The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), is a private, nonprofit grantmaking foundation dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the globe. With an annual appropriation from Congress, NED makes more than 2,000 grants to support the projects of nongovernmental groups abroad who are working for democratic goals in more than 100 countries. Governed by an independent Board of Directors, NED holds 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 (the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the Solidarity Center). We seek a motivated, energetic, organized, and resourceful Senior Manager, who is a mission-oriented team player, and who would be excited to join a growing and fast-paced Asia Program, team. This position is based in Washington, D.C.
Position Summary:
The Senior Manager serves as part of the Asia team leadership, helping set strategy, assess political developments, and management of personnel, including staffing levels and hiring. The Senior Manager may also manage grants.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include supervising the programmatic work of East Asia, including direct supervisory responsibility for the work of assigned assistant program officers, program officers, and senior program officers. Produce quality material in a timely manner, rigorous review and oversight of portfolios, travel planning, adherence to Endowment policies; staff development and discipline; and administrative and budget tracking.
- Work with senior program staff to determine country analysis and grant-making strategy for sub-region.
- Lead review of proposals for North Korea and other East Asian countries (excluding China) and development of recommendations to be presented to senior staff.
- Manage a portfolio of grants.
- Frequent travel, often in difficult conditions and for extended periods of time.
- Work with mentor and supervise subordinates in monitoring and evaluating grantees.
- Meet with prospective grantees.
- Nurturing and expanding network of contacts.
- Presentation of proposals at internal senior-level reviews and with the Board of Directors.
- Public representation of the Endowment’s work in assigned sub-region as appropriate, including public speaking, task forces, television and radio, and written pieces.
- Supervise employees in their daily activities, including but not limited to setting priorities and performance goals, assigning and directing their daily tasks and work, tracking and ensuring productivity and work quality.
- Approve and disapproving work schedules and timesheets, approving and disapproving vacation requests.
- Provide oral and written feedback and conducting performance counseling.
- Preparing performance appraisals and preparing/monitoring progressive discipline actions.
- Participate in and provide recommendations regarding hiring, transfer, suspension, promotion, discharge, assignments, comparability assessments, merit increases, and disciplinary actions.
- Develop and mentor assigned staff by providing guidance and advice on programmatic, political and administrative issues;
- Arrange cost-effective professional development opportunities (e.g., stretch assignments, project lead assignments, training courses, etc.) for assigned staff.
- Perform other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications:
Knowledge/Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred.
- 8+ years of relevant programmatic experience required.
- 4+ years of supervisory responsibility or equivalent programmatic level experience.
Other Qualifications:
- Demonstrated country or regional expertise, particularly in-depth political knowledge.
- Well-established network of contacts in Washington and assigned country or countries.
- High level of familiarity with civil society issues and deep knowledge of civil society organizations and individual activists in the region.
- Significant grant-making, grants-management or fundraising experience.
- In-depth management experience preferred, including direct staff supervision, handling and addressing complaints and performance issues, assignment of tasks, budget management, program development, and leadership.
- Long-term in-country work experience or study.
- Senior-level experience in an international NGO preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Fluency in Korean or an East Asian language preferred
- Authorized to work in the United States.
Competencies:
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated leadership and management competence.
- Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task and work independently.
- Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite, databases, and other applications.
- Highly professional demeanor, with strong interpersonal, supervisory, and customer service skills to effectively interact with all levels of staff.
- Employs team-building, mentoring approach to interactions and working style.
- Commitment and ability to excel in a fast-paced environment; works effectively under time pressure and meets deadlines.
- Attention to details and accuracy in all work products.
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.
The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristics covered by applicable law. The NED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. The NED believes that diversity and inclusion amongst our team members are critical to our success as an organization operating globally and seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.
For more information, please visit our website at www.ned.org or careers@ned.org.
