Senior Program Associate

Description:

The Senior Program Associate provides support for multiple aspects of implementation of a program portfolio focused on a particular diaspora community, including administrative, financial, research, reporting, new project development and logistical matters. Among other projects, the individual will contribute to programs focused on youth empowerment and cultural preservation. This position is based in Washington, D.C. and reports to the Asia Program Manager or a Senior Program Officer.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Project implementation support: Provide programmatic, logistical, financial, and administrative support for current projects. This includes, but is not limited to: overseeing and administering program finances (including field office drawdown requests and budget tracking and forecasting to ensure compliant spending), monitoring sub-grantee spending and providing accurate updates to the supervisor, tracking program progress along indicators, connecting field data collection and analysis with HQ systems and learning objectives, assisting with identifying and drafting contracts for consultants and vendors, editing program reports, and maintaining communication with partners and other external actors as requested.
• Technical support: Support proposal development processes, including conducting desk research, contributing to theory of change and logic model development, drafting elements of proposals (such as gender analyses, MEL plans, risk analyses, etc.), and drafting budgets. Support implementation of programs, and engage with local staff to contribute to work planning, implementing and development or adaptation of program activities.
• Tracking regional developments: Monitor key developments related to democratic governance in the relevant regions, including political developments, elections, status of relevant legislation, and adherence to human rights norms. From time to time, contribute to Freedom House research, analysis, and advocacy efforts, including drafting blog posts or other analytical pieces and organizing events.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, International Relations, regional/area studies, or other social science or related fields
• Understanding of international democracy, human rights, and justice programs and approaches. Knowledge of international human rights principles and mechanisms a plus
• 1-3 years of relevant professional experience
• Direct experience in democracy and human rights and USG granting is a plus
• Work or lived experience in Central Asia a plus
• Experience managing budgets and tracking expenditures
• Experience drafting or editing reports
• Experience with or knowledge of grant management or USG programs is strongly preferred

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing
• Mastery of MS Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Demonstrated experience managing and creating budgets in Excel
• Ability to apply accurate and strong database and records management skills
• Strong ability to independently plan, organize, prioritize work, and multitask to meet tight deadlines
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to consistently produce timely and error-free work
• Skilled collaborator and ability to work as an effective team member
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work, at all times

Attributes and Characteristics:

• Eagerness to think creatively about complex challenges
• Willingness to reflect, learn, and adapt
• Strong cross-cultural communications
• Desire to champion democracy and human rights
• Committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion in all aspects of work
• Ethical conduct and ability to model integrity to colleagues
• High professional standards and takes responsibility for quality of work
• Understanding of personal strengths and areas for growth; continuously build knowledge and skills
• Manage competing tasks on tight deadlines; know when to ask for assistance
• Team oriented and thrives in a vibrant, collegial work atmosphere

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Salary range: $52,000 – $56,000, depending on experience
• Employees currently work remotely; Freedom House anticipates transitioning to a hybrid model in the future
• Applications requesting remote work will be given equal consideration
• Exposure to sometimes graphic information regarding sensitive issues such as human rights violations, violent extremism, torture, and sexual and gender based-violence
• Some long hours, including morning, evenings and weekends, to complete tasks or attend meetings and events
• Travel within Washington, D.C. and occasional travel outside of the U.S. may be required