Country Representative (Resident Senior Program Manager): Korea

The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) seeks to hire a Seoul-based Country Representative (Resident Senior Program Manager) to implement programs to promote democracy and human rights by supporting civil society organizations working on North Korea based in South Korea. S/he will be responsible for overall office management, including financial and human resource management, as well as supervisory responsibility for the design, implementation and evaluation of NDI programs. S/he will provide leadership and oversight to a team of talented national staff and represent NDI with local partners, donors and international stakeholders. This position reports to the Senior Advisor for Asia in Washington, DC, with an anticipated start date on or about August 1, 2019. Authorization to work in South Korea without requiring employer sponsorship is a prerequisite for a successful application.

Responsibilities:

• Provide high-level leadership of all NDI programs in Korea and coordinate day-to-day activity implementation and operations

• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with government officials, local and international NGOs, and donor representatives  

• Serve as a technical resource liaison to local partner organizations in response to program implementation needs and requests

• Ensure collaborative leadership and oversight of the Seoul office, ensuring accountability in the execution of program activities and management of field operations and local staff based on established institutional procedures, local laws and donor regulations

• Manage in-country program budget, develop and maintain financial management systems and ensure the submission of accurate monthly financial reconciliation statements to the DC office

• Develop proposals and concept notes in coordination with the Washington DC Asia and functional teams

• Oversee the writing and timely submission of weekly program activity reports, quarterly reports, monitoring and evaluation data, periodic updates on political/security developments, and other program related materials

• Regularly communicate and coordinate activities with NDI staff in Washington

• Inclusively lead and develop the talents of a local staff

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in International Relations or a related subject; Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience including demonstrated work with civil society groups, media, political organizing, coalition building or advocacy, preferably in Asia

• Exceptional interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of partner staff, foreign government personnel, and program beneficiaries

• Demonstrated diplomacy and negotiation skills to facilitate networking and coalition building amongst NGO partners. Previous experience working with North Korean defector community strongly preferred

• Excellent program management skills and experience, including designing new programs, establishing monitoring and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with donor regulations, and identifying solutions to implementation challenges. Experience working in complex political environments desired.

• Proven ability to communicate skills and experience to others effectively as a trainer or advisor

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, online collaboration tools and new media.

• Strong budget and financial management skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and Korean required

Comments:

Applicants need to possess appropriate work authorization to work in South Korea at the time of application.