The National Endowment for Democracy (NED) is a 501(c)3 grantmaking foundation that receives an annual Congressional appropriation of over $315 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 agile, 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 Solutions Officer, Grant Systems 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 being part of an expanding team supporting our brave partners on the frontlines of the fight for freedom and democracy worldwide. This position is based in Washington, D.C.

Position Summary:

The Solutions Officer (SO), Grant Systems, Grantmaking Resource Center (GRC) is an expert user and administrator of the technologies used by the staff of NED’s Grantmaking Program, developing solutions for staff and management users based on her expert knowledge of the systems and the NED’s workflows. They collaborate closely with the other functions of the GRC, Training & Collaboration, and Pre-Approval Process support, as well as with the Information Technology and Knowledge Management team at NED, and the various Grantmaking Program teams at the National Endowment for Democracy. The SO is a non-management position in a functional unit for four, reporting to the Senior Manager of Grant Systems.

Responsibilities:

Work closely with the Grant Operations team and the Training & Collaboration function of the GRC to identify emerging needs in the grantmaking program that can be met through expanded configuration of the grants management database, creation of workflows and task boards, reports, and training, tailored to different staff levels and occupations
Flag data integrity and security issues in NED’s grant systems for the Sr. Manager of Systems and the Sr. Director of GRC
Serve as expert grant systems resource and help desk alongside other Grant Systems colleagues
Collaborate with vendors and IT when needed to find solutions to systems problems that are not user training or support issues
Participate in the design, build, and testing of new systems
Ensure that GMS or other systems solutions are rolled out with appropriate documentation and training to users, alongside the Training & Collaboration function in the GRC
Lead several thematic Grant Systems user groups, including the Power User Group
Liaise with all teams in the grantmaking program directly, and through the GMS Power User Group to understand NED’s grantmaking process and how systems can help make it more effective and efficient
Liaise with grant systems staff at other grantmaking organizations to share best practices in GMS administration and in aligning technology with grants management procedures
Liaise with vendors on issues related to the user experience with NED grant systems, and suggest improvements that would make NED’s work more efficient and secure
Modify written procedures of data management practices as needed
Backstop the Senior Manager, Grant Systems
Other duties as assigned
The level of responsibility and independence in assigned tasks will increase with experience.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field;
4-6 years of experience in grant systems management, grants process management, or related field;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Word and Excel;
Knowledge of Salesforce or GovGrants, Tableau, and Directors Desk is helpful;
Attention to detail and ability to multi-task;
Ability to set priorities, organize time efficiently, and work independently;
Strong team player, preferably in a multicultural environment;
Strong written and oral communication skills; proficiency in second language a plus:
Training, tutoring, or teaching experience preferred;
Authorization 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. Please, no phone call inquiries.

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 $64,500 – USD 102,750, 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 any 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.