Program Officer/Senior Program Officer

The Program Officer (3-5 year of related work experience) / Senior Program Officer (6-8 year of related work experience) provides implementation support for all headquarters aspects of the relevant regional team 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. This position is based in Washington, D.C. and reports to a senior program manager for the Latin America and the Caribbean team 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. Participate in monitoring and evaluation processes, and track and document program activities and impact to ensure project objectives are met. Manage program finances including sub-grants and ongoing budget tracking and forecasting to ensure compliant spend-down (and no over-spending) of budgets. Proposal development: Identify new funding opportunities and conduct research to enable relevant regional team to develop new programs. Support proposal development process for programs including drafting of elements of proposals (including budgets). Networking and relationship management: Develop effective professional relationships with a range of external actors, including peer organizations, donors, the diplomatic community, congressional staff, partners, and grantees. Represent Freedom House to external audiences at meetings and events; speak articulately about Freedom House's mission and regional programming as necessary. Tracking regional developments: Monitor key developments related to democratic governance in the relevant region, 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 for the Program Officer and six to eight years of related work experience for the Senior Program Officer; at least one year of experience overseas (in the relevant region) is preferred
Strong ability to communicate effectively in Spanish, both verbally and in writing
Knowledge of and commitment to the cause of advancing human rights and democracy
Understanding of political, social and rights dynamics in Latin America, knowledge of the Cuba context strongly
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 strongly preferred
Experience supervising junior staff preferred

Skills and Competencies:

Astute political judgment and strategic thinking; excellent judgment in problem solving and decision making
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 (including use of Excel)
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