Senior Advisor: Political Parties

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is seeking a Senior Advisor to support, develop, and strengthen NDI’s political party programs. The Political Parties Team’s primary mission is to support the regional teams in the design, implementation, and evaluation of political party programs, including: participatory policy development; political outreach; meaningful inclusion of women, young people, and other marginalized groups in party processes; and campaign organizing. The Senior Advisor shall also provide the Institute with broad guidance in designing and leading cross-cutting global programs initiated and led by NDI that could include a variety of different fields such as closing space, polarization, party integrity, and new movement-based parties.

Position summary:

The incumbent will offer senior level insight and strategic direction, working closely with staff from multiple regional and functional teams. A well-qualified candidate will have demonstrated leadership in and possess deep knowledge of the impacts of political parties, party programming, and policy development. Our ideal candidate will have experience from and knowledge about challenges political parties face with global democratic backsliding, and how corruption, authoritarianism, indifference to voters, and opaque party organizations have undermined public confidence in political parties. The candidate will have the ability to conduct and coordinate research, plan and administer program activities, oversee finances, develop project reports, and lead administrative and manager responsibilities. This position will design and execute NDI programs and support NDI partners and teams. The position will be based in Washington, D.C.

Essential Accountabilities/Responsibilities:

Adhere to NDI’s organizational values, standards of conduct, policies and processes, and any other established expectations for NDI employees, including those related to performance, i.e. goals and position description accountabilities/responsibilities such as those presented herein.

● Leads program design on global cross-cutting and/or multi-regional proposals that focus on political parties, party programming and policy development, in close collaboration with relevant regional and functional teams, and oversees implementation of respective funded proposals;

● Coordinates project planning and implementation, ensuring NDI is meeting stated program goals;

● Oversees the development, review and timely submission of program-related materials, including regular reports that measure and evaluate program results; from regional and functional teams:

● Monitors assigned programs annual budget, and provides a full, accurate and timely accounting of all funds;

● Manages subordinates including conducting yearly performance reviews, coaching on performance, managing timesheets and other administrative tasks.

Required Qualifications:

Education

● Undergraduate degree in a field of study related to international development required, and graduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, law, or related field preferred;

Experience

● A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in democracy assistance programs, in particular on strengthening democratic norms and political party development; and a total of at least fourteen (14 years) of professional experience in international development;

● Demonstrated inter-cultural capacity and awareness with prior relevant experience field work experience performed in-country is highly desired;

● Strong analytical approaches to problem solving combined with practical on-the ground program development and implementation; experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, and program evaluation;

● Experience conducting research projects;

● Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary organization, collaborating with colleagues across teams for joint program design, monitoring and implementation;

● Proven capacity to meet program goals while managing financial, administrative, and security responsibilities;

● Superior oral and written communications skills to effectively present information in a clear and persuasive manner in English;

● Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications; experience with Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.) strongly desired;

● Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint; knowledge of Google Suite tools preferred.

Supervisory Responsibilities

● This position manages direct reports based in Washington, D.C.