Description

About Us

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. Help support democracy worldwide by joining our team!

About the Role

The Program Officer, Democracy & Technology will assist with information integrity and disinformation-related projects. The incumbent will support the Democracy and Technology team in its work on these issues through writing, program development and management, contract support, budgeting, communications, research, and other activities in collaboration with staff and partners around the world.

Your Purpose and Impact:

• Serve as the primary tracker of changes to social media platforms--and related developments that impact our partners, reviewing and analyzing developments, reporting and advising staff who manage those relationships and engaging with NDI's community of democracy and governance partners.

• Serve as the primary support for NDI’s efforts on democracy and technology network building. This includes establishing and maintaining communication among the community regarding updates and activities; conducting outreach to prospective member organizations; facilitating convenings; managing the onboarding process for new members; and advising partner organizations on strategies to ensure a democratic information space.

• Support the development of overall strategy for NDI’s information space approach and advocate for NDI and partner requests through engagement with technology companies and advisory bodies.

• Contribute to developing program concepts, facilitating strategic discussions and reviewing and contributing to program proposals and budgets for democracy and technology related programming across the Institute.

• Collaborate across teams to develop materials for and train staff on democracy and technology programming and relevant practice areas

• Serve as a resource and provide general guidance to Project Assistants and Program Associates on basic programmatic procedures and tasks.

• Contribute to the development of detailed work plans to ensure achievement of assigned program(s) objective(s) and expected outcomes, including the establishment of actions to be taken, the required resources (time, funding, staffing, etc.), a schedule/timeline for the actions required, and specific measures/metrics for evaluation at completion.

• Execute required components of established program plans, and perform programmatic assignments in accordance with established expectations and timelines. Monitor progress, identifying problems and barriers and making recommendations to management for necessary adjustments to ensure successful, quality outcomes.

• Collaborate with team leadership, other team members, and as required across other teams in the development of democracy and technology program concepts and content for proposals, ensuring alignment with broader institutional strategies and approaches. Support the identification and documentation of successful democracy and technology processes/programs, as well as areas where improvements can be made for the establishment/execution of future programs.

• Conduct relevant democracy and technology analysis to determine potential impacts of programmatic work related to program-specific initiatives, plans, and/or problems, as well as review of data and metrics associated with program progress. Draw conclusions and present findings in a concise and understandable manner with related recommendations for any proposed actions to be taken.

• Draft assigned communications in adherence to specific guidance on democracy and technology issues, and substance direction, to include board memos, briefing memos, reports (e.g. quarterly) or portions thereof, work plans, proposals, and presentations, ensuring proper and accurate formatting, spelling, and grammar usage as well as inclusion of required content. Review/edit related drafts prepared by Program Associates and Project Assistants, as required.

• Create and monitor budgets, grants and expenditures for assigned programs, with particular focus on those for larger or complex programs covering multiple field offices. Maintain budget-related notes/documentation and ensure completion of reconciliations and proper application of allowable costs according to restrictions, structures, and established mechanisms/processes. Work to ensure adherence to budget limitations and anticipate/address overages, implementing solutions to budget variances with input/agreement from higher-level team members as necessary. Implement and manage all aspects of subgrants.

• Establish, foster and maintain relationships with field staff, funding agency representatives, and overseas partners to ensure successful program implementation and execution and to articulate new funding proposals and concepts. Brief and/or collaborate to provide briefings to specific country political, civic and business leaders, donor organizations and members of the international community about NDI activities and positively influence and gain needed action for programmatic success.

• Serve as the point-of-contact for assigned programs, and interact regularly with relevant field offices to support programmatic work and allow for the monitoring and measurement of progress against plans and timing/preparations for required assessments. Act as a liaison with selected members of NGO, funding and Washington policymaking communities, as required.

• Provide support for local and regional program conferences, workshops and meetings and organize, as required, cross-functional workshops. Attend and/or represent NDI at selected external events/meetings.

• Conduct onsite field visits to facilitate/leverage programmatic work through actions such as organizing and/or conducting assessments (e.g. political, new opportunities, adherence to plans, etc.), developing assistance programs, and implementing and/or delivering training programs. Organize delegations abroad, as required.

• Establish relationships and maintain a network of potential international training resources, volunteers, and field representatives.

• 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.

• Support onboarding and training for Project Assistants and Program Associates as required. Participate in interview processes, as needed.

• Act as a back-up to other team members as needed.

• Participate on cross-functional teams and initiatives as needed.

• Actively seek and engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge in project/program management, and maintain a general working knowledge of relevant program trends and issues occurring external to NDI.

• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in Information and Computer Science, International Relations, Political Science, Communications, Marketing, English, Journalism, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• An advanced degree or work towards one in or a relevant discipline is a plus.

• Three years of relevant work experience in international-development, community organizing and management, political campaigns, communications and social media management, project coordination or operations, or related technology fields.

• Internships in one or more of these listed areas also may count as relevant work experience. An advanced degree or work towards one in a relevant discipline may be substituted for required years of experience on a one-for-one basis.

• Prior relevant international field work experience performed in-country and/or completion of one or more semesters of education abroad is highly desired.

• Basic knowledge and competence in one or more of NDI’s international development disciplines, e.g. political campaigns, elections, community organizing, technology/innovation, etc.

• Knowledge of basic budget development/management and accounting processes along with math skills and the ability to perform accurate calculations and understand quantitative information.

• Strong analytical and judgment skills for identifying problems, drawing conclusions, determining options for resolution, and recommending next steps.

• Negotiation skills and the ability to be innovative and creative in finding ways to resolve issues and secure necessary support and resources for achieving programmatic goals.

• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively and diplomatically with individuals at all levels of the organization, as well as externally both domestically and internationally with NDI partners, funders, and other stakeholders.

• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and taking information in writing, in person, and through various communication media. The ability to present to varying sized audiences in a manner that influences and drives understanding is highly desired.

• An attention-to-detail, with a propensity to complete work accurately and with a focus on quality.

• Action-oriented with a high level of initiative and an advanced level of proficiency in the ability to multitask and prioritize; manage time, perform project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills; and flexibility to adapt and respond to shifting priorities.

• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team.

• Ability to apply discretion and maintain confidential information.

• Ability to travel internationally.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint; knowledge of/proficiency in Google Suite tools preferred. Basic database skills are desired.

• Experience launching community initiatives (e.g. building an online forum, creating an event series, maintaining a company blog or writing an email newsletter) preferred

• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of DC-based and international staff, technology platforms, the democracy and technology community, partner organizations, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders and policy makers

• Experience or demonstrated interest in working on tech facilitated gender based violence as well as on gender and inclusion issues is a plus

• Experience with Slack, Facebook, and X essential; proficiency in social media analytics, knowledge of Giphy, Hootsuite, Mentionlytics, NodeXL, Newswhip, or similar programs preferred

• Web and graphic design experience preferred

• International, tech company, political, governmental, or activist experience is a bonus.

• Demonstrated experience effectively communicating in written and oral form on technical information space topics to a range of audiences

• Experience managing or studying Crowdtangle is a plus

What We Offer:

We offer an environment committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a core part of our culture. We strive to foster empowerment and belonging as these values are central to our mission and to our impact. We believe that diversity in thought helps us solve the complex problems we face around the globe.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, a generous PTO policy, flexible schedules, and a 10% employer contribution to the retirement pension.

This position offers an anticipated salary range of approximately $62,800 - $78,500.

Additional Information:

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environment and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA, or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, NDI encourages individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans or veterans with service-connected disabilities, to apply.

If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department at HumanResourcesteam@ndi.org. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)