Program Associate, MENA

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy and an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to build the institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include enterprise ecosystems, democratic governance, business advocacy, anti-corruption & ethics, and trade.

Position: Program Associate (PA), MENA (Levant)

Reports to: Program Director, Levant

Location: Washington, DC

Scope: This full-time non-exempt position is based in Washington, DC. CIPE’s Program Associate (PA) for the Levant in CIPE’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) division provides program and administrative support for CIPE’s Levant programs, working closely with the Program Director (PD) and Associate Program Officer (APO) in Washington, D.C., and with CIPE’s staff in Jordan.

Responsibilities:
 

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Work with the Program Director and other regional staff to coordinate project management deliverables and activities for the portfolio, which typically includes:
  • Support data collection and documentation practices.
  • Assist active project partners to ensure high quality deliverables, including financial and narrative reports.
  • Monitor grantee, contractors, and consultants’ performance to ensure quality control in full compliance with procurement policies, financial reporting requirements, and evaluation plans.
  • Coordinate regular staff meetings, including facilitating discussions, drafting agendas, and tracking action items for domestic and international staff.
  • Collaborate with multiple CIPE departments to achieve programmatic goals, including Centers of Excellence, Field Offices/in-country offices, Communications, Grants and Finance, and other regional teams.
  • In coordination with supervisor, oversee contract fulfilment internationally which includes maintaining regular communication with contractors, updating narrative and financial reports, vetting final products, and corresponding with contractors to submit the final paperwork.
  • As directed, draft, review, and edit periodic reports, proposals, and other documents for submission to donor agencies.

Hiring/Recruiting

• In coordination with the regional team leadership, support the recruitment, onboarding, and training of new staff members.
   

Financial Oversight

• Monitor and track payment requests, burn rates, accounting documents, field office liquidations, travel expense reports, and documents for signature in close coordination with Grants and Finance teams.

Administrative

• Participate in regular phone and email exchanges with grantees taking concise notes and helping the team ensure agreed follow-up actions are completed.
• Coordinate domestic and international travel arrangements and logistics.
• Develop and maintain programmatic, financial, correspondence, and contract files.
• As needed, translate partner documents or other programmatic materials.
• Adhere to appropriate CIPE and donor policies and procedures.

Other duties may include:

• Perform legal and subject matter specific research as needed.
• Contribute to public outreach and communications, which may include creating posts for social media accounts, writing blogs, and drafting promotional materials, in collaboration with the Communications department when appropriate.
• In coordination with regional leadership, support planning and executing internal and external events, including writing announcements and invitations, coordinating guests, publicizing on social media, and acting as primary tech support during run of show.
• In coordination with regional team leadership, support new business development opportunities.
• Recruit and onboard seasonal interns, including helping the Program Director identify day-to-day tasks and professional development opportunities.
• In coordination with supervisor, provide administrative support to field offices as applicable.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required in one of the following or equivalent fields: International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, or Public Policy.
• Professional proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A background in international affairs and/or the Middle East and experience with political and economic issues highly desired.
• Experience living in, working in, or studying the MENA region is also desirable.
• 1-2 years of administrative office experience is beneficial, but not required.
• Excellent interpersonal, coordination, and communication skills.
• Superb writing, research, and analytical abilities.
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize and manage multiple, detail-oriented tasks simultaneously with limited supervision.
• Strong computer skills, proficiency in MS-Office, specifically Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking and analytical skills
• Strong financial acumen and ability to develop and monitor project budgets.
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment, across time zones and hybrid setting.
• Flexibility to collaborate with a diverse team or work independently and deliver consistent, reliable results.
• High degree of culture competence.
• Contribute to an organization-wide culture of innovation, integrity, inclusion, and respect

Benefits

Competitive Benefits including medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability, flexible spending, paid family leave, life insurance, 401(k), commuter benefits, telework, and more!

CIPE offers a salary competitive with other international non-governmental organizations and an excellent benefits package. Applicants must be legally able to work in the United States; CIPE is unable to sponsor employees for work visas.

CIPE is an Equal Opportunity Employer

CIPE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sexual orientation, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity or expression, and marital status or any other legally protected class or characteristic covered by applicable law. CIPE is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business need. CIPE believes diversity and inclusion across our organization is critical to our programs, mission, and success as a globally operating business. We strive to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Employee’s Responsibility in an Emergency

The employee is expected to respond to emergency situations involving the safety of fellow employees including evacuation of the building.

Applications will be accepted, and interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please.