Position Description
ABOUT FREEDOM HOUSE
Established more than 80 years ago on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people, Freedom House is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to defend and expand freedom globally to help secure a world where all are free. Around the world, repressive regimes are preventing billions of people from exercising their fundamental rights. We identify and analyze threats to freedom, mobilize decision makers to respond to those threats and seize opportunities for progress, and support activists and organizations working to defend and expand freedom. We are dedicated to ensuring that the United States serves as a positive model of democratic practice at home and a consistent champion of freedom globally. By gathering authoritative data and leveraging our global networks, Freedom House is an unwavering beacon in protecting human rights and promoting democratic governance.
Position Summary
The Dignity for All: LGBTQI+ Assistance Program (Dignity for All) is part of Freedom House’s (FH) Emergency Assistance Program (EAP). EAP provides emergency and rapid response funding and other support to human rights defenders (HRDs), non-traditional actors, and civil society organizations (CSOs) that are under threat because of their human rights work, and to survivors of religious persecution on the basis of belief or non-belief. Dignity focuses specifically on supporting LGBTQI+ human rights defenders and civil society organizations.
The Senior Program Officer (SPO) for the Dignity for All program develops and manages programmatic aspects of the relevant EAP thematic team portfolio and contributes to the strategic vision and plan for the portfolio over the longer term. This includes strategic planning, program design, oversight of program activities, monitoring and evaluation, financial management, fundraising, advocacy, outreach, staff supervision, and administration. This position is based in Washington, DC and reports to the Senior Program Manager for Dignity for All.
PRINCIPLE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS:
Project implementation
- Manage/oversee donor awards, including developing work plans, identifying consultants and sub-grantees, organizing workshops, meetings, and events, drafting program reports, and maintaining productive working relationships with donor counterparts and partners.
- Lead monitoring and evaluation process, track and document program activities and impact to ensure project objectives are met.
Budget oversight
- Support the SPM to manage Dignity’s program budget, including tracking and updating budget monitors, spending analysis and forecasting, to ensure effective, timely program implementation in full compliance with donor rules/regulations
- Ensure adequate support for consortium partners budgets and partner awareness of and compliance with USG and FH rules and regulations.
- Analyze program spending and provide accurate forecasts and recommendations to Senior Program Manager.
Project and proposal development
- Identify project opportunities and, working with Senior Program Manager, develop and pursue those opportunities by identifying potential partners and funding sources. This includes conducting outreach to donors to shape funding priorities.
- Independently develop submission-ready project concepts and proposal packages, including budgets.
- Manage the entire proposal preparation process, including coordinating contributions from others as appropriate, to ensure complete, accurate, and timely proposal submission.
Strategic planning
- Contribute to development and implementation of the overall multi-year strategy for the relevant thematic program, including developing short-term, long-term, and annual plans for the program, to include activities addressing multiple partners, concerns, and issues.
- Work with supervisor and provide guidance to junior staff in pursuit of thematic priorities and goals.
Support for emergency and rapid response assistance
- Provide support for outreach, receipt, review, vetting, case development, and funding of emergency cases by regional specialists.
- Directly process emergency cases as needed and as assigned.
- Review and approve emergency cases for the relevant portfolio.
- Work with other EAP team members, regional specialists, consortia partners and other to process other rapid response mechanisms, as relevant to the grant portfolio.
Representation of Freedom House
- Develop and maintain relationships with external stakeholders, including donors and the diplomatic community, partners, grantees, and other implementing organizations.
- Represent Freedom House to external audiences at meetings and events; speak knowledgeably about Freedom House's mission and programming in the relevant thematic area as necessary.
- Contribute to Freedom House research, analysis and advocacy efforts, including drafting blogs or other analytical pieces with minimal oversight
Other responsibilities as assigned:
- Act as backfill to SPM as needed in consortium leadership, donor engagement, external representation, and project reporting.
- Other program specific and EAP wide assignments as needed; expectation that the SPO will contribute to creating a deeper and more integrated EAP team.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in political science, international relations, international development, or related field; Master's degree preferred
Experience:
- Minimum six years of related work experience; at least one year of work experience overseas is strongly preferred
- At least four years of involvement in the field of global LGBTQI+ human rights
- Experience in budget management, grantmaking, and subgrant management required
Skills and Competencies:
- Mastery of human rights principles and mechanisms, knowledge of and experience in democracy promotion and specifically emergency/rapid assistance to frontline defenders
- Knowledge of international human rights principles and mechanisms and the political, social and rights dynamics in the LGBTQI+ movement
- Deep understanding of USG funding processes, budget forms, rules, and regulations; at least four years’ experience working on USG-funded programs including proven ability to create and manage USG budgets (including use of Excel) and implement monitoring and evaluation plans strongly preferred
- Experience developing and drafting USG funding proposals strongly preferred
- Astute political judgment and strategic thinking; excellent judgment in problem solving and decision making
- Proven ability to multitask and manage time effectively to meet competing deadlines and manage priorities
- Ability to conduct research and apply strong analytical skills
- Mastery of MS Office Suite
- Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to persuade and facilitate cooperation between individuals with divergent views and to collaborate with others and successfully work as an effective team member
- Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work
- Ability to represent Freedom House professionally
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to consistently produce timely and error-free work under tight deadlines
- Excellent timekeeping, attendance, and time management, and ability to work flexible schedule and be available outside of normal business hours for emergency work purposes
- Ability to adhere to and work within strict guidelines and procedures
- Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing; ability to communicate effectively in a second relevant language strongly preferred
Attributes and Characteristics:
- Eagerness to think creatively about complex challenges
- Willingness to reflect, learn, and adapt
- Exhibit strong and sustained commitment to the mission of Freedom House
- Show good stewardship in the use of Freedom House resources
- Exhibit ethical, professional conduct at all times
- Consistently use good judgment when dealing with all contacts and constituents
- Exhibit high work standards, adherence to procedures, and responsibility for assigned tasks
- Demonstrate the desire for excellence to inspire others to attain professional excellence
- Assess own strengths and weaknesses; pursue training and development opportunities; strive to continuously build knowledge and skills
- Work as an effective team member and successfully balance responsibilities
- Comply with all policies and procedures
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Diversity makes our work stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all background to apply. Diverse backgrounds relevant to the countries in which we have programming are a welcome asset.
- Freedom House provides a strong benefits package, including a 403(b)-retirement account, commuter benefits, flexible hours, floating holidays, high employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision premiums, basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and more.
- Applicants are required to complete our online application form and to submit a resume and a cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications for this position.
- Travel to some countries, for business or in some cases personal reasons, while a Freedom House employee, may not be advisable or even possible due to high security risks.
- Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization. Salary range for this role is $75,000 to $85,000 annualized, dependent upon experience.
- Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States independent from Freedom House sponsorship.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
General Working Conditions:
- General working office environment or telework.
- May require long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks.
- Travel within Washington, D.C.; occasional travel outside of the U.S. may be required to facilitate workshops and meetings (less than 20% of time)
Work Environment and Physical Demands:
- Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting or remote work.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Freedom House is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.
Requisition Number: 1423
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