About Us

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government. Help support democracy worldwide by joining our team!

About the Role

The Middle East & North Africa team seeks two Program Directors to contribute to the strategic vision, management and direction of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) team. The positions would provide senior level insight and analysis on regional developments, contribute to outreach and fundraising efforts and be responsible for oversight of the headquarters management and some program implementation of specific country and program portfolios. The Program Director position is based in Washington, DC, with some travel to the region and other locations.

Your Purpose and Impact:

• Provide overall leadership and oversight on assigned portfolios, including managing workflows to support country offices, leading fundraising for programs, and providing strategic, technical, and political insight to in-country and headquarters leadership and to program staff on relevant programming.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with US and regional policymakers, as well as government, academic, political party, civil society, diplomatic, and legislative contacts.
• Lead regional staff in the development and execution of outreach and communication strategies with donors, government agencies, legislatures, and other stakeholders.
• Undertake fundraising efforts to secure private and governmental funding for programs, including developing and nurturing donor contacts and relations, identifying sources of funding, leading and finalizing proposal processes, and negotiating grants and contributions.
• Provide strategic direction and senior-management monitoring of budgets, grants, and expenditures for assigned portfolios.
• Leverage regional knowledge, relationships, and political insights to provide strategic advice and counsel to program staff across portfolios, and identify areas of programmatic growth and expansion, as appropriate.
• Advise country representatives, country teams, lower-level staff, and other team colleagues on NDI and donor policies.
• Lead recruiting processes and onboarding and training as required for lower-level portfolio staff, and actively nurture and mentor staff in professional development.
• Represent the Institute at international and national venues to contribute substantively to policy discussions on foreign assistance and political developments in the MENA region.
• Undertake special projects as assigned by the Regional Director and/or Deputy Regional Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, international relations or a related field
• At least 10 years of substantive political experience, including direct work for political parties, elected officials and/or legislaturesExperience working in a multicultural work environment and promoting staff development
• Knowledge of the MENA region, underlying political contexts and dynamics, policy frameworks and active political players
• Demonstrated experience in successful fundraising from government, foundation and private donors
• Knowledge of and ability to provide oversight and strategic direction for fulfilling donor requirements and regulations in financial management, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting
• Experience in managing complex programs in fluid political environments
• Demonstrated ability to conduct and apply sophisticated political analysis to programmatic activities
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to develop and maintain professional political relationships
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior political and civic leaders as well as members of the donor and diplomatic community
• Experience in developing and implementing effective communication and outreach strategies for a variety of audiences
• Strong oral and written communication skills; fluency in English required; French and/or Arabic fluency highly desired
• Seasoned project financial management skills
• Working knowledge of Google Apps suite, PC-based word processing, database and spreadsheet applications

What We Offer:

We offer an environment committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a core part of our culture. We strive to foster empowerment and belonging as these values are central to our mission and to our impact. We believe that diversity in thought helps us solve the complex problems we face around the globe.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, a generous PTO policy, flexible schedules, and a 10% employer contribution to the retirement pension.

This position offers an anticipated salary range of approximately $98,600 – $123,200.

Additional Information:

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environment and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA, or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). 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. As an equal opportunity employer, NDI encourages individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans or veterans with service-connected disabilities, to apply.

If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department at Human_Resources_team@ndi.org. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.