National Democratic Institute
Program Director – Myanmar Programs (Offshore)
The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Program Director with excellent management skills and extensive experience leading high-level program support and technical assistance in closed political and conflict environments. The Program Director will support the Country Director in providing assistance to pro-democracy political actors to sustain and build cohesive participation in political and electoral processes in Myanmar; coordinate technical assistance to civic organizations, and provide guidance to a dispersed staff. This position works closely with Washington-based management who provide strategic guidance and support for field activities. The Program Director reports to the Country Director.
The preferred placement for this position is Taipei, Taiwan with extensive travel to Thailand. NDI may consider applicants for placement in nearby time zones, such as Thailand, Malaysia, or Indonesia. NDI invites nationals across the Asia-Pacific region to apply.
Responsibilities:
- Ensure collaborative leadership and oversight of program team, ensuring accountability in the execution program activities and management of field operations and local staff based on established institutional procedures, local laws, donor regulations and best practice
- Manage local and international staff (including consultants) including hiring, performance reviews and staff development, and adherence to human resource policies;
- Work in coordination with Country Director on liaison between NDI and international donor representatives, international and local NGOs, the media, and the U.S. government representatives to lead development of new program initiatives and report on current programs,
- Report on political developments in Myanmar that may affect program outcomes to the Washington, DC-based staff on a regular basis;
- Manage the development, review, and timely submission of program-related materials, including proposals and regular reports that measure and evaluate program progress;
- Assess and coordinate appropriate security and risk management measures for the Institute’s program operations
- Oversee the proper accounting, management, and planning of multiple program budget funds including the submission of a monthly financial reconciliation to the Washington DC office;
- Ensure program compliance with donor requirements with regards to work plans and performance monitoring plans, and respect of procedures to ensure the integrity of all financial transactions
- Assist in developing fundraising strategies with donors to help raise additional funds in coordination with the NDI Washington staff
- Oversee the writing and timely submission of program activity reports, quarterly reports, monitoring and evaluation data, periodic updates on political/security developments, and other program related materials
- Collaborate with and build the capacity of NDI staff to play a substantive role in program development and implementation
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree, in international relations or a related field. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis
- A minimum of ten (10) years program management experience overseeing significant international development programs, preferably in the field of democracy and governance, and at least five in a senior leadership role
- Ability to work effectively with and build relationships with senior political and civic leaders, U.S. and foreign government personnel and policy makers, and members of donor organizations
- Substantial experience overseeing and implementing programs, managing staff, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and operations and human resources, including experience in overseeing sub-grants to local partners
- Experience with managing USAID funding projects highly desirable
- Substantial program design and management, proposal writing and financial management experience, including experience in initiating and managing sub-grants preferred
- Ability to motivate and inspire a diverse group of professionals in a challenging environment, instilling a strong sense of mission and team work to program implementation
- Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor and consultant
- Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities
- Knowledge of political processes and actors of Myanmar preferred
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required to effectively present information, respond to questions and negotiate outcomes;
- Excellent organizational, networking and managerial skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional political relationships
- Experience working in low income countries and an ability to work in a highly challenging and stressful environment
- Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations which may be remote and difficult to reach
Comments:
NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). 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. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.
PI193426147