Program Associate, Bogota, Colombia

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Program Associate provides administrative, financial, and logistical support for one or more designated projects. Working closely with the in-country and LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) staff in Washington D.C., this position will support in the day-to-day operations and planning and implementing project activities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Support the timely and thorough execution of activity implementation by performing administrative (e.g., invoice processing, data entry, travel scheduling, and meeting coordination, etc.) and programmatic assignments in accordance with established expectations and timelines.
• Assist in monitoring project implementation (activities, expenses, and data collection) of subrecipients. Contribute to identifying and reporting progress, challenges, and opportunities.
• Assist in management of partnerships with subrecipients during all stages of grant cycle (proposal, implementation, and close-out).
• Develop effective professional relationships with subrecipients and other local partner organizations.
• Schedule and arrange meetings, events, and liaise with internal and external contacts appropriately and under supervision. Maintain program files, folders, and databases for secure and easy access and retrieval.
• Complete basic desk research, if required, and provide summarized findings concisely and understandable, with objectives, relevant facts, data, and conclusions presented as necessary.
• Support the planning, logistics, and execution of team meetings and events with external parties in compliance with host country requirements, Freedom House policies, and donor regulations. Attend meetings as required to provide onsite support or as a development opportunity. Prepare meetings notes and other meeting materials for the supervisor.
• Attend outside meetings and events as requested and prepare notes for the supervisor.
• Provide weekly updates on project activities to LAC in-country team and bi-weekly updates to Washington D.C. staff in consultation with the supervisor.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development, law, public policy, political science, public administration, human rights, or similar field.
• Previous internships in a relevant field are desired.
• Fluency in Spanish is a must.
• Fluency in English is preferred.
• Familiarity with human rights or democracy-related issues in Latin America is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• At least two years of relevant professional experience in civil society strengthening, governance, community mobilization, or human rights programs in Colombia.
• Experience working with grant/cooperative agreements, including USG funding, is desired.
• Experience in working and coordinating with international and national NGOs and government agencies is desired.
• Ability and willingness to frequently travel to project sites within Colombia.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of the political, economic, and social context of Latin America, especially regarding human rights, inclusion, and migration context.
• Ability to apply superb attention to detail and consistently produce timely and error-free work.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in Spanish, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English, verbally and in writing.
• Excellent research, analytical, writing, and organizational skills.
• Strong ability to apply interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of basic accounting principles and grant-related compliance requirements.
• Mastery of MS Office Suite, with experience developing and managing budgets in Excel.
• Ability to always maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work.
• Ability to successfully work in a diverse and multicultural environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong ability to prioritize work and multitask to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexible and adaptable with a good sense of humor and positive attitude.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

General Working Conditions:

• General working office environment. With the possibility of remote work, depending on public health conditions and regulations.
• Some long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks or attend events.
• Travel to event sites and field offices at least 15% of the time.
• Exposed to outside weather conditions when required to attend event venues or travel.
• May involve work in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure, and in countries under U.S. travel advisory due to threats of terrorist attacks, civil unrest, kidnappings, disease outbreaks, etc.

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary, regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; constantly talk, hear and understand speech at normal levels using a telephone. Occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend over, reach overhead, use hands, wrists, and fingers, to grasp, push, pull, move, handle, feel, and type. Constantly required to use close vision and distance vision for regular computer work. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. to waist height.

How to apply

https://phe.tbe.taleo.net/phe01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=FREEHOUS&cws=39&rid=1303