The Carter Center: Director, Democracy Program

Position description

The Carter Center is a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization founded in 1982 in Atlanta, GA, by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, in partnership with Emory University. The Center has helped to improve millions of lives in more than 80 countries by waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope. The Carter Center is guided by a fundamental commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering. It seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.

The Carter Center collaborates with other organizations, public and private, in carrying out its mission around the world. Current information about the Center’s many programs and activities are available at The Carter Center.

DEMOCRACY PROGRAM

The Carter Center has stood as democracy’s guardian, observing over 125 elections across 40 countries and three Native American nations while pioneering the techniques that set today’s global standards.

Our work spans five essential areas:

Election Observation: Documenting truth through impartial monitoring when it matters most.

Digital Democracy Defense: Protecting against online threats that undermine democratic processes.

Democratic Standards & Governance: Creating and maintaining global frameworks for electoral integrity.

Participatory Rights: Ensuring historically excluded voices shape their nations’ futures.

Building Public Trust: Educating citizens about the processes and safeguards in their election systems to bolster confidence in the outcome.

SUMMARY:

The Program Director leads the strategy, development, and implementation of The Carter Center’s Democracy Program initiatives. Working alongside the Human Rights, Conflict Resolution, and Rule of Law Programs, the Democracy Program advances the Center’s mission of Waging Peace, Fighting Disease, and Building Hope. The Director provides strategic vision, expert analysis, and overall leadership for a broad portfolio of programmatic activities, while supervising and supporting staff across multiple workstreams. The Director works collaboratively with internal departments—including Finance, Development, Communications, Human Resources, International Support, Country Offices, and Monitoring & Evaluation—to ensure program operations comply with organizational policies and procedures. Externally, the Director engages with national and international partners, civil society organizations, government officials, and diplomatic stakeholders to advance program goals. The role may also oversee applied research, manage publications, convene expert meetings, and direct other key project responsibilities. This position will require periodic global travel to areas of program implementation which currently include Democratic Republic of Congo, Guyana, Sudan, Peru, Colombia, Middle East, Zambia, and re-entry into the United States. This position reports to the Vice President, Peace Programs. Due to travel locations, Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) will be required.

FORMAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

• The Director’s responsibilities include: strategic goals setting (short & long term), planning and orchestrating a research and operations agenda, designing and directing the implementation of complex, cross-programmatic projects, and organizational management/administrative functions; analysis of program goals and objectives by analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and constraints.
• Plans, administers, and monitors relevant program budgets, including capital equipment, operations, and personnel, by reviewing prior budgets and expenses, regularly reviewing year to date expenses, investigating variances, and taking corrective action to control expenses at approved levels. Creates a collaborative environment for whole team annual budget and program review processes.
• Collaborates with the development staff to identify and secure opportunities for project funding and support responsiveness to donor requests. Develops and writes proposals and reports, maintaining an appropriate liaison relationship with funders. Meets with donors for in-depth discussions on initiative concepts, goals, implementation, and accomplishments.

• Partners with and represents the program (internal & external) with non- governmental organizations, donors, government and inter-government agencies, think-tanks, and educational institutions, domestic and international. May be assigned to working committees, task forces, formal or ceremonial events and visits of dignitaries.

• Organizes brainstorming, consultation, and capacity building workshops, program reviews, attends in-country and international meetings, and represents The Carter Center at other meetings, workshops, briefings, etc., as needed. Prepare oral and written reports, present papers, and presentations, and play a major role in the development and publication of program newsletters, reports, and other materials. Drafts confidential correspondences and speeches for senior leadership.

• Manages multiple staff, consultants, and interns through mentoring, coaching, and performance/results-based metrics. Responsible for overall program staffing and evaluating performance management and team effectiveness.

• Responsible for program compliance with all organizational policies and procedures both in headquarters and the field offices. Develops efficient procedures for the implementation of program activities.

• Maintains professional growth and development of self and program staff by identifying educational/training programs, professional organizations, activities, and resources to maintain knowledge of trends and to promote leading edge expertise
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in international relations, democracy and governance, social sciences, public administration, development practice, or a related field and ten years of related experience, which includes five years of managing international programs and staff, democracy and/or governance programs, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Familiarity with developments and emerging issues related to democracy and technology, including but not limited to the use and impact of artificial intelligence, the evolving legal and regulatory environment, and information space
• Demonstrated expertise with NGOs and project-based fundraising, including designing, writing, winning, and implementing democracy programming for bilateral, multi-lateral, private foundations, private sector, and individual donors.
• Leadership level experience directing global and/or domestic democracy programs and operations at non-governmental organizations, inter-governmental or government institutions at headquarters and in field offices.
• Experience successfully navigating bureaucratic or other administrative processes while providing guidance to subordinates that ensures adherence to internal and donor policies and processes.
• Seven years of senior management experience including staff supervision and managing project budgets in the field of democracy and governance.
• Proficiency in a major international language, in addition to English, such as French, Spanish, or Arabic.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.

Note: This position is Atlanta-based and onsite presence is required consistent with the Center’s flexible work arrangement policy.

Application instructions

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