Program Officer/Senior Program Officer, Southern and West Africa

Job Description

The Program Officer/Senior Program Officer provides implementation support for all headquarters aspects of the Southern and West Africa portfolio, including backstopping project implementation and administration; providing input into/feedback on relevant tools, resources, and project deliverables; facilitating efficient and compliant financial management; supporting field staff, consultants, and partners on administrative issues; contributing to monitoring, evaluation, and learning; and identifying funding opportunities and participating in proposal development. Among other projects, the Program Officer will oversee a regional human rights initiative across Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries and a human rights program in Burkina Faso. This position is based in Washington, D.C. and reports to the Africa Program Manager. Professional working knowledge of French is required.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Award implementation: Support all aspects of program implementation, including work plan development, identifying and managing consultants and sub-grantees, organizing workshops, meetings, and events, drafting and finalizing program reports, and participating in communications with donor counterparts. Manage monitoring, evaluation and learning processes, connecting field data collection and analysis with HQ systems and learning objectives. Oversee program finances including field office drawdown requests and budget tracking and forecasting to ensure compliant and efficient spending (and no over-spending). Maintain regular communications and strong working relationships with Freedom House offices based in Southern and West Africa.
• Proposal development: Support proposal development processes including contributing to theory of change and logic model development, drafting elements of proposals and creating budgets.
• Networking and relationship management: Develop effective professional relationships with a range of external actors, including peer organizations, donors, partners, and grantees. Represent Freedom House to external audiences at meetings and events.
• 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 blogs or other analytical pieces.
• Personnel management: Oversee day-to-day work of a Program Associate/Senior Program Associate in order to effectively share and execute administrative, backstopping and financial management responsibilities

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, international development, or related field; Master’s degree preferred

Experience:

• Three to five years of related work experience (four to six years for Senior Program Officer); at least one year of cumulative experience overseas (in the relevant region) is preferred
• Professional working knowledge of French required
• Knowledge of and commitment to the cause of advancing human rights and democracy
• Understanding of political, social and rights dynamics across Southern and West Africa preferred
• Deep understanding of USG funding processes, budget forms, rules, and regulations; at least two years’ experience working on USG-funded programs including creating and managing USG budgets and implementing monitoring and evaluation plans strongly preferred
• Experience developing and drafting USG funding proposals preferred
• Experience supervising junior staff preferred

Skills and Competencies:

• Knowledge of international human rights principles and mechanisms, and understanding of international democracy promotion
• Proven ability to multitask and manage time effectively to meet competing deadlines and manage priorities
• Strong ability to develop, analyze, and manage USG program budgets; facility in budget management
• Astute political judgment and strategic thinking; excellent judgment in problem solving and decision making
• Ability to conduct research and apply strong analytical skills
• Mastery of MS Office Suite
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to persuade and facilitate cooperation between individuals with divergent views and to collaborate with others and successfully work as an effective team member
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work
• Ability to represent Freedom House professionally in conduct and personal appearance
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to consistently produce timely and error-free work under tight deadlines
• Excellent timekeeping, attendance, and time management, and ability to work flexible schedule and be available outside of normal business hours for emergency work purposes
• Ability to adhere to and work within strict guidelines and procedures
• Ability to effectively work remotely and maintain productively with minimal oversight

Attributes and Characteristics:

• Eagerness to think creatively about complex challenges
• Willingness to reflect, learn, and adapt
• Strong cross-cultural communication skills
• Exhibit strong and sustained commitment to the mission of Freedom House
• Commitment 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 builds knowledge and skills
• Manage competing tasks on tight deadlines; know when to ask for assistance
• Able to work on sensitive issues such as human rights violations, violent extremism, torture
• Team oriented and thrives in a vibrant, collegial work atmosphere

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• General working office environment
• Some long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks or attend events
• Travel within Washington, D.C.; occasional travel outside of the U.S. may be required (less than 20% of time)

Disclaimer : This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

Qualified and Interested Applicants:

We invite qualified candidates to complete an online application and submit a resume and cover letter.

Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.

Only candidates authorized to work in the U.S. without any restrictions need apply.

EOE M/F/D/V

About the Organization

Freedom House is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people; the rule of law prevails; and freedoms of expression, association, and belief, as well as respect for the rights of women, minorities and historically marginalized groups, are guaranteed.

We speak out against the main threats to democracy and empower citizens to exercise their fundamental rights through a unique combination of analysis, advocacy, and direct support to frontline defenders of freedom, especially those working in closed authoritarian societies. Founded in 1941, Freedom House was the first American organization to champion the advancement of freedom globally. Working as an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom and democracy around the world, Freedom House is notable for its nonpartisan character and commitment to maintaining support for its mission among members of both major US political parties.