Job Details

Description

About Us

The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government.  Help support democracy by joining our team! 

About the Role

NDI is seeking a Director to provide creative and impactful vision, guidance and leadership to NDI’s design, implementation, and evaluation of programming related to gender, women, and democracy.  The incumbent will be NDI’s programmatic leader on a technical area that is one of the organization’s flagship issues with the aim to change gender norms, increase equality, and foster women’s political leadership. The Director will contribute to quality NDI programs and will contribute thought leadership, knowledge management and innovation to the broader international democracy support community. They will manage a diverse team of experts in gender, power and politics whose primary focus is to provide evidence-based support, technical knowledge, and guidance across NDI’s regional teams, country offices,  local partners and donors related to the political participation and leadership of women and girls in all their diversity. The Director will collaborate with NDI’s leadership to sustain and enhance NDI’s position as a global practice leader in this area; represent the Institute in public forums and in relationships with international organizations; and provide guidance to, and participate in, NDI election missions. The Director will also contribute to NDI’s overall strategy and annual planning,  and work closely with the Executive Office and other leaders to provide input on the Institute’s internal policies and global priorities. The position reports to the NDI Chief Programs Officer and is based in the Institute’s headquarters in Washington, DC.  Regular in-office presence is expected, and regular travel is required. 

Your Purpose and Impact: 

• Lead and manage the Gender, Women and Democracy team in representing NDI’s work on this issue and in manifesting NDI’s core values -- accountability, transparency, equity, inclusion, pluralism, civic participation and rule of law -- in its work with colleagues and partners.
• Provide strategic vision and thought leadership for the GWD team, Institute colleagues, partners and broader international community on emerging trends, challenges and opportunities for securing and advancing gender equity and women’s leadership in politics and public life as essential elements of democratic governance and the exercise of civil and political rights.
• Contribute to NDI’s agility in addressing the political participation of women in all their diversity through innovation in and quality of: program strategy, design, and implementation; methodologies, techniques and tools for programs; as well as monitoring,  evaluation and learning. This includes deepening NDI’s work on social behavior change (SBC) and use of feminist organizing models. 
• Provide strategic management to and support professional development of a team of motivated experts and maintain collaborative communication systems (staff meetings, reporting protocols, knowledge management systems, etc.) to ensure team cohesion, mentorship and learning, effective workflow, productivity, and collaboration with other NDI regional, country, functional, and administrative teams, and partners.
• Work closely and collaboratively with colleagues across NDI’s administrative, programming, and country teams to achieve shared goals and objectives. Ensure a professional and respectful workplace environment, reflective of NDI’s values, in DC and country offices, as well as with partners and others. . 
• Engage with NDI’s Executive Management Team and Directors on developing and implementing effective democratic development strategies, including priority initiatives, policy documents and proposals. Anticipate and analyze trends and events in political, social and economic developments and gauge their impact on current and future programs.
• Ensure all activities are performed/completed in compliance with applicable regulations and laws, as well as in accordance with NDI’s established values, policies, standards and procedures. Ensure that responsibilities, authority and accountability for all direct reports are defined and understood.
• Nurture and develop relationships, partnerships and networks with intergovernmental, international, regional and nongovernmental organizations, citizen groups and networks, and other relevant actors to secure and advance gains in gender, women and democracy.
• Foster and enhance relationships with international democracy assistance agencies, including National Endowment for Democracy, USAID, US State Department DRL Bureau, and other international donor agencies.
• Represent NDI at relevant conferences and events.  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Twenty years of relevant experience in progressive leadership roles, in democracy, international development, human rights or related fields. 
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in international relations, and gender or women’s studies or a related subject, or equivalent experience. Postgraduate degree preferred.
• Proven managerial skills, including experience in leading and inspiring diverse teams, fostering collaborative and supportive working environments, and providing leadership on competing urgent priorities.
• Broad and extensive knowledge of the interrelationships of gender, power, and equity in defending and advancing democratic development in a variety of global, regional and geo-political contexts.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in gender-transformative democracy programming and the application of gender and intersectional analysis and gender mainstreaming to programs in elections, political parties, governance and citizen participation.
• Detailed knowledge of global mechanisms, including gender and women’s rights mechanisms,  to strengthen inclusive and equitable democratic norms and institutions. 
• Deep understanding of how information technologies and other emerging trends in the political and social environment impact women’s political participation, leadership and policy making.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and stakeholders on design, budgeting, planning and execution of programs. 
• Extensive experience in alliance and coalition building, reform advocacy and organizational development for evidence-based, systematic monitoring and strategic communications campaigning.
• Facility in engaging with political and policy leaders concerning urgent gender, women, and democracy matters with key stakeholders in other countries and assisting NDI leaders and program staff in such matters.
• Exceptional diplomatic and interpersonal skills, and integrity.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to translate complex information into meaningful and understandable language for diverse audiences.
• Exceptional analytical skills for interpreting complex programmatic and political issues.
• Demonstrated ability to manage uncertainty and to operate in complex country environments, as well as maintain composure and demonstrate control in difficult or complex situations.
• Ability to adapt to changing political circumstances and respond to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders.
• Proven capacity to meet goals while managing competing representational, programmatic, administrative, supervisory and other responsibilities.
• Proficiency with Google Suite tools.
• Ability to travel to international locations.
• Fluency in English; proficiency in one or more languages desirable.

What We Offer:

We offer an environment committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a core part of our culture. We strive to foster empowerment and belonging as these values are central to our mission and to our impact. We believe that diversity in thought helps us solve the complex problems we face around the globe. 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes health, dental, vision, a generous PTO policy, flexible schedules, and a 10% employer contribution to the retirement pension.

This position offers an anticipated salary range of approximately $149,600-$ 194,500. 

Additional Information: 

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environment and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA, or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI. 

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. As an equal opportunity employer, NDI encourages individuals with disabilities, including disabled veterans or veterans with service-connected disabilities, to apply. 

If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department at Human_Resources_team@ndi.org.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)