The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) supports the democratic aspirations of people around the world working to advance fundamental freedoms, justice, and human rights through grantmaking, research, and solidarity. We are united as a team in the pursuit of a world in which people determine their own future and are free to participate with dignity in their societies, endowed with equal rights and without repression.

As a 501(c)3 grantmaking foundation that receives an annual Congressional appropriation, NED is governed by a private, bipartisan Board of Directors. This unusual arrangement positions NED to play a unique role as America’s leading foundation for freedom, empowering the institution to be nimble, innovative, and risk-taking in support of democratic activists, civil society organizations, independent media, and the NED family core institutes (International Republican Institute, National Democratic Institute, Center for International Private Enterprise, and the Solidarity Center).

We seek a motivated, energetic, organized, and resourceful Assistant Program Officer to join the Grant Operations team and support its mandate to serve as an institutional resource for grantmaking information, coordination, planning, budget tracking, and reporting and analysis. This is an opportunity to join an ambitious institution and team committed to the cause of our time.  The ideal candidate will be energized by the idea of being part of a dedicated team supporting our brave partners on the frontlines of the fight for freedom and democracy around the world. This position reports to the Senior Manager, Grant Operations and is based in Washington, D.C.

Position Summary:

The Assistant Program Officer will work closely with the Vice President, GOE to provide operational, logistical, administrative, and substantive support  and assist the Grant Operations team with the coordination of special projects and initiatives across six GOE department teams to support a dynamic international grantmaking program.  

Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative and operational support for the Vice President, GOE and Grant Operations team, including organizing meetings and events, managing calendars and deadlines, tracking priority tasks and workflows, providing logistical support for travel and events, and maintaining accurate and organized records. 
• Contribute to the drafting, editing, and production of briefing materials, meeting minutes, communications, and other documents and materials as assigned. 
• Assist in the preparation of grantmaking data, information, and reporting for a variety of internal and external audiences, including coordinating the preparation and submission of proposals, reports, and other documents as needed for the Department of State. 
• Liaise with all levels of staff to ensure that day-to-day operations and special projects and initiatives are supported and completed efficiently, including coordinating with diverse sets of stakeholders across NED and GOE departments and teams. 
• Provide overflow administrative support and data entry for other GOE department teams as needed. 
• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Senior Manager, Grant Operations and Vice President, GOE.
• Other duties as assigned.
• The level of responsibility and independence in assigned tasks will increase with experience. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience. 
• 2+ years relevant work experience in an office environment, including administrative support for an executive, manager, or supervisor. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Excel. 
• Experience with Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, Tableau or other data visualization software, and database platforms a plus. 
• Knowledge of standard office administrative practices and procedures. 
• Interest in international affairs and the support and strengthening of democratic institutions worldwide. 
• Strong organizational and planning skills with ability to take initative. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills. 
• Adept at information gathering, problem analysis, and problem solving. 
• Attention to detail and the ability to maintain focus on tasks with minimal supervision. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with demonstrated ability to interact with all levels of staff in a fast-paced and diverse, multi-cultural office environment. 
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team. 
• Authorized to work in the United States. 

This position is part of the NED Bargaining Unit.

To Apply: 

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, desired salary, and contact information for three professional references, of which one should be a supervisor. Please, no phone call inquiries. 

Located in Washington, D.C., the salary range for this role is $51,750 - $73,125 USD, plus benefits. The final offer for a successful candidate will be determined by a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations. 

At NED, we recognize that our most important asset is our people. We value the diversity of skills and perspectives our team brings to our work. We believe an inclusive and supportive work environment fosters a culture of respect and appreciation for all individuals. NED is committed to creating a workplace that allows everyone to be their authentic selves and make meaningful contributions to our organization, our grantees, and our world. 

NED strives to create a work experience that supports the well-being and healthy work-life balance of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package offers health insurance (includes no copay for mental health services), a generous retirement savings plan, paid parental, vacation, and sick leave, a hybrid workplace model, flexible work schedules, and wellness initiatives to ensure a positive work-life balance. 

NED is dedicated to creating an environment of respect and collaboration where everyone is encouraged to participate and take ownership of their work. We offer flexible work schedules and, for most positions, the opportunity for weekly telework days. This hybrid approach allows our employees to balance their work and personal lives while still participating in the collaborative process at the heart of our mission.