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 National Democratic Institute of International Affairs (NDI) seeks a Resident Senior Program Director to serve as Chief of Party on a forthcoming USAID-funded program. The Senior Program Director would lead and manage a project to enhance Iraqi citizens’ trust and participation in the country’s democratic processes. The Resident Senior Program Director will also represent the project to the US and other governments, donor agencies, and local and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Close coordination with NDI’s Washington headquarters is expected, including regular contact with the Washington-based staff overseeing programs and activities. The Resident Senior Program Director will be based in Iraq and should be prepared to relocate.

This position is contingent on donor funding and the selected candidate is subject to donor approval.

Your Purpose and Impact:

• Leads the design and implementation of programming.
• Participates in program monitoring, evaluation, and learning activity. Oversees the development and timely submission of program-related materials and formal donor reporting.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with government officials, civil society groups, other implementing partners, and local/international non-governmental organizations.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with international democratic development organizations.
• Oversees and monitors assigned program’s annual budget; provides a full, accurate and timely accounting of all funds.
• Provides day-to-day management and oversight of relevant program staff in the field office; together with the DC-based regional leadership, ensures professional development of staff.
• As designated by the Resident Senior Country Director, represents NDI in external meetings and conferences with donors and other international democracy organizations.
• Coordinates NDI program activity with institutional partners.
• Ensures adherence to NDI Washington, D.C. policies and procedures, as well as to funder/donor regulations, ensuring the integrity of all financial transactions.
• Report on program activities and political developments that may affect program outcomes to the Washington, D.C.-based staff on a regular basis.
• Ensure quality control and overall adherence to donor commitments, including necessary adjustments to meet changing political and social contexts, and donor requirements.
• Oversee submission of program-related materials, including regular reports that describe activities, measure and evaluate program results, and lessons learned, as well as tell a broader story about impact. Ensure adherence to relevant and applicable policies and procedures, as well as funder/donor regulations, ensuring the integrity of all financial transactions.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for USAID, manage productive working relationships with civil society partners, relevant government bodies, and fellow implementers.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, in a related subject.
• Minimum of fourteen (14) years relevant work experience in international development, with demonstrated designing and implementing evidence-based programming aimed at supporting elections.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, donor organizations, funders, and policymakers.
• Program management, proposal writing and financial management experience required, including experience initiating and managing grants.
• Experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, and program evaluation, including adaptive program management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior political and civic leaders as well as members of the donor and diplomatic community.
• Superior oral communication and written communication skills to present information and analysis on program and politics to a variety of primary and secondary interlocutors, including donors and international organizations.
• Exceptional political judgment and analytical skills to interpret complex issues and to think innovatively and introduce new concepts.
• Professional experience in the Middle East and North Africa region is preferred.
• Experience with USAID-funded democracy and governance programs preferred.
• Knowledge of organizational development with civil society organizations.
• Demonstrated track record of results-oriented program design, strategic planning, and program evaluation, including Collaborating, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) practices.
• English oral and written fluency required.
• Arabic oral and written fluency strongly preferred.

Unaccompanied – A staff member on overseas assignment may NOT be accompanied by any dependents not working for NDI. This may change once the final location is determined.

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. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive benefits and allowance package based on the country of residency.

Additional Information:

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.

Please include a cover letter with your application.