Country Representative -- Asia/Pacific - Korea

Job Description:

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) Seoul-based Country Representative oversees the implementation of programs to promote democracy and human rights in North Korea by supporting South Korea-based civil society organizations working on North Korean human rights issues. The Country Representative oversees all aspects of programming, staff, and office management, including implementation of program activities, managing grants, providing leadership to an in-country team of national staff, and ensuring compliance with financial policies and procedures. The Country Representative serves as principal liaison with civic leaders and program partners, donors and representatives of the international community. The position also requires providing advisory support to NDI’s regional programs involving South Korean stakeholders.

The Country Representative reports to the Regional Director for Asia-Pacific (based in Washington DC). This position works closely with teams based in Washington, DC who provide strategic guidance and day-to-day support for activities in the region as well as functional advice/strategy. 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

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 ten (10) years of relevant work experience, including experience overseeing international development programs and working with civil society groups, media, political organizing, coalition building or advocacy

●    Senior-level 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

●    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 among NGO partners. Previous experience working with North Korean defector community strongly preferred

●    Ability to adjust programmatic activities based on changing political circumstances and/or in response to needs articulated by local partners and program stakeholders

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

●    Experience with Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.)

●    Strong budget and financial management skills

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

●    Inclusively lead and develop the talents of a local staff

ADA Notation:

The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Comment:

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). 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, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

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