Program Assistant, Global and Rapid Reponse Programs - United States

Job Description

Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire a Program Assistant, Global and Rapid Response Programs. The program assistant may work across a dynamic portfolio of programs, including:

• Justice, Rights, and Security – Rapid Response Activity (JRS-RRA), a global rapid response program designed to respond to urgent needs and windows of opportunity related to justice, human rights, and security with short-term, high-impact initiatives.
• IDIQ management, including working to position DI institutionally to respond to task orders related to local capacity development, peacebuilding, rapid deployment and response, and analytical services.
• Headquarters-managed global, regional, or country programs, including programs with unique management needs and sensitivities.

It is currently envisioned that this role will be primarily responsible for supporting the administrative and operational needs of the JRS-RRA activity. However, the Program Management Assistant may be reassigned or asked to contribute to or move to other programs depending on organizational needs.

This role will be based in DI’s home office in Bethesda, Maryland. We will only consider applicants who are based in the DMV area and able to work in-office on a hybrid schedule (in-person M, T, W).

Essential Job Duties:

• Support the effective implementation of the JRS-RRA mechanism and management of discrete justice, human rights, and security rapid response activities conducted around the world.
• Provide administrative support on IDIQs, including but not limited to Programming for Prevention and Peacebuilding (P4P2), Compliance and Capacity Support for Diverse Partnership (CCSDP), and Central America Regional Support Services (CARSS), and Analytical Services IV (ASIV)
• Provide administrative support for headquarters-managed global, regional, or country programs
• Facilitate the deployment of short-term technical assistance and supporting local project coordinators or other regionally or locally hired implementation teams. Serve as administrative point of contact for submission of invoices, deliverables, etc.
• With oversight from the PO, conduct vetting and due diligence for subgrantees; serve as administrative point of contact for submission of deliverables and payment requests, etc.
• Support the design and drafting of concept notes and proposals for rapid response activities in response to USAID requests for JURIS support and DI-identified interventions, including conducting background research, as well as budget and budget narrative development.
• Ensuring timely submission of invoices and milestones from vendors and grantees and contribute to expense reconciliation;
• Support tracking of project finances, correspondence, and deliverable deadlines;
• Substantively contribute to, draft sections of, and/or edit reports, work plans, and other deliverables.
• Support program compliance with relevant USAID regulations and mission orders;
• Supporting the development of annual work plans, quarterly, monthly, and biweekly reports;
• International travel required, expected to be 10-15% of time.
  
  

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, public policy, political science, or a related field. Master’s Preferred.
• Excellent writing and editing skills
• Demonstrated applicable experience or one to two years’ professional experience in project support and oversight, ideally in supporting USAID-funded programs abroad.
• Highly organized and able to prioritize multiple tasks and meet dynamic client deadlines.
• Knowledge and experience in elections, politics, governance, and/or international development is desired.
• Very comfortable with Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience with budgets a plus

Fluency in English and excellent writing and communications skills required. Professional proficiency in one or more additional languages is highly desired, particularly Arabic, French, Spanish, or Russian.

Reporting:

• This position will report to the Program Manager, Global and Rapid Response Programs.
  
  

Application Process:

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is identified. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The starting salary range for the Program Assistant, Global and Rapid Response Programs position is $41,000 - $52,000 commensurate with experience. DI will only contact candidates of interest.

All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application. DI will not sponsor applicants for work Visa.

Democracy International maintains the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

About the Organization

DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80+ countries.

DI welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.