Turkey: NDI Syria: Senior Program Assistant - Gaziantep, Turkey

Program: NDI Syria Program

Employment: Full-Time Contractual

Reports To: NDI-Syria Resident Senior Program Officer

Duration of Contract: Six months with possibility for extension

Location: Gaziantep, Turkey

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) is seeking to contract and engage a Senior Program Assistant (SrPA) to assist its programs conducted in Syria. The Senior Program Assistant (SrPA) will be based in Gaziantep/Turkey to help in program activities and will be supervised by the NDI-Syria Senior Program Officer and will work in close cooperation with Gaziantep based staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The main responsibilities for this position are:

• The SrPA works closely with the Resident Senior Program Officer, and Senior Resident Representative to implement NDI’s program activities.

• The SrPA provides both verbal and written translation and interpretation during seminars and other events and translates program materials from Arabic to English and English to Arabic language.

• The SrPA arranges logistics for NDI’s training and programmatic activities in Turkey and Syria

• The SrPA arranges meetings for NDI staff and consultants and interacts regularly with program partners.

• The SrPA drafts reports when required and prepares a daily written review of the most important news items in the Syria press.

B. The SrPA performs the following tasks:

• Provides written and oral translation from English to Arabic and vice versa on a regular basis such as translation of written documents and interpretation during meetings and events;

• Arranges logistics for NDI’s training and programmatic activities in Turkey and Syria such as sending invitations, arranging transportation, catering, refreshments and similar.

• Works effectively with NDI Administrative Team for event and meeting preparations

• Facilitates regular contact with NDI’s network of political and civil society activists and organizations inside Syria;

• Tracks relevant political developments and assists with data collection efforts to monitor program activities in keeping with NDI’s results monitoring framework;

• Develops and maintains tracking systems for programmatic and financial information, including timely submission of field reports, donor reports, subgrantee progress and financial reports, and timesheets and

• Performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor even at non-traditional working hours when required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• University degree from a recognized college or university;

• Experience in translation and interpretation in Arabic and English;

• Experience in international development, community organizing, civil society activism, or organizational development.

REQUIRED SKILLS, COMPETENCIES AND CRITERIA

• Valid residency permit;

• Excellent written and oral communication skills in Arabic and English;

• Excellent Arabic-to-English/English-to-Arabic translation and interpretation skills;

• Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively interact with all levels of staff, international personnel, political actors, and NGO community;

• Analytical and problem-solving skills, with capacity for innovative thinking;

• Programmatic and financial management skills;

• Ability to work both independently and as a member of a team;

• Ability to conduct research and analysis, including defining problems, identifying sources, collecting data, and drawing valid conclusions;

• Working knowledge of Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, and G+), and PC-based word processing and spreadsheet applications;

• Working knowledge of basic budget and accounting procedures;

• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations as well as Syria, security situation permitting.

• Ability and willingness to work beyond usual working hours.

Suitable and qualified candidates are requested to send a CV and cover letter, stating qualifications and previous professional experience, to the following email address: hay@ndi.org with the reference (Ref: Senior Program Assistant in Gaziantep). Deadline for submission of applications is close-of-business on 5 January 2018. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.