The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC invites applications for the position of Program Director for its Foreign & Security Policy Program. The program supports a broad conception of foreign and security policy and aims to increase transatlantic and global solidarity to chart a more peaceful, feminist, and sustainable future. In an era marked by rising authoritarianism, economic pressures, the climate crisis, refugee flows, and fragile multilateral coalitions, the program seeks to forge a more resilient transatlantic partnership capable of responding to these challenges and countering the anti-democratic forces gaining strength on both sides of the Atlantic.
Key areas of focus include:
- Providing nuanced political analysis to German and European partners and policymakers about US political developments
- Broadening the understanding of security to reflect the complex threats facing North American and European democracies through concepts such as human security, feminist foreign policy, climate foreign policy, with a particular focus on human rights
- Supporting underrepresented voices—including younger experts, racial and gender minorities, and those from Global Majority countries—to better access and inform transatlantic policy debates
- Supporting democratic actors in the foreign and security policy space on both sides of the Atlantic and expanding our network among partners in Canada
- Strengthening local and regional US partners committed to transatlantic diplomacy and a partnership founded on shared values and rule of law
The program brings together policymakers, foreign policy experts, and civil society representatives through study tours, publications, events, off-the-record roundtable discussions, workshops, visitor programs, and fellowships. It primarily observes the work of the US administration, the US Congress, NATO, and relevant UN organizations while collaborating closely with other programs in the DC office, the foundation's headquarters in Berlin, and partners and foundation offices worldwide.
The anticipated start date for this position is January 2026.
Responsibilities
The Program Director is responsible for all program-related activities.
Specifically, she/he/they:
- Designs the strategic vision for the program’s goals and activities, in close coordination with the executive director
- Organizes, coordinates and implements the program’s activities including conferences, workshops, publications, study tours, and visitor programs
- Provides expert analysis to key partners and to the interested public
- Undertakes policy research and writing, including for external publication
- Identifies and builds partnerships in the US and Europe with relevant Heinrich Böll Foundation offices, US and European governmental and non-governmental institutions, and international organizations
- Represents the program to the media
- Manages the program’s website publications, including regular updates, preparation of reports, and other information
- Manages program funds in close cooperation with the Finance Manager, including budget planning and expense monitoring
- Conducts monitoring and evaluation for program activities
Required Qualifications
- Oral and written fluency in English
- Relevant graduate degree
- Relevant work and/or academic experience
- Strong grasp of current foreign and security policy debates, particularly regarding the transatlantic relationship, NATO, and the EU and its neighborhood
- Strong interest in issues of human security, feminist foreign policy, climate foreign policy, global justice and other approaches to foreign and security policy that go beyond a narrow focus on hard security
- Strong critical/strategic thinking and excellent writing skills
- Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail
- Diplomatic and collaborative
- Creative, self-directed, and responsible work attitude
- Appreciation for working in international and culturally diverse teams
- Sensitivity for issues of gender equality, racial justice, and intersectionality
- Genuine interest in the values and mission of the green movement and the Heinrich Böll Foundation
Note on work experience: program directors come with different levels of job experience. Successful candidates tend to have a minimum of 5 years of work experience and current program directors have an average of 12 years of work experience. We welcome applications from candidates with more and less experience and adjust salaries accordingly.
Preferred Qualifications
Having the qualifications below will strengthen an application. However, candidates without these qualifications are still welcome to apply.
- Oral and written fluency in German
- An understanding of German and/or European green movements and parties, and a network of relevant connections
- Familiarity with and relevant connections to the transatlantic foreign policy community
- Strong public speaking skills and experience moderating/speaking on panels, in media interviews, and other public fora
- Demonstrated experience in building and managing partnerships
- Proven research, writing, and editing skills, for example through publications
- Experience in managing a program budget
We offer:
- A family-friendly office culture
- A bike- and metro-accessible downtown office, with a hybrid work schedule
- A dynamic, welcoming, and non-hierarchical team environment that encourages creativity and collaboration
- Opportunities for domestic and international travel
- A strong progressive values orientation
- Excellent benefits:
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- Insurance: vision, dental, and health insurance, including employer contribution to premiums; short-term disability insurance; life insurance; flexible health spending account
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- Paid Leave: 12 weeks of paid family/medical leave in line with the District of Columbia's Paid Family Leave regulations; six weeks of paid prenatal leave for birthing parents; up to additional three months of unpaid parental leave; 20 vacation days; federal holidays; 10 sick days
- Other: 401(k) with a 6% employer match; pre-tax commuter benefits; paid time off and small annual stipend for professional development opportunities
- Annual salary in the range of $93,000 - $103,000. For equity and transparency, salaries are calculated based on level of education and prior experience and are not negotiable
The job location is Washington, DC. Occasional international and domestic program-related travel is required. This is a full-time position (40 hours/week). We are not able to consider remote work.
Application Instructions:
- Please apply with a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample of 1-5 pages via BambooHR.
- Please confirm that you are a US citizen, permanent resident, or otherwise hold a US work permit. The Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC is not able to sponsor visas.
- Please apply by Sunday, November 2, 2025. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to close the application early.
About the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC
The Heinrich Böll Foundation is an international organization that is part of the global green movement. The foundation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a network of more than 30 offices around the world. It advances political and socioeconomic transformations through civic engagement and political dialogue.
The Washington, DC office is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that runs programs focused on democracy, foreign & security policy, climate & environmental policy, digital policy, global development policy, and international climate finance & policy. Through our programmatic work, we aim to strengthen civil liberties, human rights, and democratic institutions; we promote gender equality, social justice, and equity; and we strive to preserve a habitable planet for current and future generations. As part of a global network, we are deeply engaged in global and transatlantic dialogue. We work to shape multilateral processes and the norms that govern them, and to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Europe. We foster these goals through a diversity of projects, such as public seminars, fellowships, study tours, and publications.
For more information, please refer to our website
. For questions regarding the application process, please contact Carla Adams at carla.adams@us.boell.org.
Our Diversity Commitment: The Heinrich Böll Foundation is committed to offering a diverse and inclusive workplace and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We welcome applications from candidates with a demonstrated commitment to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion and encourage candidates from historically marginalized communities to apply.
Our Code of Conduct: We are committed to gender equality and a zero-tolerance policy for any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment in our work, both internally and with partners.