Program Officer / Program Manager, Asia Pacific
Company Overview
The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the globe through private enterprise and market-oriented reform. CIPE is one of the four core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy and an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since 1983, CIPE has worked with business leaders, policymakers, and civil society to build the institutions vital to a democratic society. CIPE’s key program areas include enterprise ecosystems, democratic governance, business advocacy, anti-corruption & ethics, and trade.
Position: Program Officer or Program Manager, Asia Pacific
Reports to: Director, Asia Pacific
Scope: CIPE is recruiting for either a Program Officer or Program Manager for country-specific and multi-country programs in the Asia Pacific region. The selected candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing CIPE’s strategic focus on democratic governance through private sector collective action initiatives to improve business participation, economic freedom, and opportunity across the region.
The role will involve strategy development, project and grant management, stakeholder engagement, and external representation of CIPE. Candidates with more extensive professional experience will be considered for the Program Manager role, while candidates with solid foundational experience will be considered for the Program Officer role.
Note: Experience requirements, supervisory responsibilities, and management expectations vary depending on whether the position is filled at the Program Officer or Program Manager level (details below).
Responsibilities and Duties
- Contribute to the development and implementation of strategy to accomplish CIPE’s objectives on improving democratic governance and advancing market reforms in the region.
- Design, implement, and manage a portfolio of projects and grants for the assigned region, aligned with CIPE’s goals for target countries.
- Develop project concept papers, proposals, reports, correspondence, and public communications.
- Serve as CIPE’s representative to promote democratic, market-oriented reforms through events, training programs, and stakeholder meetings.
- Analyze political and economic developments in the region to inform program strategies and identify opportunities.
- Identify and collaborate with partner organizations to design and implement effective democratic and economic reform programs.
- Manage project activities in collaboration with local partners and CIPE team members.
- Monitor grantees, contractors, and consultants to ensure compliance with objectives, financial requirements, and evaluation plans.
- Conduct project evaluations through on-site visits and coordination with independent evaluators, where appropriate.
- Oversee project finances, including monitoring spending, projecting future expenses, approving expenditures, and developing budgets.
- Establish and maintain relationships with donor organizations (e.g., U.S. State Department, other bilaterals) and identify joint project or funding opportunities.
- Collaborate with CIPE departments, including Communications, Grants and Finance, Policy and Program Learning, and other regional teams.
- Monitor regional political and economic developments and assess their impact on CIPE projects.
- Contribute to external communications by authoring blogs, op-eds, or participating in podcasts and speaking engagements.
- Supervise, develop, and manage program staff, including Program Associates, Coordinators, field staff, and consultants.
- Supervise and mentor junior staff (e.g., Program Associates, Associate Program Officers).
- Extensive involvement in external communications, including authoring blogs, op-eds, and public speaking engagements on a quarterly basis.
- May be responsible for full financial and operational management of field offices.
- Project management and strategic oversight with significant autonomy and leadership expectations.
- Supervise and mentor junior staff (e.g., Program Associates, Associate Program Officers).
- Moderate involvement in external communications and thought leadership.
- Supports financial and operational oversight of field offices.
- Project management and implementation with increasing independence.
Qualifications and Skills
Required for Both Roles:
- Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Accounting, Finance, International Relations, Finance, Political Economy, or a related field.
- Experience with international development and topics aligned with CIPE’s mission, including anti-corruption, democratic governance, business advocacy, and entrepreneurship.
- Strong public speaking, writing, and proposal development skills.
- Demonstrated critical thinking, analytical skills, and ability to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- High degree of cultural competence.
- Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Willingness to travel for extended periods.
- Prior experience with USAID or U.S. State Department programs preferred.
- 4-6 years of relevant professional experience in international assistance programs, non-profits, chambers of commerce, or associations in the region.
- 4-6 years of program management experience, preferably at the strategic level.
- 5-8 years of relevant professional experience in international assistance programs, non-profits, chambers of commerce, or associations in the region.
- Minimum 5 years of program management and strategic program implementation experience, with a preference for demonstrated leadership in project oversight, partner relations, and staff supervision.
- Master’s degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
- Fluency in Mandarin, Tagalog, Visaya, Bahasa, or other Asian languages preferred.
Benefits and Perks
Competitive Benefits including medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability, flexible spending, paid family leave, life insurance, 401(k), commuter benefits, telework, and more!
CIPE offers a salary competitive with other international non-governmental organizations and an excellent benefits package. Applicants must be legally able to work in the United States; CIPE is unable to sponsor employees for work visas.
CIPE is an Equal Opportunity Employer.