Deputy Director, Program Management Team, Africa & LAC - United States

Democracy International

Bethesda, MD

Expired: November 29, 2023 Applications are no longer accepted.

Full-Time

Deputy Director, Program Management Team, Africa & LAC

Are you a creative problem solver, driven by the desire to make a difference? Are you interested in implementing novel science-based approaches to address complex democracy, governance, human rights, and peacebuilding challenges? Join Democracy International (DI) as a Deputy Director of Program Management, where your creative mindset and passion for innovation can shape the future of the DRG field. If you are ready to be part of a growing team that values your vision and encourages bold ideas, we want to hear from you!

About Us:

Democracy International (DI) is a dynamic organization with a strong record of designing and implementing groundbreaking democracy, human rights, governance, conflict transformation, and peacebuilding programs. We're seeking a high-performing Deputy Director of Program Management to help lead our growing team with creativity and innovation. Join us in our Washington, DC area office to be part of this exciting journey. This is a hybrid position, with regular office presence (three days a week). We will only consider applicants who are based in the Washington, DC area or planning to relocate immediately.

Essential Responsibilities:

As a Deputy Director of Program Management, you'll play a crucial role in ensuring DI delivers effective DRG programs, leading a high-performing and collaborative team, and collaborating with cross-discipline teams. Your responsibilities will include:

Program Support: Using your program management expertise, analytical problem solving skills, and creativity, continuously strengthen DI’s program management practice to mitigate risks, solve complex problems, and improve efficiency. Support Program Management Units to ensure DI is using evidence-based, locally-led, and inclusive approaches; achieving expected results; and following best-practices and USAID rules and regulations. Alongside the Director, lead efforts to strengthen DI systems and processes. Foster and maintain positive client and partner relationships and lead the opening of new DI field offices and program start-ups.
Team Leadership: Collaborate with other team leaders to set goals and standards, and support a collaborative, high-performing, and mission-driven team. Supervise and mentor Program Managers and provide overall leadership, performance management, and professional growth opportunities for the team. Provide interim coverage for leadership positions in field offices and for the Director and Program Managers in the Home Office.
Technical Expertise: Contribute your technical expertise in the democracy, governance, human rights, and/or peacebuilding fields to DI’s programs to ensure their success. Collaborate with DI’s Technical Specialists to strategically apply available expertise to development challenges across programs, including piloting novel approaches and providing technical support directly. Represent DI and DI’s work externally and identify opportunities for programmatic growth and new business.
Program Learning: Foster a culture that enables collaboration, learning, and adapting. Work with colleagues across teams to strengthen DI’s standard practices for capturing and sharing lessons from programs. Support programs to practice adaptive management and deepen use of outcome-oriented learning techniques.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Degree in international relations, public policy, political science, or a related field; Master's preferred.
5+ years experience working in one or more of DI's practice areas: politics, governance, peace and resilience, and learning.
8+ years experience managing USAID-funded programs, including both technical and operational aspects.
Significant leadership and supervisory experience and proven track-record of providing mentorship and guidance to teams that contribute to their success.
Ability to handle complex or sensitive management issues, exercise sound decision-making skills, and work collaboratively with executive teams on constructive solutions.
Proven ability to successfully manage large complex projects, including leading program start-ups and closeouts, overseeing large field offices, and managing finances.
Experience developing, managing, and analyzing budgets and spending, as well as decision-making around program finances.
Experience developing, reviewing, and implementing Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Plans.
Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations governing Contracts and Cooperative Agreements, and strong experience applying those regulations.
Demonstrated experience of successful teamwork, strong interpersonal skills, and effective written and oral communication.
Desire to contribute to a positive and meaningful work culture.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender.
Experience living and working outside the U.S. in less developed countries.
Proficient in Excel and learning/using online systems.
Fluency in English and excellent writing and communications skills required; proficiency in a second language is a plus.

Location and Travel:

This role is based in DI's home office in Bethesda, Maryland, with occasional international travel (10-15% based on business needs).

Reporting and Supervision:

This position reports to the Director, Program Management
This position supervises Program Managers

Environmental Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, printers, and moderate traffic).
Ability to work in a confined office space/area.
Ability to sit and/or stand at a computer desk for an extended period of time.
Ability to travel on long plane flights across several time zones and at irregular hours.

Physical Requirements Required to Perform Essential Responsibilities:

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to;

Stand, sit; talk, hear, use of hands and fingers, and perform repetitive motions to operate a computer and telephone keyboard.
Reach, stoop, or kneel, to adjust computer and/or telephone equipment.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work.
Hearing abilities required due to telephone.
Light to moderate lifting is possible.
Travel will require moderate lifting, sitting for extended periods of time, overnight flights across multiple time zones;
Regular, predictable attendance is required; as business demands dictate.

Democracy International is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation in its employment process for individuals with disabilities to meet any and all physical requirements of our jobs.

Application Process:

Join our growing team and contribute to innovative program development, creative solutions, and the growth of DI's technical work. Together, we'll drive positive change and contribute to a lasting impact on democracy, human rights, governance, resilience, and conflict transformation.

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The starting salary is approximately $110,000 and commensurate with experience. DI is committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining the best talent, and the position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is identified. Applications without a cover letter will not be reviewed. DI will only contact candidates of interest.

All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. at the time of application.

About the Organization:

DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80+ countries.

DI welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.