Program Officer

Company Overview

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 Officer
Reports to: Regional Director                    

Scope: CIPE is seeking a full-time, exempt position based in Washington, D.C. for a Program Officer for Pacific Island Countries. This position is responsible for the development and implementation of CIPE’s strategic focus on democratic governance through private sector collective action initiatives to improve business participation, economic freedom, and opportunity across the region by developing regional and country strategies, communications strategies, project implementation, and support grants to local business organizations, think tanks, and chambers of commerce. This position involves frequent travel to the region. 

Responsibilities: 

• Contribute to the development and implementation of strategy for accomplishing CIPE’s objectives on improving democratic governance and advancing market reforms in region. 
• Design, implement, and manage a portfolio of projects and grants for the assigned region, supportive of CIPE’s overall goals and strategies for target countries. Project responsibilities have the following dimensions:  
  • Develop project concept papers, proposals, reports, and correspondence. 
  • Act as CIPE’s representative to promote democratic market-oriented institutional reforms in region including developing and implementing training programs, public speaking at events, and facilitating meetings with partners, potential partners, and other stakeholders. 
  • Analyze, research, and be familiar with the region’s political and economic landscape, identifying opportunities for CIPE programs and partners. 
  • Identify potential partner organizations and beneficiaries in country and collaborate to design effective democratic and economic-reform programs. 
  • Analyze both solicited and unsolicited project proposals in the context of the regional socio-political context, CIPE strategy, grant guidelines, and criteria.  
  • Collaborate with partners to refine project proposals, monitoring and evaluation plans, and project budgets. 
  • Implement, monitor, and manage all project activities, in collaboration with local partner organizations and CIPE team members.  
  • Establish and maintain regular communication with project partners and other stakeholders.  
  • Maintain correspondence and operational records regarding CIPE-funded programs in the assigned portfolio. 
  • Monitor grantees, contractors, and consultants’ performance to ensure full compliance with objectives, financial and reporting requirements, and evaluation plans.  
  • Evaluate projects through on-site visits, file reviews, and coordination with independent evaluators, where appropriate.  
  • Develop project reports, summaries, and assessments. 

• Provide oversight of CIPE country representatives across the assigned portfolio, includes supervision and leadership on all project activities, budgets, and expenditures.  
• Responsible for the financial management and stewardship of funds, including monitoring project spending, projecting future expenses, approving expenditures, and developing accurate budget for new projects. May include financial and operational oversight of a field office.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other donor organizations to identify linkages with CIPE strategies, monitor trends, and assess new funding opportunities. Work with the U.S. State Department, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and other assistance programs to develop joint projects, grants and/or contracts to further democratic and economic reform initiatives. 
• Collaborate with multiple CIPE departments to achieve programmatic goals, including Communications, Grants and Finance, Policy and Program Learning, and other regional teams.  
• Monitor current events, including political and economic changes, and US relations in region and assess the impact on ongoing and planned CIPE projects. 
• Adhere to appropriate CIPE, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce policies and procedures. 
• Supervise, develop, and manage junior program staff, such as Program Associates and Associate Program Officers. 
• Contribute to external communications; author blogs and other publications to advance CIPE’s thought leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree in one the following fields is required: International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, or Public Policy. 
• Master’s degree, or the equivalent experience in International Relations, International Business, Economic Development, Political Science, or Public Policy is preferred. 
• Minimum 3-6 years of professional experience with international assistance programs, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, and/or associations in region, preferably in the assigned countries.  
• Minimum 3-6 years of experience with program management and program implementation at the strategic level, preferred. 
• Experience with international development and topics consistent with CIPE’s mission, including anti-corruption and business ethics, democratic governance, business association advocacy, entrepreneurship and others. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop, establish, and maintain good relationships with international partners, donors, and colleagues. 
• Strong public speaking and writing skills with attention to detail.  
• Proposal writing skills is required. 
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking and analytical skills. 
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team environment, as well as independently with minimum supervision; ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks. 
• Strong project management skills.
• Ability to supervise, develop and manage young professionals and other staff, when applicable.
• Prior experience with Department of State (DoS) run programs is preferred. 
• Knowledge of and experience working in the Pacific Islands, or supporting partners in Pacific Island countries, is preferred.
• Demonstrated project management in NGOs. 
• Proficiency in MS-Office, specifically Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Must be able and willing to travel for extended and multiple periods.
• High degree of culture competence.
• Contribute to an organization-wide culture of innovation, integrity, inclusion, and respect.

THE SALARY RANGE FOR THIS POSITION IS $55,000-$69,000 PER YEAR

Benefits and Perks

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. Our recruitment process is competitive and designed to identify the most qualified candidates for each position