Freedom House promotes the spread of freedom and democracy around the world through research, 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, and Nations in Transit. With 13 field offices and two U.S. offices, we support the right of every individual to be free.
Position Summary
The Program Officer – Iran will manage all aspects for a portfolio of Iran-related programs to include design through implementation, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, fundraising, advocacy, outreach, administration, and backstopping. This position will be based in Washington, DC and reports to the Senior Program Manager for Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Programs.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelors’ degree in political science, international relations, or related field; Master’s degree preferred
- Four to six years of directly related experience; One year of field experience in program region preferred
- Three years managing grants, drafting and overseeing a budget, and writing proposals
- Three years of experience in programming, democracy promotion, human rights issues, etc.
- Three years of experience identifying and analyzing complex problems and developing effective solutions
- Strong ability to communicate effectively in Farsi and English, both verbally and in writing
- Strong knowledge of human rights principles and mechanisms, and understanding of democracy promotion
- Strong understanding of history, culture, and politics of Iran
- Knowledge of campaign planning and implementation, and political and social mobilization techniques
- Proven ability to write effective proposals, reports, procedures, complete required forms and maintain complete and accurate documentation
- Proven knowledge of USG funding regulations and familiarity with US Congressional processes
- Strong program management skills from design through implementation, evaluation, and close-out
- Knowledge of accounting and financial management, and grants-related compliance requirements
- Mastery of MS Office Suite, and ability to accurately type minimum 40 words per minute
- Familiarity with new communications technology and social networking sites such as Twitter
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program needs
- Exhibit strong and sustained commitment to the mission of Freedom House
- Consistently use good judgment when dealing with all contacts and constituents
- Exhibit high work standards, adherence to procedures, and responsibility for assigned tasks
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Contribute to development of program strategy and assist in the implementation of overall strategy and vision for Freedom House’s Iran programming and other assigned areas of focus
- Monitor key developments in assigned country and thematic portfolio including elections, status of relevant legislation and human rights abuses and others, report and present findings
- Implement and manage programmatic aspects of assigned projects including work plan development, identifying consultants and sub-grantees, organizing trainings and events, and drafting program documents
- Prepare quarterly, final, and ad-hoc reports for authorized internal and external audiences
- Lead monitoring and evaluation process, track and document program activities and its impact to ensure that all grant objectives are met
- Manage program finances including sub-grant reports, in full compliance with Freedom House and funder requirements
- Track and analyze budgets for accuracy and to provide projections and forecasts to help determine work plans and programming capacity
- Produce financial documents such as reconciliations and advance requests in line with Freedom House and donor requirements
- Write contracts, MOUs, letters of agreement and other contractual documents as required
- Work with field staff and provide guidance on programmatic, financial and administrative processes
- Identify opportunities for new programs, conduct related research and facilitate assessment missions
- Coordinate proposal submission process and ensure complete, accurate and timely submission
- Speak about Freedom House programming in assigned region with donors, visiting delegations, informational interviews and other external meetings
- Develop effective professional relationships with partner organizations, assist them in increasing their capacity to meet objectives and more effectively implement their own programs
- Develop and maintain relationships with the donor and diplomatic community, congressional staff, partners and grantees, policy community, other NGOs and think tanks, as directed by supervisor
- Some long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks or attend events
- Travel to event sites and field offices less than 20% of the time
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Disclaimer: This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and that other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.
We offer great benefits including:
- Generously subsidized dental insurance
- Generously subsidized vision insurance
- Generously subsidized health insurance with three options (HMO, POS, PPO)
- 100% employer paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment
- 100% employer paid short-term disability and long-term disability insurance
- Supplemental/voluntary life insurance for employee, spouse, and child(ren)
- 403(b) Retirement Plan with generous matching funds with 2 year 100% vesting schedule
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care reimbursable expenses
- Transportation pre-tax payroll deduction for metro, and garage parking in DC
- Generous paid vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays
- Tuition Reimbursement for graduate studies
- And much more…
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