Senior Program Officer, Democratic Resilience

Position description

The Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) is seeking a resourceful, qualified, and highly motivated individual to serve as Senior Program Officer for its Democratic Resilience program. As a key initiative of Washington’s leading voice on transatlantic affairs, CEPA’s Democratic Resilience program engages with policy makers, private sector leaders, and civil society in North America and Europe to build impactful programs and conduct policy relevant research to counter authoritarian threats, build communities of action, and support resilient democratic institutions. Working under the direction of the Director, the Senior Program Officer will be responsible for managing the development and implementation of multiple key projects from planning through execution. The selected candidate will translate program priorities into clear project plans, manage timelines and deliverables, conduct substantive research and writing, coordinate internal and external contributors, and ensure assigned projects advance successfully and on schedule. This position requires a significant level of ownership, accountability, and independent judgment. The Senior Program Officer will make day-to-day prioritization decisions, manage complex projects, identify and address implementation challenges, and prepare high-quality written and programming materials with minimal supervisor review. The position will also support the fiscal and operational management of assigned projects, including budget tracking, grant and donor deliverables, contracts, invoices, and event execution. The successful candidate will be highly organized, familiar with the functions of a public policy nonprofit organization, and comfortable working across cultures and teams. They must be proactive, detail-oriented, collaborative, capable of independently advancing multiple priorities while exercising sound judgment and appropriate discretion, and possess excellent written and oral communication skills. Key Responsibilities • Manage the development and implementation of multiple Democratic Resilience projects from initial planning through execution; • Develop project plans, timelines, milestones, and internal assignments and ensure that activities and deliverables are completed accurately and on schedule; • Conduct substantive research and analysis on democratic resilience, authoritarian threats, democratic backsliding, and related transatlantic policy issues; • Draft, edit, and contribute to policy reports, issue briefs, memos, presentations, talking points, grant proposals, donor reports, and other written products with minimal supervisor review; • Make day-to-day prioritization decisions for assigned work, manage competing deadlines and project tradeoffs, and adjust implementation plans as circumstances evolve; • Identify project risks, delays, or resource concerns early; develop practical solutions and elevate significant issues to the Director when appropriate; • Coordinate communication and collaboration across CEPA teams and with fellows, researchers, partners, consultants, vendors, policymakers, and other external stakeholders; • Manage the substantive and operational execution of public events, private roundtables, workshops, conferences, and other program convenings; • Support the fiscal and operational management of assigned projects, including tracking budgets and expenses, coordinating invoices and contracts, maintaining documentation, and monitoring the use of project resources; • Monitor assigned grant and donor requirements, project activities, deadlines, and deliverables and contribute to accurate and timely narrative and financial reporting; • Contribute to program fundraising activities by preparing research, concept notes, proposal materials, project descriptions, budgets, and donor communications; • Prepare briefings, talking points, meeting materials, and project updates for the Director and CEPA leadership; • Monitor relevant policy developments and identify emerging issues that may inform the program’s research, publications, convenings, or stakeholder engagement; • Coordinate project-related assignments with the Program Assistants, provide clear direction and deadlines, and review their work when assigned by the Director; • May provide day-to-day supervision, guidance, or professional development support to at least two junior team members; • Maintain complete and accurate project records, contact lists, grant files, event materials, and other program documentation; • Provide additional research, operational, and programmatic support as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international affairs, political science, public policy, European studies, or a related discipline, or equivalent experience, is required; a master’s degree is preferred; • Three years of relevant professional experience in a think tank, nonprofit organization, government agency, international organization, academic institution, or similar setting; • Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects or workstreams from planning through execution; • Demonstrated knowledge of or professional experience related to democratic resilience, authoritarianism, democratic institutions, European affairs, or transatlantic relations; • Excellent research, analytical, writing, and editing skills, including the ability to prepare polished materials with minimal supervisor review; • Demonstrated ability to work with minimal guidance, make sound prioritization decisions, and manage competing deadlines and complex project tradeoffs; • Experience supporting the fiscal and operational management of projects, including budgets, expenses, contracts, invoices, grants, or donor-funded deliverables; • Experience coordinating policy events, roundtables, workshops, conferences, or other stakeholder convenings; • Strong organizational and project-management skills, with a high level of attention to detail, accuracy, and follow-through; • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively across teams and with external stakeholders; • Ability to communicate project status, risks, decisions, and next steps clearly and promptly; • Ability to handle sensitive information, exercise appropriate discretion, meet deadlines, and maintain professionalism under pressure; • Experience coordinating, guiding, or reviewing the work of interns, assistants, or other junior team members is preferred; • A flexible, creative, solution-oriented, and positive approach to problems and challenges; • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a diverse, international team; • Willingness to respond to an evolving set of program and organizational priorities; • Knowledge of European languages will be an asset. CEPA offers exceptional benefits that include:  • Competitive compensation; • Generous employer-subsidized health insurance; • 401(k) retirement plan; • Generous paid vacation, sick, and personal leave; and • Paid holidays.

Application instructions

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