Program Manager, Policy

About InterAction

InterAction is the largest U.S.-based alliance of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partners. Celebrating our 40th anniversary this year, we mobilize our Members to think and act collectively to serve the world’s poor and vulnerable, with a shared belief that we can make the world a more peaceful, just and prosperous place – together. Using our collective voice and convening power, we seek to shape important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues – including foreign assistance, humanitarian relief, development, economic equity, food security, and climate change.

Our Members are premier international global development, humanitarian, and sector-supporting organizations that work in almost every country and manage more than $15.4 billion in programs annually. InterAction’s revenues come from dues, government, private foundation and corporate grants, and fee-for-service programs. Additional information can be found at www.interaction.org.

Position Summary

InterAction’s Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) Team seeks to shape the policies that guide humanitarian response through the work of its Policy Team. InterAction requires a manager to work with the Director of Humanitarian Policy in representing the NGO voice in policy discussions, positioning of INGOs, the development of humanitarian guidance, and the crafting of reforms to make the humanitarian response system efficient and effective. The Manager will substantively contribute to work related to the Grand Bargain and partnership with United Nations agencies and US government humanitarian agencies, as well as on humanitarian financing.

Essential Functions:

“Grand Bargain” Engagement and Representation

• Undertake InterAction’s ongoing engagement with the Grand Bargain, including acting as working level focal point for InterAction on the platform’s Facilitation Group in support of InterAction’s Sherpa (the Director of Policy) and Principal (CEO).
• Lead INGO constituency group meetings and consultations to establish INGO positions on key objectives and issue areas of the Grand Bargain.
• Spearhead information exchange and messaging/written product development on behalf of InterAction and INGO Signatories, particularly in advance of high-level meetings.
• Serve as INGO representative in Grand Bargain meetings, caucuses, Communities of Practice, and workshops.
• Track progress across Grand Bargain commitments and facilitate best practice exchange on Grand Bargain related topics among InterAction members.
• Support the Director of Humanitarian Policy to engage external actors, including the US government and UN agencies, to encourage system-wide reforms in line with Grand Bargain commitments.

Humanitarian Partnerships

• Lead InterAction’s UN Partnerships Working Group, focused on NGO partnership with the United Nations humanitarian agencies, particularly UNHCR and the World Food Program.
• Monitor trends and policy development at key UN agencies as they relate to practices in partnering with NGOs in humanitarian operations.
• In close coordination with relevant NGO networks, promote dialogue and information exchange between NGOs and the UN humanitarian agencies on partnering practices and their relationship with the NGO community.
• Lead regular engagement with relevant US government agencies to ensure they are apprised of UN reforms, related advocacy, and areas for coordination.
• Build upon existing engagement with multi-agency platforms, such as the Financial Tracking System (FTS) and the UN Partner Portal (UNPP), based upon feedback from NGO members.

Humanitarian Financing and Reform Initiatives

• Lead InterAction’s work following humanitarian financing policy trends and support InterAction engagement in humanitarian financing discussions.
• Spearhead NGO consultation, information exchange and messaging/written product development, particularly in advance of high-level meetings.
• Support the Director of Humanitarian Policy on work related to humanitarian reform and partnering practices within the US government humanitarian agencies and offices.

Other tasks

• Manage Humanitarian Policy Program Associate, ensuring balanced portfolio of work and supporting the PA through coaching and mentoring.
• Lead general engagement with BHA on a variety of humanitarian policy issues, as relevant.
• Contribute to donor research, grant proposals, project and budget monitoring, and donor reporting for policy initiatives, as requested.
• Represent InterAction in external meetings and events as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• At least five years of experience working for an NGO or international organization (preferably a mixture of program implementation and global policy-oriented work)
• Solid knowledge of the humanitarian architecture including Grand Bargain platform, humanitarian financing, UN and US government humanitarian partnering practices, and issues impacting the humanitarian response environment
• Strong written, organizational, and oral communications skills, including representation and presentation experience
• Experience managing multi-stakeholder initiatives and relationships with external actors
• Excellent judgment in creative problem solving and proven interpersonal skills
• Bachelor’s degree in related field

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field
• Mixture of program implementation and global policy-oriented work at an NGO or international organization
• Field experience highly desired, including working on coordinated, inter-agency humanitarian response

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Travel:

Ability for domestic and international travel, 10-15%

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This position supervisors the Humanitarian Policy Program Associate

Compensation:

Minimum salary $75,000 per year. Additionally, InterAction offers an excellent benefits package.

To Apply:

All qualified applicants should submit a cover letter and resume in their application in order to be considered for the role.

Work Environment:

Hybrid work environment in headquarter office located in downtown Washington, DC

In addition:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic covered by law.

All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period.

InterAction does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of InterAction and InterAction will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.