Temporary Senior Program Officer - Africa

Freedom House promotes the spread of freedom and democracy around the world through research, effective advocacy, and programs that support frontline activists.  We are a leader in identifying threats to freedom through our highly regarded analytic reports, including Freedom in the World, Freedom of the Press, Freedom on the Net, Nations in Transit, and Countries at the Crossroads.  With 13 field offices and two U.S. offices, we support the right of every individual to be free.

Position Summary
The temporary Senior Program Officer will assist in designing and managing all program aspects for the Africa regional portfolio to include strategic program design, oversight of program activities, fundraising, backstopping field offices, staff supervision, financial management, monitoring and evaluation, advocacy, and outreach. This ten-week position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Director for Africa Programs.

Some Duties and Responsibilities

• Design, manage, and supervise all program aspects of multiple grants including work plan development, identifying consultants and sub-grantees, organizing trainings and other activities, monitoring and evaluation, budget management, reporting, and backstopping field offices
• Collaborate with field staff and manage all activities to ensure that programmatic objectives are met, and are in compliance with both FH and funder requirements
• Coordinate and produce proposals as assigned, ensuring that proposals meet funder specifications and deadlines; draft narrative reports to funders
• Proactively conduct research for new business development and funding sources; develop partnerships with key organizations and donors liaising with them during key stages of the proposal development process
• Contribute to and participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, donors or relevant audiences as authorized
• Develop effective professional relationships with partner organizations, and assist them in increasing their capacity to meet objectives, and more effectively implement their own programs as assigned
• Develop and maintain relationships with the donor and diplomatic community, congressional staff, partners and grantees, policy community, and other NGOs and think tanks
• Manage program finances including analysis, budget monitoring and projections in full compliance with Freedom House and funder requirements
• Represent the Program Director at high level meetings as needed
• Other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in political science, international relations, human rights, international development, or related field
• Minimum 6 – 8 years of directly related experience with 2 years of experience as a lead or supervisor
• Strong 4 – 6  years track record in writing winning proposals, fundraising, and donor cultivation
• At least  two years of experience  living and/or working in Africa strongly preferred
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing to a variety of audiences
• Ability to communicate effectively in French is strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of human rights principles and mechanisms, and understanding of democracy promotion, with a focus on Africa
• Mastery of MS Office Suite, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Proven ability to write effective reports, procedures, complete required forms, and maintain complete and accurate documentation
• Strong knowledge of USG and international donor funding sources
• Strong knowledge of financial management, developing budgets, and grants-related compliance requirements
• Strong ability to plan, organize, prioritize work, and multi task to meet tight deadlines under pressure
• Strong ability to deal with and negotiate conflict effectively
• Ability to consistently apply good judgment in problem solving and decision making
• Strong ability to initiate, foster, interact, and maintain relationships with contacts and stakeholders in a diverse and multicultural environment, with sensitivity and a high degree of courtesy, discretion, tact, and professionalism
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work at all times

Qualified and Interested applicants
We invite qualified candidates to send a resume, and cover letter with salary history and desired salary (only candidates who send salary requirements will be considered for the position) to: recruiting@freedomhouse.org or fax at  (202) 822-3893, Attention: HR Dept., referencing 2012-130 Temp SPO Africa. 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