[SN-ANNOUNCE] National Democratic Institute: Senior Program Assistant

[National Democratic Institute]

TO ALL SANGONeT USERS 

National Democratic Institute (NDI)
Southern Africa Field Office

Job Announcement
Senior Program Assistant
NDI Southern Africa

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is a
US-based non-profit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy
worldwide. Calling on a global network of volunteer experts, NDI provides
practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic
values, practices and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region
of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard
elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness and accountability
in government.

Through its office in Johannesburg, South Africa, NDI provides targeted
assistance to democratic actors in Southern Africa towards promoting
political party development and strengthening civil society organizations
that promote human rights and fair and transparent electoral processes.

The Senior Program Assistant must be able to perform each essential duty
satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the
knowledge, skills and/or abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.

SUMMARY: The Senior Program Assistant will report directly to Program
Managers in helping to implement democratic development programs in Southern
Africa. Specifically, the Senior Program Assistant's job will include the
following tasks:

PROGRAMMATIC

* Support Program Managers to coordinate, plan and implement NDI Southern
Africa activities such as trainings, seminars, workshops, meetings,
conferences, evaluations, or assessments.  This will include travel and
evening or weekend work;
* Draft written and oral reports on program activities, including drafting a
weekly report of program activities;
* Assist the Program Managers with program development, including work
plans, terms of reference, memorandums of understanding, proposals and
budgets;
* Coordinates with other members of the NDI team on program activities and
logistics as required;
* Draft correspondence and communications materials as requested;
* Provide analysis of regional political developments and support research
relating to NDI's programs, particularly on HIV/AIDS and governance, women's
political participation, extractive industries and electoral programming;
* Monitor coverage of program related topics in regional and international
press;
* Maintain contact with relevant political parties, non-government
organizations, government and other political actors in consultation with
NDI Program Managers, where appropriate;
* Other program duties as assigned.

LOGISTICAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL

* Design and maintain a hard and soft copy filing system for program
documents;
* Prepare, disperse and reconcile financial advances for program activities
in cooperation with the appropriate accounting staff;
* Arrange meetings to support NDI programming; 
* Draft event budgets under direction of Program Managers;
* Support the Program Manager in financial forecasting;
* Prepare financial reconciliations for events and program expenses;   
* Preparation of travel and logistics arrangements for program activities;
and
* Other logistical duties as assigned.

QUALFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

* Bachelors Degree, preferably in International Relations, Political Science
or related field; graduate degree preferred
* Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience in international
development, community organizing, political campaign, organizational
development or legislative affairs preferable
* Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for
educational requirement on a one-for-one basis

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

* High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively
interact with all levels of staff, NDI partners and the general public;
* High level of oral and written communication skills to effectively present
information, respond to questions and prepare written reports in a
professional manner;
* Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team, and to lead
a team;
* Exceptional ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and
draw valid conclusions;
* Extensive knowledge of PC-based word processing and spreadsheet
applications;
* In-depth knowledge of basic budget and accounting procedures;
* Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations; 
* Interest in and in-depth knowledge of regional political environment and
people; 
* Demonstrated ability to understand and analyze regional political
developments; 
* Ability to effectively articulate NDI mission statements and
program/project initiatives;
* Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; 
* Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously; and
* Demonstrated ability to work under tight deadlines.

Candidates must be able to reside and work legally in the Republic of South
Africa. (Visa support cannot be provided) 

Applicants are advised to familiarize themselves with NDI's global as well
as southern Africa programs by visiting www.ndi.org.

Please send your Curriculum Vitae along with a detailed cover letter
explaining why your professional experience makes you the right candidate by
mail or fax to NDI at the address above or by e-mail to:
ndijoburg at mweb.co.za, Subject: Operations and Finance Officer (OFO). No
phone calls please.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:  Friday, July 18, 2008