NDI Moldova Job Vacancy: Deputy Country Director

About Us

The National Democratic Institute(NDI) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government.  Help support democracy worldwide by joining our team!

Since two decades back, NDI Moldova is working to support democratization, civicness, democratic political parties, local democracy, governance reforms and information integrity. NDI Moldova has an office in central Chisinau and a staff of around 25 spirited co-workers.

About the position

The position of Deputy Country Director can either be a citizen of Moldova (local hire) or an International, non-Moldovan. Local knowledge and international experience are equally qualifying.

About the Role

NDI Moldova is looking for a Deputy Country Director who will provide strong democratic development experience as well as excellent program and staff management skills for NDI’s Moldova program. The Deputy Country Director reports to the Resident Director and is responsible for the overall programmatic aspects of NDI’s work in Chisinau, Moldova. The Deputy Country Director will manage program staff, liaise with the program donors, and ensure adherence to program budget and donor requirements. NDI Moldova also supports civil society, women’s and youth empowerment, and protecting the integrity of the information space, all of which are informed by regular public opinion research.

The Deputy Director is charged with conducting regular political analysis, managing multiple programs, and maintaining relationships with international partners and donor agencies. The Deputy Director will work in close coordination with the Resident Director and Washington, DC-based staff to manage the programmatic, administrative, financial, and logistical aspects of NDI’s work in Moldova.

Your Purpose and Impact

• Oversee program management, ensuring the effective and efficient execution of program work plans, including activities, outcomes, and timelines. Monitor progress, identify problems and barriers, and make recommendations for necessary adjustments to ensure successful, quality outcomes within approved budgets;
• Ensure compliance with donor, NDI and regional operational policies and regulations;
• Supervise local staff and oversee consultant assignments; 
• Deputize when required for the Resident Director;
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, subgrant partners, donors, and other partners;
• Continually monitor political events in the relevant international landscape and assess potential impacts on programs and partners. Report on political developments in Ukraine that may affect program outcomes to the DC-based staff on a regular basis;
• Work closely with NDI Security and Operations and Risk Management personnel to assess and coordinate appropriate security and risk management measures for the Institute’s program operations, including physical security, cybersecurity, and COVID-19 risk management;
• Work with other international organizations on the implementation of complementary programming;
• Coordinate with local and DC staff for developing proposals, budgets, workplans, and reports and ensure documents reflect NDI priorities, strategy, needs and objectives;
• Assist in identifying and securing additional funding for NDI programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred, in a field of study related to international development; political science, international relations, public policy, law, or a related field preferred;
• A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in progressively more responsible management roles in international development, with significant experience administering democracy and governance programs;
• Relevant professional experience in the region strongly preferred; comparable relevant experience in other geographic regions will also be considered;
• Proven interpersonal and managerial skills and cultural sensitivity to manage local teams; 
• Experience in managing multi-stakeholder processes and strong communication and negotiation skills; demonstrated ability to develop solid working relationships with local partners and staff;
• Strong experience managing large and complex subgrants;
• Demonstrated experience in program cycle management, including experience in results-oriented program design, strategic planning, program evaluation; financial and budgetary planning; and contractual management and oversight. Experience with USAID-funded programming highly desirable;
• Demonstrated experience in democracy and governance, either as a practitioner or international development implementer. Expertise in one or more of the following: political party strengthening; democratic governance; gender, women, and democracy, LGBTQ+ inclusion; civil society development; information integrity; or election processes. 
• Prior management and implementation of large international development programs 
• Exceptional analytical skills for interpreting complex program and political issues;
• Ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the region’s political environment and NDI programming track record an asset
• Experience working in conflict and post-conflict environments highly desirable

What We Offer

We offer an environment committed to promoting democratic principles and practice as a core part of our culture. We believe that diversity in thought helps us solve the complex problems we face around the globe. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive benefits and allowance package based on the country of residency.

To apply send resume and cover letter, in English language, to: Eurasia_recruitment@ndi.org

Additional Information: 

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EEO). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, or any other basis protected by law.