Program Officer – Stabilization Program At People Demand Change

Vacancy ID: PDC-SY-001

Job Title: Program Officer

Location: Washington DC or Remote work within time zones UTC -4 to UTC +4

Apply by: August 25^th, 2021

Start Date: September 1^st, 2021

Duration: 12 months (full-time)**

Qualification: Bachelors in International Relations, International Development, Social Sciences, Economics OR a high school diploma + 5 years work experience in the aid and development field

Other Qualifications: experience building financial and programmatic reports is essential

Sector Experience: 1-3 years relevant program/project management experience / experience or knowledge of M&E a plus.

Geographical Experience: minimum 1-3 years’ experience in the Middle East (desirable)**

Languages: Fluency in English (required)

Fluency in Arabic (required)**

Job Description:

PDC Overview: People Demand Change Inc. (or PDC), was established in early 2013 in response to the seismic changes taking place in the Middle East and North Africa, and the need for the implementation of a new relationship between aid providers and the communities on the ground being served. PDC helps in aiding this transformation by developing long-term relationships with key communities and populations within the region, working with them in a collaborative and culturally competent fashion that considers the changing dynamics of this region over the course of time. PDC works to support local governance structures and civil society organizations through programming and training across the MENA region, while also working to create accountability and transparency for development work in the MENA region through its monitoring and evaluation and third-party monitoring work with humanitarian aid and development programs alike. PDC strives to uphold core humanitarian principles when operating in conflict affected communities including do no harm and light footprint. PDC works to ensure gender equality, inclusion and diversity, and works to provide fair and equal opportunities for all, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, geographic origin or national status. PDC has a zero-tolerance policy with regards to corruption and sexual harassment.

Program Overview: PDC’s stabilization program focuses: 1) rehabilitating water infrastructure in support of local communities; 2) provision of capacity building on a variety of topic to local institutions and civil society organizations; 3) support for local conflict mediation and mitigation measures and; 4) atmospherics research in support of the entire program.

Overview of Position: PDC is searching for a dynamic and experienced professional who can support PDC’s current stabilization program in North Syria by providing management support and financial and administrative backstop to PDC’s field teams in support of the full implementation of the program. PDC is searching for an experienced self-starting Program Officer who can support PDC’s current operations in Northern Syria, build & maintain close relationships with our field staff, and coordinate with them regarding the implementation of activities. The Program Officer position will be a bridge between PDC home office staff and PDC’s field staff working on the ground. **

Role Objectives: The Program Officer will be providing a primary management role to PDC’s stabilization program in Northern Syria, coordinating between PDC’s home office and field staff.

Major Role Responsibilities:

• Work to coordinate with PDC’s field staff to ensure program activities are being implemented according to program timeline, and provide administrative support as needed.
• Production of program narrative reports on a monthly and quarterly basis, which will be provided to PDC’s funder.
• Support the Managing Director in the production of PDC’s internal M&E reports
• Support the Executive Director in the production of PDC’s financial reports and supporting documentation, which will be provided to PDC’s funder.
• Work on the production of PDC’s quarterly research assessment reports which supports PDC’s field activities.
• Coordinate with PDC’s regional offices in Gaziantep, Turkey and Erbil, Iraq as required in support of the program in question.
• Provide support to any internal reporting mechanisms from the field back to the home office, as required by internal organizational guidance.
• Participate in any coordination team meetings, as needed.
• Participate in any meetings with PDC’s funder, as required to provide programmatic updates.
• Provide administrative support for PDC’s sub-grants and consultancy agreements as part of PDC’s stabilization program.

Project Reporting: The program officer will report directly to the Executive Director and Managing Director in the home office.**

Key Competencies:

• Bachelors in International Relations, International Development, Social Sciences, Economics OR a high school diploma + 5 years of work experience in the aid and development field.**
• 1-3 years relevant program/project management experience / experience or knowledge of M&E a plus.**
• minimum 1-3 years’ experience in the Middle East (desirable)**
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required
• Project management
• Familiarity with internal M&E procedures
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, especially when working across multiple cultural and linguistic boundaries**
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Comprehensive capabilities in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe and online communication applications.
• Flexibility & adaptability to manage a range of different tasks & to work extra hours to meet deadlines
• Experience working in complex & challenging environments
• Experience with following and maintaining proper digital security protocols and procedures.

Team Management: This role requires strong experience in supporting in-country field teams in non-permissive and conflict environments.**

Further Information: experience with statistical analysis, GIS mapping and/or trendline analysis is a plus.