CAMEX: Program Officer At Internews

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Under the supervision of the Project Manager for Central America and Mexico, the Program Officer performs high-level tasks and directly manages at least one Internews project with fiscal oversight of the program. This role will manage activity coordination, travel and events, and technical and financial assistance to local partner organizations for a project to improve digital security capacity among Central American media and civic actors. The role will develop systems and track deliverables, lead reporting, work closely with a remote team, and engage business management and monitoring and evaluation staff as needed. In addition, the Program Officer supports other programs within the Program Unit.

LOGISTICS

This position will be based remotely in Central America or Mexico.

This is a limited-duration position with an expected term of 12 months.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Directly oversee day-to-day operations for at least one of Internews’ projects in the Americas Program Management Unit within the Central America and Mexico region.
• Responsible for programmatic development and project support to the Project Manager, including input to project strategy and tracking project progress.
• Prepare proposals, reports, and budgets, including text-editing of proposals.
• Develop tracking systems and monitor the project’s contracts and funding pools for local partners, including budget/agreement negotiations with partners; development, and monitoring of budgets; processing payment requests; and review and approval of programmatic reports to funder and stakeholders as required.
• Coordinate with the Project Manager and Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) staff on tracking progress toward program deliverables and assessing impact.
• Prepare correspondence and reports from conference and discussion panels.
• Create and implement a strategy for improved communications on program activities and accomplishments.
• Carry out research as assigned and in support of ongoing projects and new initiatives.
• Represent Internews at conferences and events, with funders and policy experts.
• Support local partners in the Americas Program Unit with proposal development, fundraising, organizational development, and women and indigenous inclusion strategies in coordination with Internews International.
• In all duties, uphold Internews’ Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of Belonging, Dignity, and Justice.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

Required

• Relevant university degree or equivalent lived/professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant programmatic experience.
• Language fluency in written and spoken Spanish and English.
• Experience working in Central America and Mexico, including regional projects.
• Experience organizing events, including international travel arrangements, travel negotiations, event logistics, etc.
• Experience in developing or supporting programs in closed or hostile environments; experience developing and implementing security protocols, including the use of new technologies to foster secure practices, a significant asset.
• Previous work experience with donor programs and projects; experience with USG programs a significant asset.
• Interest in, and familiarity with, journalism, new media, and new digital applications for citizen journalism and information access.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including diplomacy, tact, and the ability to negotiate.
• Excellent communication skills: speaking, writing, and listening.
• Demonstrated grant proposal writing and reporting experience, and proven text-editing proficiency.
• Proven ability to set priorities and manage time effectively.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.
• Proven ability to prioritize and handle multiple ongoing assignments.
• Proficiency in MS Office.

Preferred

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

• Experience with training in technologies that support access to information, and experience with privacy, censorship circumvention, and anonymity tools.
• Experience delivering, or supporting the development of educational materials for the delivery of, training in digital security topics.
• Experience with legal/regulatory issues and/or policy advocacy is a significant asset.
• Experience and/or familiarity with complex migration issues in Central America, including Costa Rica.
• Familiarity with and experience in implementing projects to strengthen the physical, digital, and operational security of individuals and organizations in Central America and Mexico.