Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire a Program Manager to provide programmatic and operational leadership to DI’s Global and Rapid Response Programs (GRRP) team. The program manager will work across a dynamic portfolio of programs, including:

• Justice, Rights, and Security - Rapid Response Activity (JRS-RRA or JURIS), 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.

Experience managing USAID-funded programs is required, and a passion for democracy, human rights and governance is a must. They may be expected to travel between 15 and 30% of their time, depending on program 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.

 
Essential Job Duties:

• As a leader of the GRRP team, contribute to the strategic direction and growth of the team
• Ensure 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 oversight for purchasing, grants, finance, personnel, project management, and general operations.
• Support the management of the JRS-RRA consortium, including the development of consortium-wide processes and procedures, internal and external communications; facilitating the start-up and close-out of JURIS interventions.
• Support the administration and institutional positioning of DI on IDIQs such as Programming for Prevention and Peacebuilding (P4P2), Compliance and Capacity Support for Diverse Partnership (CCSDP), and Central America Regional Support Services (CARSS)
• Oversee select headquarters-managed global, regional, or country programs
• Ensure compliance with client and DI policies and procedures;
• Lead the design and drafting of concept notes and proposals for rapid response activities in response to USAID requests for JRS-RRA support and DI-identified interventions
• Oversee the deployment of short-term technical assistance and supporting local project coordinators or other regionally or locally hired implementation teams. Provide hands-on management and capacity building support to Program Officers, Program Associates, and Program Assistants; contribute to the leadership and vision of the entire GRRP team
• Lead program financial management by creating annual and monthly financial projections, tracking expenses, and reporting to senior leadership on program spending trends;
• Lead the integration of the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Framework into programs in partnership with field team counterparts, including pause-and-reflect sessions and work planning;
• Critically review and substantively contribute to technical deliverables, including after action reviews, work plans; review internal reports, success stories, and quarterly, monthly, biweekly reports, ensuring high quality and strategic direction;
• Provide creative solutions and exercise sound judgement in tackling challenges and work closely with DI’s leadership to improve processes and build on successes
• Contribute to the development of DI policies and practices designed for unique and challenging programs that may not fit the mold of standard international development assistance.

 
Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum of eight years of project support and oversight with increasing management responsibility;
• Experience managing and supporting USAID-funded programs required;
• Master's degree in international relations, public policy, political science, or a related field;

Supervisory experience;

• Highly organized and able to prioritize multiple tasks and meet dynamic client deadlines;
• Knowledge and experience in democracy, governance, human rights and/or international development;
• Experience writing project proposals, work plans, and program reports;
• Experience writing scopes or work and managing grants and subawards;
• Experience developing and managing budgets, and knowledge of basic budget and accounting procedures;
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel and members of donor organizations;
• Experience living and working outside the U.S.;
• Proficiency with MS Office;
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender are essential requirements;
• Ability to travel internationally for work;
• Fluency in English and excellent writing and communications skills; and
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

 
Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience managing grants to non-US nongovernmental organizations.
• Fluency in languages other than English (French, Arabic, or Russian preferred)
• Experience supporting protection and security of local civil society partners and human rights defenders a significant plus

 
Reporting:

• This position reports to the Director   of Global and Rapid Response Programs
• Direct Program Reports may include: Program Management Officer I/II, Program Management Associate/Assistant.
   

Environmental Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, printers, and moderate traffic).
• Ability to work in a confined office space/area.
• Ability to sit and/or stand at a computer desk for an extended period of time.
• Ability to travel on long plane flights across several time zones and at irregular hours.

 
Physical Requirements Required to Perform Essential Responsibilities:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to;

• Stand, sit; talk, hear, use of hands and fingers, and perform repetitive motions to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
• Reach, stoop, or kneel, to adjust computer and/or telephone equipment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
• Hearing abilities required due to telephone.
• Light to moderate lifting is possible.
• Travel will require moderate lifting, sitting for extended periods of time, overnight flights across multiple time zones.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required; as business demands dictate.

Democracy International is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its employment process for individuals with disabilities to meet any and all physical requirements of our jobs.

 
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.