Employment Opportunities / Internship Opportunities

Unless otherwise noted, all positions listed below are with the National Endowment for Democracy. Please read the descriptions and follow the instructions when applying.

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a congressionally funded, private, nonprofit grant making organization that works to support freedom around the world. Read more about the NED.

GIFTS Administrator

Position Summary:
This position is responsible for the overall administration and maintenance of the Endowment’s grants management database (MicroEdge GIFTS), combining the administration of GIFTS with training, outreach and communication with staff to expand usage of GIFTS and complementary systems. The GIFTS Administrator will develop an understanding of the Grants, Audit, and Programs functions at the Endowment and their roles in the grant cycle and work cooperatively with an interdepartmental team to translate business process needs into system solutions, and working to ensure the integrity of the data in GIFTS. As the Endowment’s GIFTS expert, the position is primarily responsible for staff training, specialized reporting, technical assistance for staff, and liaising with IT staff. The GIFTS Administrator works independently, exercising judgment and discretion with multiple staff levels.

Specific duties of the GIFTS Administrator will include:

• Manage the grants management database (MicroEdge GIFTS), including, but not limited to the following: users, groups, and permissions; codes; templates; batch utilities; upgrades; modules; and data integrity.
• Provide orientation and training for new staff and develop specialized training presentations and curriculum for staff on an ongoing basis.
• Serve as GIFTS resource and help desk.
• Continually explore new ways to make GIFTS a dynamic tool by evaluating user needs and providing recommendations.
• Participate in the planning and execution of future upgrades and technology enhancements.
• Develop and maintain report models to help staff utilize and benefit from the information in the GIFTS database.
• Oversee the creation, design, and modification of standardized templates for use within the data system.
• Maintain and modify written procedures outlining data management practices.
• Collaborate with IT to resolve issues with GIFTS and other complementary systems.
• Liaise with the software vendor for product development and support in concert with IT.
• Remain informed on software updates, upgrades, and additional services.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

Skills/Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of MicroEdge GIFTS or similar relational database.
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• Ability to analyze data and interpret information to develop data management strategies across systems.
• Ability to problem-solve.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent presentation skills and ability to communicate technical information to a non-technical audience.
• Highly-organized and efficient; able to prioritize work based on minimal direction and multiple competing priorities.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to liaise effectively between staff of different levels and across functions.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and be responsive to staff requests.

Professional Experience:

• Prior experience with business process analysis and redesign.
• Minimum of five years experience in grants administration or related role.
• Experience in training and developing training materials.
• Familiarity with international activities/issues relevant to NED’s operating environment.

Education:

• BA or BS degree; advanced degree preferred.
• Eligible to work in the U.S.

To Apply:

Applicants should send resume and cover letter to jobs@ned.org. Be sure to place "Position 7013" in the subject line of your email.

This position is based in Washington, D.C.

• Under the general supervision of the Manager, Grants Administration, provide cradle-to-grave management of assigned grants portfolio, including review of proposals, grant negotiation, award, compliance monitoring, administration and closeout.
• Participate in review of proposals to identify potential technical issues in new awards; ensure that any compliance issues arising under prior awards to renewal grantees are adequately addressed before a new grant is issued.
• Negotiate, draft and issue new grant awards and amendments as required over the life of assigned grants; prepare other correspondence as required.
• Ensure that grants awarded are in compliance with US Government or other donor regulations and/or other special requirements, if any.
• Review grantee financial and narrative reports to identify and resolve budget, compliance and/or other problems; in cooperation with NED’s Internal Audit and/or appropriate program staff, investigate and resolve invoice reviews, audit and/or other issues as required.
• Promptly review and process grantee requests for payment.
• Obtain required closeout information from grantees and otherwise facilitate grant closeout process.
• Ensure that assigned fields of grants database are timely updated.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (business, international studies, or area studies relevant to assigned portfolio, etc.);
• At least three years of experience in non-profit grants/contracts operations;
• Familiarity with Federal grant regulations, international activities/issues relevant to NED’s operation environment;
• Professional competency in language relevant to assigned grants portfolio is useful; Arabic language preferred
• Familiarity with or interest in the Middle East and North Africa;
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Flexibility to be a team player and self starter, comfortable in a supporting role and in working independent, preferably in a multicultural environment;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel; knowledge of MicroEdge Gifts or other relational database helpful; and
• Qualified to work in the US.

This position is based in Washington, D.C.

• Under the general supervision of the Manager, Grants Administration, provide cradle-to-grave management of assigned grants portfolio, including review of proposals, grant negotiation, award, compliance monitoring, administration and closeout.
• Participate in review of proposals to identify potential technical issues in new awards; ensure that any compliance issues arising under prior awards to renewal grantees are adequately addressed before a new grant is issued.
• Negotiate, draft and issue new grant awards and amendments as required over the life of assigned grants; prepare other correspondence as required.
• Ensure that grants awarded are in compliance with US Government or other donor regulations and/or other special requirements, if any.
• Review grantee financial and narrative reports to identify and resolve budget, compliance and/or other problems; in cooperation with NED’s Internal Audit and/or appropriate program staff, investigate and resolve invoice reviews, audit and/or other issues as required.
• Promptly review and process grantee requests for payment.
• Obtain required closeout information from grantees and otherwise facilitate grant closeout process.
• Ensure that assigned fields of grants database are timely updated.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (business, international studies, or area studies relevant to assigned portfolio, etc.);
• At least three years of experience in non-profit grants/contracts operations;
• Familiarity with Federal grant regulations, international activities/issues relevant to NED’s operation environment;
• Professional competency in language relevant to assigned grants portfolio is useful; French language preferred
• Familiarity with or interest in Africa;
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task;
• Ability to work with minimal supervision;
• Flexibility to be a team player and self starter, comfortable in a supporting role and in working independent, preferably in a multicultural environment;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel; knowledge of MicroEdge Gifts or other relational database helpful; and
• Qualified to work in the US.

Program Officer for East and Southern Africa

Position Summary:
The Program Officer will work with the senior director and NED staff to develop and manage the NED’s East and Southern Africa grants program, develop the Endowment’s strategy for East and Southern Africa, set priorities, and monitor and evaluate projects in the sub-region. The position is based in Washington, DC.

Specific duties of the Program Officer will include:

• Assessing grant proposals to present at quarterly NED Board meetings.
• Traveling to the sub-region on a regular basis to identify and work with potential new grantees.
• Monitoring and providing compliance assistance to existing grantees.
• Attending relevant internal and external meetings.
• Tracking political and democratic developments in the sub-region.
• Maintaining contacts with organizations and individuals working on the sub-region.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

• A Master’s level education in International Affairs, History, Political Science or related discipline.
• Significant prior experience in democracy-related and nonprofit work.
• Experience in East and Southern Africa.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English.
• Proficient in the use of MS Office.
• High degree of organization and initiative.
• Experience in financial monitoring and reporting.
• Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.
• Excellent staff, office management, and interpersonal skills.

NED offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits and is an equal opportunity employer.

To Apply:

Applicants should send resume and cover letter to jobs@ned.org. Be sure to place "Position 7012" in the subject line of your email.

Program Assistant for Russia and Ukraine

Position Summary:
Provide administrative support to Europe and Eurasia Programs staff, focusing on Russia and Ukraine.

The position is based in Washington, D.C.

Specific duties of the Program Assistant will include:

• Assisting the Programs staff with general administrative duties;
• Researching information about potential grantees and current political developments in the region;
• Maintaining contacts with grantees;
• Organizing meetings for visiting grantees;
• Providing support for considering and awarding grants to nongovernmental organizations working on democracy-building programs in Europe and Eurasia.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field;
• Knowledge of the political and social issues in the region required;
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and Russian (Ukrainian also desirable);
• Administrative support experience preferred;
• Attention to detail and the ability to multi-task;
• MS Office Skills are required.

To Apply:

Applicants should send a cover letter, university transcript, resume and 2-5 page writing sample to "Russia-Ukraine Program Assistant Search" at jobs@ned.org. Please put position number 7010 in the subject line of your email. 

Acknowledgements and responses will be sent only to applications under active consideration.

Internship Opportunities

World Movement for Democracy Internship Opportunity

The World Movement for Democracy seeks an intern for the 2008 Spring Semester. The World Movement for Democracy is an effort to strengthen democracy around the world by promoting coordination among non-governmental groups and other democracy activists. The World Movement's goal is to build a global "network of networks" of democrats, including activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders, who have come together to cooperate in the promotion of democracy. An unprecedented assembly of more than 400 democracy activists representing over 80 countries was held for that purpose in India in 1999. The Second Assembly was held in Brazil in November 2000, and the Third Assembly took place in Durban, South Africa, in February 2004. The Fourth Assembly brought together nearly 600 participants from some 120 countries to Istanbul, Turkey, in April 2006. The Fifth Assembly will take place in April 2008 in Kyiv, Ukraine and will bring together some 450 participants.

The internship position is a quarterly unpaid internship with possible renewal. The incumbent will help with the global networking activities of the World Movement for Democracy. Work will include researching democracy networks around the world, helping to maintain the participant database, assisting with preparation of the monthly electronic newsletter Democracy News, and helping staff with other tasks.

Applicants should be interested in issues of democracy and international affairs and have excellent research, writing, and computer skills. Knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian is preferred.

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter as soon as possible.

Latin America and the Caribbean Internship

NED seeks an unpaid Intern in its Latin America and Caribbean Program section. The position is based in Washington, D.C. starting immediately through December 20 with the possibility to extend for another semester.

The LAC intern will:

Assist program staff in project management duties including:

• attend relevant meetings on key democracy issues affecting the region,
• review and summarize proposals for NED staff review,
• help in drafting summaries of proposals for the NED Board of Directors review,
• assist in overseeing a country portfolio,
• develop a database of NGOs and donors in the region, and
• attend meetings with visiting grantees.

Assist the team in administrative duties including:

• prepare relevant news clips for distribution,
• file reports and news items,
• assist with planning and organizing special meetings, and
• respond to requests for information.

Qualifications:

• Spanish fluency required, French a plus;
• Undergraduate or graduate student with a focus on Latin America and democracy issues;
• Strong writing and research skills, detail-oriented, ability to multi-task, open to learning and sharing;
• U.S. work permit required;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, web design and Access a plus;
• Work at least 15 - 20 hours a week.

To Apply: please e-mail a letter of interest and resume, including contact information for two references, to jobs@ned.org. Please use "LAC Internship" for the subject line of your email. Deadline for acceptance is September 15, 2007.

Center for International Media Assistance Summer Intern

The Center for International Media Assistance at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) seeks an intern for the summer semester. The NED is a private, bipartisan, nonprofit organization which strengthens democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts. The Center, a recently established NED initiative, focuses on strengthening the support of free and independent media worldwide. Among other activities, the Center supports an Advisory Council and working groups on media assistance issues, as well as drafting reports on topics relevant to media development.

The internship, which is unpaid, is open to current graduate and undergraduate students. The duties include researching international organizations and topics on media assistance, helping with Center correspondence and assisting with arranging meetings and events at the Center. Applicants must be proficient computer users and possess strong oral and written communication skills. Applicants should have an interest in journalism, communications, international relations, development and democracy work.

Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to the Center coordinator, Shannon Maguire, at CIMA@ned.org.

International Forum for Democratic Studies Internship