Assistant Program Officer, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Position Title: Assistant Program Officer, Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Grade Level: Level 4 - Exempt
Reports to: Senior Program Manager

About NED

The National Endowment for Democracy supports freedom around the world.  

At NED, we deliver on the belief that freedom is a universal aspiration. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NED is a private, nonprofit foundation, mandated by Congress, dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.  

NED reflects an enduring American commitment to stand with those striving for dignity, justice, and opportunity. In 2025, NED made 1,552 grants totaling $271 million to support the work of nongovernmental organizations advancing democratic goals in more than 90 countries, including some of the world’s most challenging and repressive environments. 

We seek talented, entrepreneurial professionals motivated by purpose and committed to excellence. At NED, you will join a dynamic team of experts who bring their skills, curiosity, and judgment to a consequential mission at a critical moment for democracy around the world. Our work is guided by our shared values: excellence, respect, empathy, accountability, and adaptability. 

Position Summary

The Assistant Program Officer will work with Middle East and North Africa (MENA) program leadership to assist with the management, administration, and development of NED's programming in North Africa, and possibly other Middle East countries.

This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC, and is part of the bargaining unit.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of civic actors working on good governance, media freedom, human rights, rule of law, public policy, civic education, and other areas related to democratic development.
• Assist in the evaluation of project proposals.
• Produce written materials and presentations to provide funding recommendations to NED leadership.
• Communicate regularly with existing grantees, often in Arabic and/or French.
• Monitor the implementation of NED-approved projects and evaluate the effectiveness and the institutional growth of NED grantees by analyzing grantee reports and products, providing feedback on implemented activities, maintaining continuous communication over the grant cycle, and conducting regular field visits.
• Help organize events to highlight specific democracy-related issues in coordination with the other MENA team members.
• Travel to the region as needed, and occasionally under difficult conditions, to monitor existing grantees, identify new funding opportunities, and gain on-the-ground perspective on the political situation.
• Monitor political developments in the region relevant to the portfolio to inform NED strategies and programming, including reading various US- and regional-based publications, meeting with political analysts and other contacts, keeping abreast of the changing political environment, and actively coordinating with other MENA team members.
• Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners, and regional organizations.
• Liaise with other NED teams and participate in various working groups and other efforts to improve NED’s overall functioning and effectiveness.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development, Middle East and North Africa studies, or a related discipline required; Master's Degree preferred.
• 2 - 4years of relevant professional experience in democracy support, human rights, civil society, or a related field, including experience living and/or working in the Middle East and North Africa.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in both English and Arabic are required. Additionally, French language proficiency is preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office is required.
• Field experience with NGOs in one or more MENA countries is preferred.
• Knowledge of political issues and trends in the MENA region, particularly North Africa.
• Ability to travel to the MENA region, particularly North African countries as needed.
• High degree of organization and initiative.
• Experience in grant-making and democratic development is desirable.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player, including coordination and facilitation skills.
• Must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. NED is unable to sponsor or transfer employment visa sponsorship at this time.

Talent in Action

Consistent with NED’s talent statement, and grounded in our values, the successful individual in this role will demonstrate the following competencies in the delivery of their work while supporting NED’s efforts to advance democratic change:

• Purpose-Driven
• Reliable
• Expertise
• Respectful Collaboration
• Curiosity
• Results-Oriented
• An Optimistic Mindset

NED Total Compensation

The anticipated compensation range for this position is USD 51,750–80,250.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education, and other business needs along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are based on the aforementioned circumstances.

NED also offers a generous benefits package that demonstrates its commitment to employee health and well-being.