Freedom House, through its Emergency Assistance Program (EAP), provides support to at-risk human rights defenders, civil society organizations and survivors of religious persecution on the basis of belief or non-belief. Dignity for All: LGBTQI Assistance Program (Dignity) is one of the funds managed by EAP to support LGBTQI+ defenders and civils society organizations. The Dignity Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Learning Initiatives will work within EAP at Freedom House. The SPO for Learning will create learning initiatives and develop resources on best practices for the safety, protection and security that can be shared with the LGBTQI+ movement. The SPO will also support Dignity's Senior Program Manager in strategic planning, program design, program implementation and representing the program to external audiences and stakeholders. This position reports to the Senior Program Manager, Dignity for All.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND EXPECTATIONS:
- Movement and stakeholders' learning initiatives: Spearhead this initiative to investigate and learn from the movement and stakeholders about the protection and security of LGBTQI+ human rights defenders, community members, and other stakeholders across all regions in which Dignity works.
- Research and Publication: Lead Dignity's efforts to document good practices and related resources for the benefit of LGBTQI+ human rights defenders, community members, and other stakeholders across all regions in which Dignity works to foster cross-regional learning, resiliency, and holistic, proactive, and community-based approaches to safety and security.
- Project implementation - Assist with managing donor awards, including developing work plans, identifying consultants, organizing workshops, meetings, and events, drafting program reports, and maintaining productive working relationships with donor counterparts and partners.
- Support EAP efforts to develop holistic learning initiatives across the program.
- Support Dignity for All's grant-making portfolio. With the guidance of the Senior Program Manager, and in collaboration with regional specialists and the Dignity for All staff, contribute to managing the emergency and urgent grant-making components of the Dignity for All portfolio.
- External relations and advocacy. Effectively and professionally represent FH and its emergency assistance programs publicly in domestic and international venues. Build strong external alliances and networks and collaborative approaches with donors and the diplomatic community, congressional staff, partners and grantees, policy community, peer NGOs, and think tanks.
- Collaboration. Participate in EAP and FH activities geared toward organizational success and strength, including cross-team collaboration activities. Maintain an effective and collaborative working relationship with all other EAP staff and FH units, and share and exchange information about the assigned program's activities, approaches, and strategies.
- Travel. Travel within U.S. and abroad as required.
JOB QUALIFICATIONS:
Education:
- Bachelors' degree in political science, international relations, anthropology or related field
- Master's degree in political science, international relations, anthropology or related field strongly preferred
- Minimum six to eight years of involvement in the field of global LGBTQI+ human rights
- Experience with research, learning initiatives, and capturing best practices
- At least one year of experience living and working in LGBTQI+ human rights in a region where Dignity funds is strongly preferred
Training or Certification:
- MS Office Suite, specifically Excel and Word
- USG rules and regulations
- Program management
- Ability to use digitally secure means of communication and secure digital databases
- Mastery of human rights principles and mechanisms, knowledge of and experience in democracy promotion required. Previous experience with emergency/rapid assistance or holistic security support to frontline defenders is helpful.
- Strong ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing; ability to communicate effectively in a second relevant language (Arabic, Spanish, French, Portuguese, or Russian) strongly preferred
- Proven ability to conduct practical and applied research and to clearly and succinctly communicate complex concepts verbally and in writing; ability to draft 'camera ready' (i.e., final) documents of all types for external audiences including donors, congress, media, etc., is a MUST
- Ability to work independently and strong program management skills from design through implementation and strong ability to manage own time, multi-task, and meet tight deadlines
- Ability to collaborate with others and work as an effective team member in a collegial and positive manner
- Excellent inter-personal, diplomatic, and cross-cultural skills
- Excellent crisis management and conflict mediation skills
- Excellent judgment in problem solving and decision-making
- Familiarity with new communications technology and digital security
- Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentiality regarding all aspects of work at all times
Attributes and Characteristics:
- Strong and sustained commitment to FH mission, including good stewardship of organizational resources
- Responsiveness to stakeholder (including donor) needs and willingness to solicit stakeholder feedback to improve service quality
- Strong desire for excellence, and ability to inspire others to attain it
- Awareness of own strengths and weaknesses; commitment to learning from experience and through training and development opportunities
- Commitment to working transparently and respectfully with supervisors
- Internal : U.S. and field employees throughout FH
- External : Partners, subgrantees, donors, consultants, other implementers, embassy staff, media, vendors, members of the general public, etc., without supervision
WORKING CONDITIONS:
General Working Conditions:
- General working office environment
- Some long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks or attend events
- Overseas travel approximately 20% of the time
- Exposed to outside weather conditions when required to attend event venues or travel
- May involve work in regions that are remote and lack basic modern infrastructure, and in countries under U.S. travel advisory due to threats of terrorist attacks, civil unrest, kidnappings, disease outbreaks, etc.
- Sedentary, regularly required to sit for extended periods of time; constantly talk, hear and understand speech at normal levels using a telephone. Occasionally required to stand, walk, and bend over, reach overhead, use hands, wrists and fingers, to grasp, push, pull, move, handle, feel, and type. Constantly required to use close vision and distance vision for regular computer work. Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. to waist height.
QUALIFIED & INTERESTED APPLICANTS
Qualified candidates must complete an online application and submit a resume, and a cover letter.
Please include salary expectations in your cover letter.
Only candidates who have been selected for an interview will be contacted.
Preference for this to be a D.C. based position with authorization to work in the U.S. However, open to other candidates.
Disclaimer: This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.
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