NDI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization that has supported democratic institutions and practices in every region of the world for more than three decades. Since its founding, NDI and its local partners have worked to establish and strengthen civic and political organizations, safeguard elections, and promote citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Summary

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks to hire an experienced Ethiopian national as Program Officer or a Senior Program Officer to support its programming in inclusive citizens participation in electoral and political processes, including dialogue and parliamentary processes. NDI programs in Ethiopia support partners, including civil society networks and coalitions and democratic institutions to strengthen democratic practices, contribute to safeguarding elections and promote citizen participation and openness in government. NDI programming supports inclusiveness in democratic processes, including specific focus on women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWD) and internally displaced persons (IDPs). NDI also works to ensure more representative and responsive political party processes in Ethiopia. The position will report to the Country Representative under the supervision of the Program Director responsible for electoral and political processes. The position will be based in Addis Ababa and will require regular travel within Ethiopia. The position is available immediately.

Among others, this staff position will work closely with NDI’s civil society partners to enhance their capacity and skills and to coordinate systematic citizen election observation, ongoing and emerging national political processes, such as national dialogue and civil society parliamentary engagement activities. The incumbent will liaise and communicate with partners and provide up-to-date analysis of the political environment and context. Under supervision of the Resident Country Director and responsible Program Director, the incumbent will coordinate implementation of program activities at national and regional levels. The incumbent will be required to work closely with other staff in NDI’s Ethiopia and Washington D.C. offices for successful implementation of all programs and operations.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as program contact with partners and maintain close collaboration and communication with CSO partners and other relevant program partners.
• Contribute to the development of detailed work plans to ensure achievement of assigned program(s) objective(s) and expected outcomes, including the establishment of actions to be taken, the required resources (time, budget, etc.), a schedule/timeline for the actions required, and specific measures/metrics for evaluation at completion.
• Closely monitor all aspects of daily implementation of activities.
• Under close supervision of the Resident Country Director and responsible
• Program Director, take the lead in guiding and monitoring partners’ program implementation activities at national and regional levels .
• Collaborate with Country Office leadership, and as required other country office staff team in drafting program concepts, content for proposals, ensuring alignment with broader country program priorities.
• Support the identification and documentation of successful processes/programs, as well as areas where improvements can be made for the establishment/execution of future programs
• Anticipate program challenges and propose solutions.
• Produce analytic political and electoral briefings and reports.
• Assist in organizing and implementing citizen election monitoring/observation, including training and presentations to relevant stakeholders.
• Organize program events, including conferences, consultations, seminars, workshops and meetings.
• Produce program-related documents and ensure their accuracy.
• Conduct forward planning and update activity plans and budgets.
• Maintain regular and timely internal communication on program plans, developments and outcomes.
• Prepare reports and communications products, such as impact and success stories.
• Contribute to developing strategic documents – work plans, reports, project proposals and briefings.
• Contribute to regular monthly, quarterly and annual reports.
• Ensure accurate and timely data collection for monitoring and evaluation purposes, in close collaboration with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (M,E &L) staff.
• As delegated by the Program Director or the Resident Country Director, represent NDI to Ethiopian organizations and the donor community.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Undergraduate degree in a related field of study; graduate degree is preferred in political science, international relations or development, public policy, law, or a related field
• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience, such as work in the field of democracy and governance, research, civil society or organizational development; six (6) years of relevant professional experience is preferred.
• Experience with political processes, elections or democratic institutions is desired.
• Experience working on diversity and inclusive programming is desired
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and professionalism, to effectively interact with all levels of staff, CSO partners, policymakers and elected or appointed officials, Ethiopian and foreign government personnel, and members of donor organizations
• Proven capacity for timeliness in completing all tasks and deliverables, including programmatic, financial and administrative responsibilities.
• Exceptional analytical skills for interpreting complex program and political issues.
• Excellent and professional teamwork and ability to work well as part of a high performing tea
• High level of attention to detail in all aspects of work.
• Superior oral and written communications skills in both Amharic and
• English to effectively present information in a clear and persuasive manner; capacity in other Ethiopian languages is desired.
• Working knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications