Program Assistant, Authoritarian Influence & Kleptocracy, (IFDS)

The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a 501(c)3 grantmaking foundation that 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 (the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the Solidarity Center). We seek a Program Assistant, (Authoritarian Influence & Kleptocracy) to take on a dynamic position at the International Forum for Democratic Studies. This position is based in Washington, D.C.

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 team supporting the fight for freedom and democracy around the world.

Position Summary:

The International Forum for Democratic Studies at the National Endowment for Democracy is a leading center for research, discussion, innovation, and analysis on the theory and practice of democracy around the world. The Forum is at the cutting edge of topics such as authoritarian influence, the information space, transnational kleptocracy, and emerging technology – and their impact on democracy around the world.

The International Forum for Democratic Studies seeks a Program Assistant to support our team with work on two priority areas:  countering foreign authoritarian influence and countering transnational kleptocracy. The ideal candidate will have strong experience with organizing and running events, solid research and writing skills, be able to handle multiple tasks while maintaining focus on longer-term priorities, and an interest in democracy studies and/or related fields.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with the conception of and help lead the organization of innovative workshops, public events, and other meetings on developments related to the global challenges of authoritarian influence and kleptocracy, their impact on democracy around the world, and responses by civil society.
• Provide operational support for various Forum workshops and activities. Assist with scheduling, planning, and running of briefings and smaller convenings, as well as follow-up activities.
• Support outreach for the dissemination of Forum materials to reach and grow new and influential target audiences within global civil society and adjacent communities.
• Assist, as needed, in the production by Forum Program Officers and outside authors of creative and thought-provoking material that deepens understanding of priority issues.
• Conduct research and prepare analytic content for portfolio-relevant presentations and publications, such as the Forum’s Countering Kleptocracy newsletter and Power 3.0 blog.
• Assist and be skilled in supporting broader Forum staff activities with other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Work effectively across the Forum team, across internal NED departments, and with external contacts.
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, Political Science; Human Rights; Democracy studies or related discipline required. Graduate-level training is welcome.
• Experience in democracy, human rights, international affairs, or a related field. 
• Interest in the relationship between democracy development and authoritarian influence, kleptocracy, or corruption.
• Sound understanding of the NED’s mission.
• Ability to travel 1-2x a year
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail with complex projects.
• Excellent analytic, writing, and editing skills with high attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate in a team environment.
• Ability to work efficiently in a dynamic environment, take initiative, and juggle competing priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with Mailchimp or other communications platforms a plus.
• 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 $ 45,500 – 60,625 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.

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 among 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.