Program Manager, DGHR– Washington, D.C.

Position Description

About PADF

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) believes in creating a hemisphere of opportunity, for all. We work across Latin America and the Caribbean to make our region stronger—more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations. For over 60 years, we have served the most vulnerable communities, investing resources throughout the hemisphere. We partner with and enable civil society, governments, and the private sector for the greater good of the region.

Position Summary

The Program Manager, DGHR (Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights) will play a key role in the development and implementation of PADF’s program that provides technical training, professional development opportunities, and support to human rights and anti-corruption leaders from Central America. This role is responsible for partner engagement, project logistics, and providing support to program participants. The Program Manager also coordinates with donors, partners, and PADF field staff to ensure the program’s overall success.

The Program Manager will play a key role in the development and implementation of project management instruments, including financial tracking mechanisms, monitoring of project activities, logistical and administrative management of activities, evaluation of project outputs. The candidate must have a strong interest in protecting and advancing human rights in Latin America.

This position reports to the Senior Director of Democracy, Governance, and Human Rights, and is based in our Headquarters Office in D.C.

Competencies

• Organizational Skills: Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to structure large quantities of information and data. Ability to plan your own work, set priorities, complete it under pressure, or face competing demands.
• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from a range of educational levels and disciplinary backgrounds. Strong interpersonal and communications skills and ability to interact with individuals from diverse cultures. Exceptional writing skills to effectively prepare clear and concise reports, strategies, and/or proposals.
• Analytical Skills: Analytical, financial management and numerical skills. Ability to think clearly and analytically. Can generate a range of creative solutions, evaluate them, and choose the most appropriate option.
• Time Management Skills: Excellent time management skills, efficiently managing multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to requests.

Personal Characteristics

• Diplomacy: Excellent interpersonal, diplomatic. Superb cultural and emotional intelligence. Knowledge of and sensitivity to differences among cultures. Ability to establish credibility across all levels of the organization.
• Flexibility: Demonstrates flexibility, including the capacity to innovate while adhering to donor compliance regulations and adjust effectively in response to unforeseen circumstances.
• Ethics: High degree of integrity and professionalism and convey strong ethical standards and help shape the organizational values. Commitment to confidentiality.
• Effective: Excellent time management skills, efficiently managing multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to respond quickly and efficiently to requests.
• Empathy: A strong ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Demonstrates respect for diverse perspectives and actively listens to team members, helping to cultivate a culture of trust and collaboration.

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Lead program management, including report writing, donor and participant engagement, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Manage and monitor key project activities, timelines, deadlines, and deliverables to ensure efficient project implementation.
• Perform research and analysis supporting the implementation of projects in the field.
• Create, review, and submit technical documents and other reports provided, in coordination with partners and field teams.
• Manage internal PADF program administrative procedures, including updating and maintaining project budgets.
• Maintain program tracking documentation and databases.
• Ensure compliance with PADF policies and procedures.
• Liaise with other program, finance and administrative teams within the organization and contribute to the organization’s overall interdepartmental effectiveness.
• Travel to projects in Latin America and the Caribbean as required.
• Contribute to proposal development processes as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, public policy, economics, or related field, or equivalent and relevant working experience.
• Five to seven (5-7) years of program management experience working for an international or non-profit organization, preferably with direct experience in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Experience with project and program management (e.g., grant coordination, financial tracking, and project budgets).
• Experience managing relationships with international donors including the U.S. Government, bilateral donors, foundations, etc.
• Written and spoken fluency in English and Spanish to effectively draft and edit detailed documents, including translation or interpretation from documents in the alternate language.
• Exceptional writing skills to effectively prepare clear and concise communication, reports, and strategies.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and convey strong ethical standards and help shape organizational values. Commitment to confidentiality.
• Proficient in standard computer applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree (or equivalent experience).
• Experience with managing and implementing fellowship initiatives.
• Experience in human rights initiatives in Latin America, focused on democracy and governance, anticorruption and transparency, freedom of the press, etc.
• Experience working with local communities, civil society partners, and government officials is highly desired.
• Portuguese or French is a plus.

Salary Range: $79,000 – $85,000

A candidate’s salary is determined by multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal organizational equity.

More About PADF

PADF is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established by the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1962. www.padf.org

PADF’s core values. “H-E-A-R-T” = Honesty, Excellence, Accountability, Respect, and Teamwork.

Diversity. PADF is strong because we are diverse. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. PADF does not discriminate based on ability, age, gender identity and expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or criminal record. We welcome all kinds of diversity. Our employees include people who are parents and nonparents, self-taught and university educated, and from a wide span of cultures, languages, socio-economic backgrounds, and perspectives on the world.

PADF is committed to safeguarding employees and those we serve, addressing inappropriate behavior, discrimination, and harassment. We take an intersectional approach, promote gender equality, and follow our Global Code of Conduct emphasizing our H.E.A.R.T. values. The code covers various aspects, including anti-trafficking, PSEAH (Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment), whistleblowing, and online safety. 

PADF is an equal opportunity employer.