The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a 501(c)3 grantmaking foundation that receives an annual Congressional appropriation over $310 million and is governed by a private, bipartisan Board of Directors. This unusual arrangement positions NED to play a unique role as America’s leading foundation for freedom, empowering the institution to be nimble, innovative, and risk-taking in support of democratic activists, civil society organizations, independent media, and the NED family core institutes (the International Republican Institute, the National Democratic Institute, the Center for International Private Enterprise, and the Solidarity Center).

We seek a Grants Officer to help strengthen the impact of our work and mission. This is an opportunity to join an ambitious institution and team committed to the cause of our time. The ideal candidate will be energized by the idea of being part of an expanding team supporting our brave partners on the frontlines of the fight for freedom and democracy around the world.

Position Summary:

The Grants Officer works under the supervision of the principal and/or the Senior Manager of Grants Administration. This position provides hands-on (cradle-to-grave) management of an assigned grant portfolio, working closely with colleagues to provide effective and collaborative due diligence and oversight of grant programs.

The mission of the Grants Administration department is to provide effective and efficient grants management, guiding grantees through the grant lifecycle to support their successful implementation of projects, in support of NED’s mission. The department strives to promote consistent implementation of policy and procedure, flexibility, responsiveness, innovation, and collaboration in the administration of NED’s grantmaking program.

Responsibilities:

Participate in proposal review and risk assessment processes, providing input into the assessment of the eligibility and grants administration capacity of prospective grantees.
Analyze proposal budgets for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness.
Draft new grant agreements and amendments.
Ensure the smooth management of the grants portfolio, including timely payments, quick response to grantee inquiries, and efficient problem-solving.
Maintain an up-to-date grant portfolio, sending all reminders, follow-ups, and closeouts.
Approve grantee financial reports, and payment requests, and conduct resolution of invoice review findings.
Facilitate grantees’ understanding of grant, reporting, and audit requirements.
Ensure that grants awarded follow US Government or other donor regulations and/or other special requirements.
The level of responsibility and independence in assigned tasks will increase with experience.
Mentor junior staff, where applicable.
Other responsibilities and projects as assigned.
The level of responsibility and independence in assigned tasks will increase with experience.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs, relevant area studies, nonprofit administration, or a related field is required.
2+ years of experience, in grants and/or contract administration experience in a nonprofit organization or foundation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel; knowledge of other relational database helpful.
Arabic language desired.
Familiarity with Federal grant regulations and international activities/issues relevant to NED’s operational environment.
Familiarity with or an interest in the Middle East North Africa (MENA) region.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing.
­Attention to detail and ability to multi-task, set priorities, and organize time efficiently.
Strong ability to be a team player and self-starter, comfortable in a supporting role, and working independently.
Ability to work with discretion.
Ability to travel internationally on an occasional basis, as needed, estimated to be less than 10% of the time.
Authorized to work in the United States.

This position is part of the NED Bargaining Unit.

To Apply:

Applications must include a cover letter, resume, desired salary, and contact information for three professional references, of which one should be a supervisor.

Located in Washington, D.C., the salary range for this role is $51,750 – USD 70,750, plus benefits. The final offer for a successful candidate will be determined by a combination of factors, including, but not limited to, skill set, level of experience, education, and market considerations.

At NED, we recognize that our most important asset is our people. We value the diversity of skills and perspectives our team brings to our work. We believe an inclusive and supportive work environment fosters a culture of respect and appreciation for all individuals. NED is committed to creating a workplace that allows everyone to be their authentic selves and make meaningful contributions to our organization, our grantees, and our world.

NED strives to create a work experience that supports the well-being and healthy work-life balance of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package offers health insurance (includes no copay for mental health services), a generous retirement savings plan, paid parental, vacation, and sick leave, a hybrid workplace model, flexible work schedules, and wellness initiatives to ensure a positive work-life balance.

NED is dedicated to creating an environment of respect and collaboration where everyone is encouraged to participate and take ownership of their work. We offer flexible work schedules and, for most positions, the opportunity for weekly telework days. This hybrid approach allows our employees to balance their work and personal lives while still participating in the collaborative process at the heart of our mission.

The NED is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics covered by applicable law. The NED is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation for all qualified individuals and bases all employment decisions on qualifications, merit, and business needs. The NED believes that diversity and inclusion among our team members are critical to our success as an organization operating globally and seeks to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

Please, no phone call inquiries. For more information, please visit our website at www.ned.org or careers@ned.org.