Program Officer - Civil Society & Media

Counterpart International seeks a full-time DC-based Program Officer to support a project in a potentially closed, non-permissive environment. The Program Officer, under the supervision of the CSO Technical Lead, will support the project’s local partners’ operation in the field and provide assistance in implementation of the activities. The Program Officer will coordinate activities among different departments such as Grants, M&E, Finance, Project Support Unit (PSU), and Project Management Unit (PMU). The Program Officer will provide support to overall contractual, operational, and financial management of the project local partners and will provide necessary mentorship, guidance, and technical support for partners’ project implementation as well as their organizational development processes. The Program Officer will review applicants’ proposals and participate in the Grants Technical Evaluation Committee (GTEC). As part of the program team, the Program Officer will largely contribute to the Annual Work Plan (AWP) processes, conduct regular studies of the context, and provide state analysis in their respective areas.
This position is based in Washington, DC, but remote applicants can also be considered.
Responsibilities
Delivery and Technical Excellence:

• Provide day-to-day program management support and provide effective coordination to project implementing partners on the ground.
• Draft and archive project deliverables including weekly highlights, quarterly reports, AWP, and others.
• Review grant’s applicant proposals and participate in GTEC to evaluate applications.
• Provide contractual/agreement quality control and compliance with guidance from program, grants, and compliance.
• Ensure adherence and compliance to USAID rules and regulations, obtain regular updates and information from the field regarding changes and limitations posed to civil society and media regulatory environment and states of human rights situation. Ensure that partners operate in compliance with USAID rules and regulations.
• Conduct needs assessments, training, and technical support to implementing partners and provide mentorship and coaching to partners on the ground.
• Support partners in recruitment of key personnel, short-term consultant (if any). Monitor project implementation, detect partners’ project implementation problems and glitches, and help them take corrective actions.
• Manage a portfolio of grants and serve as project point of contact for the implementing partners. Make sure to coordinate between grants and M&E team for their respective portfolio.
• Develop deliverables for Fixed Award Agreements (FAA) to contribute to the contract development processes, review implementing partners work plan, budget, program reports against agreed upon deliverables and provide approval for further payment processes in coordination with Grants and M&E.
• Other duties as assigned by the program management team.

Learning and Innovation:

• Mentor and coach implementing partners' project team including managers and technical staff.
• Contribute to the project and Counterpart International’s learning agenda. 
• Conduct regular study and analysis of the context.
• Engage in self-driven professional development and growth activities. 

Annual Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000
Qualifications

• Prior experience in USAID civil society and media-focused projects, especially in closed civic spaces, and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations.
• 5-8 years professional work experience in civil society, media, and human rights.  
• Strong command of English, Dari and/or Pashtu languages
• Strong verbal and written communications skills, including delivering formal and informal presentations and drafting and editing deliverables.
• Attention to details, good organizational and prioritization skills.
• Interest and knowledge of the Middle East and North Africa.
• Budget and proposal review skills as well as management.
• Willingness to mentor project team, support organizational development process and offer technical assistance.
• Bachelor’s degree in related field, including political science, governance and civil society, gender and human rights, international development, or a relevant combination of education and work experience required.  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and in a team.

Note: When you apply, please mention in the subject line of your email what specific area of focus you are applying to, for example, Program Officer – Civil Society & Media.