Inclusion Program Officer

Location:
Arlington, Virginia

Division:
The Center

Status:
VA-Based Full Time

Position Number:
21:300

About the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): IFES advances democracy for a better future. We collaborate with civil society, public institutions, and the private sector to build resilient democracies that deliver for everyone. As the global leader in the promotion and protection of democracy, our technical assistance and applied research develops trusted electoral bodies capable of conducting credible elections; effective and accountable governing institutions; civic and political processes in which all people can safely and equally participate; and innovative ways in which technology and data can positively serve elections and democracy. Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries, from developing to mature democracies.

IFES has worked with disabled persons’ organizations (DPOs) in over 70 countries and is a recognized thought leader on political rights of persons with disabilities, receiving the InterAction Disability Inclusion Award in 2011 and two Zero Project Innovative Practice awards in 2015 and 2019. Our work seeks to promote access to decision-making, self-determination, leadership and legal equality, and dismantle entrenched cultural beliefs. IFES works with election administrators to develop electoral assistive devices, such as tactile ballot guides and with DPOs to develop voter education information in accessible formats, such as by developing sign language lexicons in Tunisia, Libya and Morocco. IFES has supported DPOs on legal reform, including working with Armenian advocates on a national disability rights law; supporting inclusion of disability rights language in several constitutions, including in Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka; and successfully advocating with DPO partners to remove clauses that were discriminatory to people with intellectual and psychosocial disabilities in Indonesian legislation. IFES projects take an intersectional approach, including supporting public policy advocacy of women with disabilities across South Asia and political leadership courses targeting young people with disabilities in the Dominican Republic. IFES has also conducted disability rights programming in numerous closing spaces and conflict-affected countries, including Haiti, Laos, Libya and Zimbabwe.

The greatest assets of IFES are our team members. IFES offers competitive benefits and pay, as well as the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Every member of the IFES team is responsible for carrying out the mission of IFES and integrating IFES values into their work every day: Commitment to Excellence, Effective Communication, High Quality Decision-Making, Accountability, Teamwork and Collaboration.
*
What are we looking for?*
IFES is looking for an Inclusion Program Officer who will be responsible for supporting IFES’ disability rights portfolio, working on an expanding team of political inclusion experts. You will have the opportunity to work on disability rights internally and with our partners around the world. The portfolio will include (but will not be limited to) promoting inclusion of persons with disabilities in electoral institutions, enhancing access of voters with disabilities to political processes, and strengthening the capacity of persons with disabilities and their organizations to advocate for their political rights. You will collaborate with colleagues focused on gender, youth, Indigenous Peoples, displaced people, and ethnic and religious minorities to ensure that the perspectives of people with disabilities are included in IFES’ entire social inclusion portfolio.

Under the supervision of the Senior Inclusion Specialist, the Inclusion Program Officer will provide technical, subject matter support to HQ and field program teams on disability rights. The Inclusion Program Officer will provide technical assistance to regional program teams in order to ensure people with disabilities are included in IFES programming, including mainstreaming as well as standalone programs. In addition to providing technical assistance on country-specific and regional initiatives, the Inclusion Program Officer develop and implement tools and strategies to increase access to the political process for persons with disabilities.

https://www.ifes.org/news/ifes-recognized-innovative-disability-inclusion-practices

IFES COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement: To ensure adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Government Contractors, International Foundation for Electoral Systems has adopted a policy requiring all US-based employees to be fully vaccinated before their start date. Therefore, all IFES positions will require proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment. Please note, any submission of falsifying records or misleading information would result in a dismissal of your employment application.
Job Responsibilities: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Outreach and partnerships: Manage IFES’ disability rights social media presence and draft content for IFES.org and ElectionAccess.org. Update and create internal and external resources and materials, including one-pagers, strategy papers, and standing briefs. Develop talking points and provide other support to colleagues representing IFES externally at donor and partner gatherings, conferences, and other events.

• Technical advancement and innovation: Contribute to disability rights program design and research. Support development of initiatives to increase internal capacity building on disability rights, including internal IFES tools. Trouble shoot project problems by identifying and implementing creative solutions and contribute to the development of new tools and approaches.

• Technical assistance quality assurance: Provide technical assistance to regional program teams and within the Center for Applied Research and Learning. Provide ongoing advice and recommendations for program activities and conduct program reviews as necessary within field of expertise.

• Business development and program design: Contribute to business development for mainstreamed and standalone disability rights programs. Contribute to proposals and concepts. Contribute to development of user-friendly resources and tools to better guide IFES teams in country offices and HQ on mainstreaming disability rights into program design. Identify and share good practices and lessons learned between teams in HQ and country offices.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:
The successful candidate will be a passionate, driven, and talented multi-tasker who relishes working with a variety of stakeholders to achieve common objectives. Professional, intellectually curious, and flexible, with strong written and verbal communication skills. The successful candidate will be a strategic thinker, meticulously detail-oriented and have the ability to collaborate when needed and also work independently, prioritizing and handling varied tasks within deadlines. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and PowerPoint required.
Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in political science, international development, disability rights or related field highly preferred.
• 4+ years’ experience in international development or related field. Experience in disability rights and/or democracy and governance required. Strong writing and analytical skills required.
• Experience conducting trainings for internal or external audiences preferred. Familiarity with the international donor community a plus. Experience using CMS and managing professional social media accounts a plus.

Language Skills: English required. Proficiency in other languages, including sign languages, a plus.
Desired Competencies

• Commitment to Excellence - Continuously strives to improve upon past performance with an orientation towards high quality service delivery and product development that demonstrates creativity/innovation, rigor, and knowledge generation. Understands responsibilities and meets goals for assigned tasks. Strives to eliminate mistakes, and complete work in a timely fashion. Solves problems as requested. Seeks to provide prompt, efficient and courteous service. Demonstrates a desire to contribute to the success of IFES.
• Communicates Effectively - Effectively and appropriately interacts with others to build relationships, influence others, and facilitate the sharing of ideas and information. Uses tact and diplomacy to navigate difficult situations. Relays key messages by creating a compelling story, targeted to specific audiences. Encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions. Provides timely and helpful information to others across the organization.
• Decision Quality - Makes timely and sound decisions that keep the organization moving forward, even in the absence of complete information. Relies on a mixture of analysis, planning, experience, and judgment when making decisions. Considers all relevant factors and uses appropriate decision-making criteria and principles. Recognizes when a quick 80% solution will suffice.
• Ensures Accountability - Holds self and others accountable to meet commitments. Follows through on commitments and makes sure others do the same. Acts with a clear sense of ownership. Takes personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and failures. Establishes clear responsibilities and processes for monitoring work and measuring results. Designs feedback loops into work.
• Teamwork and Collaboration Builds partnerships and works collaboratively to meet shared objectives. Works cooperatively with others across the organization. Values diverse perspectives and working with others as a way to achieve the best output possible. Gains the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments.

Travel: Travel is required up to 25% of the time.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment: Standard office work environment with some field travel. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
WHAT WE OFFER:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Monthly Benefit Allowance paid directly to all employees
• Employer paid life and AD&D insurance at 3x base salary
• 401(k) retirement plan with 1:1 employer match up to 6%
• Employer paid Short and Long-Term Disability insurance
• Generous vacation (starting at 3 weeks and increasing with time of service), sick leave, and personal leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program

APPLY TODAY!

Job Type: Full-time