Technical Specialist – Inclusive Governance & Stabilization

Near East Foundation

Title:  Technical Specialist – Inclusive Governance & Stabilization

Reports to:  Vice President of Business Development

Location:  Washington, D.C.

Salary:  $78,750 - $124,950

Travel:  10%

The Near East Foundation (NEF) seeks candidates for the position of Technical Specialist- Inclusive Governance and Stabilization to be based in its US Headquarters, Washington, D.C. location.  Since 1915, NEF has supported community-led economic and social development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus. As a non-profit international development organization, NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to reduce poverty, create economic opportunity, increase resilience, and empower conflict, climate- and crisis-affected people to improve their outlook and wellbeing. Our programs span three focal areas: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate Resilient Development, and Peace and Stability.

NEF works through a network of country offices and with local partners, with current or recent operations in Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our global headquarters are based in Syracuse, NY, London, UK, and Brussels, Belgium.

Inclusive Governance & Stabilization

NEF leverages and adapts sustainable economic development and resilience strategies to support people and communities impacted by fragility, conflict, and crises bridge relief to recovery and reconciliation, rebuild trust, reestablish their livelihoods, and strengthen economies, civil society and governance systems. NEF's programs in inclusive governance aspire to elevate the participation of all stakeholders in decision-making processes. Our approach is designed to ensure that every person in a community, regardless of their background, identity, or socio-economic status, has a voice and is considered in the policies and decisions that affect them. Current programs include civil society contributions to resilience, access to essential services, and peacebuilding through cooperation.

Position Overview

We are seeking a skilled and motivated individual to join our team as an inclusive Governance & Stabilization Technical Specialist. This position requires expertise in conceptualizing ideas and developing winning proposals for inclusive governance and stabilization projects. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of writing successful proposals to secure funding for such initiatives.

The Technical Specialist will sit within the Business Development (BD) team.

1. Proposal Development: Lead the development of high-quality proposals for inclusive governance and stabilization projects. Conceptualize project ideas in partnership with relevant country and HQ colleagues, contribute as lead technical writer, and coordinate technical inputs from NEF HQ and country team members. Coordinate with Cost Specialist, MEAL, HR, and compliance teams to ensure alignment of technical and financial components in proposals. Contribute to the development of budgets, cost narratives, and financial projections for proposed projects.

2. Proposal Review and Alignment: Review proposal documents to ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with donor requirements. Provide feedback and revisions as necessary to enhance proposal quality and competitiveness.

3. Representation and Networking: Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and other events to showcase NEF’s expertise in inclusive governance and stabilization programing. Identify and engage potential partners and donors to support NEF's inclusive governance and stabilization programs.

4. Research and Analysis for Business and Program Development: Work with the program and MEAL teams to prioritize, devise, and conduct strategic research and analysis to identify key opportunities and challenges for inclusive governance and stabilization programs in target communities or regions that can help the development of strategy for donors’ engagement. Utilize insights to inform program design and business development.

5. Program Design and Technical Advisory: Work with program, MEAL, and other relevant teams to prioritize, conceptualize, and develop inclusive governance and stabilization technical innovations and initiatives. Provide technical advisory to project teams when needed to ensure the effective incorporation of best practices into project activities, program strategies, and learning agenda.

6. Knowledge Integration: Stay updated on the latest trends, research, tools, and methodologies related to inclusive governance and stabilization. Integrate relevant insights into NEF's program strategies and knowledge products to inform program and business development and contribute to program growth. Co-lead with MEAL and program teams on deep-dive processes at project and program levels. Contribute to the development of learning agendas and the prioritization, conceptualization, and development of knowledge and business development products such as technical innovations, technical briefs and fact sheets, technical capacity statements, and technical presentations. Contribute as technical lead writer on strategically important products.

Crosscutting:

Uphold NEF’s core values of localization, respect, inclusion, and integrity by helping to build an environment of accountability and learning, keeping work commitments and respecting colleagues’ time, listening to diverse colleagues, and participating in regular feedback and performance reviews.

Other duties as assigned.

Basic Requirements

We encourage all individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to succeed within this position and thrive at NEF to apply for this role, even if you do not meet 100% of the qualifications.

Commitment to NEF mission, curiosity, a strong willingness to learn and understand NEF’s programs and the communities and stakeholders who are our partners in development, and a capacity for passionate advocacy for locally led and impactful work.

• Advanced degree in International Relations, Conflict Studies, or related disciplines.
• At least 5 years of hands-on experience in the peacebuilding, stabilization, and governance sector.
• Proven expertise in designing, developing, and drafting successful proposals.
• Thorough understanding of stabilization-focused technical domains, including governance in Fragile, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) contexts, as well as strategies for peacebuilding and social cohesion.
• Proficiency in a wide array of assessment, monitoring, and evaluation tools vital for stabilization and governance initiatives.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the international conflict framework, partnership ecosystem, and familiarity with key global stakeholders and funders involved in advancing stabilization and governance agendas.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, with the capacity to work autonomously and within teams seamlessly.
• Proficiency in Salesforce, Microsoft Word and Teams, familiarity with Excel.

Required Qualification

Candidates must be legally authorized to live and work in the United States without company sponsorship now and in the future.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using participatory approaches to design programs and develop proposals, including applying principles of co-creation.
• Experience engaging relevant communities of practice.
• Experience engaging and coordinating with international colleagues and programs.
• Knowledge and understanding of themes and cross-cutting requirements in international development, such as gender mainstreaming, market-based approaches, locally-led programming, resilience, innovative finance, technology and innovation.
• Proficiency in French and/or Arabic

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled. Review of application will begin on May 13, 2024. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents in the English language:

1. Cover letter outlining all relevant experience, how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Curriculum Vitae.
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer). You will be given further notice prior to us contacting references.

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Woman candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.

Pre-employment Checks

Any Employment with the Near East Foundation will be subject to the following checks prior to start date:

• A satisfactory Restricted Party Screening.
• Receipt of satisfactory references.
• Workplace Verification Check.

Benefits

NEF offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes: 20 vacation days plus 12 Company Holidays; flexible sick-time policy, generous medical, dental and, vision coverage; HRA and FSA benefits; employer paid short and long-term disability; employer paid life insurance; TIAA-CREF retirement plan with 8% employer contribution, paid family leave, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and more!

NEF's strength is its people. Our team is our fuel to achieving the innovation, quality programming, community focus, mutual trust, sustainability, and learning needed to realize our mission. To help our team thrive, we support a working structure that prioritizes flexibility, personal commitments, and staff well-being while promoting a work culture of teamwork, collaboration, respect, integrity, and excellence.

As an international organization, we value a truly diverse workforce and prioritize a culture of inclusivity and belonging. We strive to create a high-achieving work environment informed by different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. With a commitment to diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion in all we do, our aim is to ensure that people feel heard, protected, and empowered to contribute to NEF's mission from day one.