Program Officer, Colombia

The Program Officer provides support in planning, designing, implementing, and executing one or more designated projects. Working closely with in-country and LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) leadership in Washington D.C., this position leads in monitoring political developments, managing program partnerships, and identifying new areas of work.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Monitor, analyze, and report on key developments related to Freedom House Colombia and the Conectando Caminos por los Derechos activity with support from and supervision of Freedom House’s In-country Manager. Anticipate potential impacts on programming and offers mitigation measures.
• Manage and supervise design, planning, and oversight of project activity implementation.
• Provide LAC leadership with information and analysis for the preparation of project timelines, work plans, monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) submissions, quarterlies and other ad-hoc reports.
• Independently establish, manage, and grow partnerships with a large number of subrecipients complex in scope during all stages of grant cycle (proposal, implementation and close-out).
• Independently monitor and support project implementation (activities, expenses, and data collection) of subrecipients related to the approved proposal package. Identify and report progress, challenges, and opportunities; when problems are anticipated, communicate it to senior staff, and offer potential solutions and leadership in implementing them if appropriate.
• Timely and thoroughly execute activity implementation by performing administrative (e.g., invoice processing, data entry, travel scheduling, and meeting coordination, etc.) and programmatic assignments in accordance with established expectations and timelines.
• Contribute to and support aspects of the proposal development process for new funding opportunities, including the development of new project ideas.
• Support operations of field office and programming as appropriate to ensure compliance with host country requirements, Freedom House policies, and donor regulations. Foster strong colla boration and coordination with the grants management team to facilitate subaward monitoring processes and the implementation phase.
• Develop and maintain effective professional relationships with external stakeholders, including donors, international cooperation partners, other implementing organizations, grantees, and local partner organizations. Assist with communication outreach to other organizations and partners
• Represent Freedom House and its work in Colombia to external audiences at meetings and events; speak articulately about Freedom House’s mission and programming as necessary.
• Support knowledge management, linkages and exchange of learnings and best practices across program activities and project teams.
• Regularly coordinate with LAC leadership and staff in Washington D.C.
• Schedule and arrange meetings, events, and liaise with internal and external contacts appropriately and under supervision. Maintain program files, folders, and databases for secure and easy access and retrieval.
• Other related duties as assigned.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, law, public policy, political science, public administration or human rights.
• Masters on related field or its equivalent in additional experience is desired.

Experience:

• At least four years of relevant professional experience in civil society strengthening, governance, community mobilization, or human rights programs in Colombia.
• Experience managing grant/cooperative agreements, including USG funding, is a highly desired.
• Experience in working and coordinating with international and national NGOs and government agencies.
• Ability to frequently travel to project sites within Colombia.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of the political, economic, and social context of Colombia, especially regarding to human rights, inclusion, and migration context.
• Ability to apply superb attention to detail and consistently produce timely and error-free work.
• Ability to communicate in English, verbally and in writing.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong ability to apply interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles and grant-related compliance requirements.
• Mastery of MS Office Suite, with experience developing and managing budgets in Excel.
• Ability to always maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work.
• Ability to successfully work in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong ability to prioritize work and multitask to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible and adaptable with a good sense of humor and positive attitude.
• Ability to travel to event sites and field offices at least 15% of the time.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

General Working Conditions:

• General working office environment. With the possibility of remote work, depending on public health conditions and regulations.
• Some long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks or attend events.
• Travel to event sites and field offices at least 15% of the time.
• Exposed to outside weather conditions when required to attend event venues or travel.
• May involve work in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure, and in countries under U.S. travel advisory due to threats of terrorist attacks, civil unrest, kidnappings, disease outbreaks, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary, regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; constantly talk, hear and understand speech at normal levels using a telephone. Occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend over, reach overhead, use hands, wrists and fingers, to grasp, push, pull, move, handle, feel, and type. Constantly required to use close vision and distance vision for regular computer work. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. to waist height.