Program Officer, Southeast Asia

Position Title: Program Officer, Southeast Asia
Grade Level: Level 5 - Exempt
Reports to: Senior Program Manager

About NED

The National Endowment for Democracy supports freedom around the world.

At NED, we deliver on the belief that freedom is a universal aspiration. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NED is a private, nonprofit foundation, mandated by Congress, dedicated to strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.

NED reflects an enduring American commitment to stand with those striving for dignity, justice, and opportunity. In 2025, NED made 1,552 grants totaling $271 million to support the work of nongovernmental organizations advancing democratic goals in more than 90 countries, including some of the world’s most challenging and repressive environments.

We seek talented, entrepreneurial professionals motivated by purpose and committed to excellence. At NED, you will join a dynamic team of experts who bring their skills, curiosity, and judgment to a consequential mission at a critical moment for democracy around the world. Our work is guided by our shared values: excellence, respect, empathy, accountability, and adaptability.

Position Summary

The Program Officer will work with Asia program leadership to manage grants and coordinate NED's programming in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Thailand and the Philippines.

This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC, and is part of the bargaining unit.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work closely and flexibly with a diverse range of activists working on media freedom, human rights, rule of law, public policy, civic education, and other areas.

• Monitor the implementation of NED-approved projects and evaluate the effectiveness and the institutional growth of NED grantees by analyzing grantee reports, providing feedback on implemented activities, maintaining continuous communication over the grant cycle, and conducting regular field visits.

• Produce written materials and presentations to provide funding recommendations to NED leadership.

• Monitor political developments in the region relevant to the portfolio to inform NED strategies and programming, including reading various US- and regional-based publications, meeting with political analysts and other contacts, keeping abreast of the changing political environment, and actively coordinating with other Asia team members on their country portfolios.

• Build and maintain relationships with like-minded organizations, including other donors, NED partners, and regional organizations.

• Travel to monitor existing grantees, identify new funding opportunities, and gain an on‑the-ground perspective on the political situation. The visits will include meetings with NED grantees, meetings with core institutes, potential civil society partners, other donors, and political analysts and opinion-makers.

• Think creatively about how to improve team effectiveness, grantee-reporting guidelines, communications with other teams at NED, etc.

• Liaise with other NED teams; participate in various working groups, and other efforts to improve NED’s overall functioning and effectiveness.

• Mentor junior staff, where applicable.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in International Affairs, Political Science, International Development, or a related discipline required; Master's degree preferred.

• 4–7 years of relevant professional experience in international development, democracy support, human rights, civil society, or a related field, including experience living and/or working in Southeast Asia.

• Significant experience in nonprofit work.

• Experience in financial monitoring and reporting.

• Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.

• Demonstrated understanding of broader political issues and trends in the Asia region, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia.

• Thai language proficiency preferred.

• Ability and willingness to travel to countries within the region, as needed.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Exceptional analytical and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure.

• High degree of organization and initiative.

• Demonstrated ability to work as a team player, including coordination and facilitation skills.

• Authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or transfer sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Talent in Action

Consistent with NED’s talent statement, and grounded in our values, the successful individual in this role will demonstrate the following competencies in the delivery of their work while supporting NED’s efforts to advance democratic change:

• Purpose-Driven

• Reliable

• Expertise

• Respectful Collaboration

• Curiosity

• Results-Oriented

• An Optimistic Mindset

NED Total Compensation

The anticipated compensation range for this position is USD $64,500 - $116,000.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors, including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education, and other business needs along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are based on the aforementioned circumstances.

NED also offers a generous benefits package that demonstrates its commitment to employee health and well-being.