About InterAction

Founded in 1984, InterAction is the largest U.S.-based alliance of international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and partners. 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 Description
InterAction is recruiting a Program Associate to support the Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements work stream within the Humanitarian Policy and Practice (HPP) Team.
Humanitarian Shelter and Settlements (S&S) assistance strives to provide safe, dignified, and appropriate living spaces and related settlements interventions to meet the most basic needs of conflict/disaster-affected and displaced populations. The S&S work at InterAction provides a platform to support and improve the collaboration, capacity, practices, and policies of InterAction Members and other stakeholders.

This is a full-time position based in Washington DC. Due to COVID-19, InterAction has and continues to develop new and flexible workplace policies. InterAction maintains a hybrid work environment and employees currently work remotely and flexibly from home on some days and in-person in the office on others. Employees can work remotely from anywhere outside the DMV area for up to four weeks per year. There is an expectation that employees are based in the Washington DC region.

Essential Functions
• Familiarize with the broader humanitarian S&S assistance modalities, keep up to date on crisis-affected country contexts, and understand Members’ overarching challenges in providing humanitarian assistance, specifically shelter and settlements and non-food items (NFIs).
• Conduct basic literature review on issues related to S&S, such as non-food shelter items; disaster risk reduction; the Settlements Approach1; climate and environment; protection and gender issues; camps and camp-like settings; communications with communities; house, land, property, and tenure security; and rental and hosting support. Additional issues are covered in the Roadmap for Research report.
• Support InterAction’s development of the updated Shelter and Settlements training course curriculum. This involves significant group and individual consultations, peer-reviews, and testing.
• Support InterAction’s climate and environmental mainstreaming work with research, meeting facilitation, and note taking.
• Support in planning, managing, and facilitating regional and global events, possibly to include regional Shelter Forums and a Global S&S Conference.
• Promote and advocate for shelter needs and good practices via social media, blogs, and articles in research journals.
• Organize and manage monthly Shelter & Settlements Working Group meetings and other forums with Members and external stakeholders.
• Support recruitment of consultants, contractual requirements, and timelines.
• Liaise with Members and partners, including the Global Shelter Cluster, UN Agencies, country clusters and field staff, and conduct business development and partnership support with donors, academic institutions, current and prospective members.
• Support proposal development and reporting, when needed.

The Program Associate may be required to assist with other priority tasks from time to time. The Program Associate will spend 5-10% of their time on learning and professional development and may be required to support other teams and organizational logistics and administrative tasks, as required.

Qualifications and Skills
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree with a focus on international development, humanities, conflict studies or similar fields. Technical degree or experience in engineering, architecture, or urban planning is a plus.
• Up to 1-2 years of professional, volunteer, or research experience in a relevant field, including but not limited to internships or semesters abroad in low- and middle-income countries.
• Keen interest in the humanitarian shelter and housing sector. Familiarity with humanitarian related work or NGO system.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills. Fluency in a second language is highly valued.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize a broad range of academic and humanitarian publications.
• Strong organization, coordination, and project management skills. Ability to prioritize, multi-task, adapt, and manage time effectively.
• Enjoy working as part of a team and facilitating cross-team collaboration.
• Ability to follow through on tasks and responsibilities proactively with limited supervision.
• Ability to organize, facilitate and lead working group meetings with large audiences.
• Commitment to InterAction’s mission and values.

Compensation
$45,000-50,000. InterAction additionally offers an excellent benefits package.

Expected Start Date
August/September 2023.

Reports To
Director, Shelter and Settlements

Travel:
Depends on the projects Up to 5% overseas travel.

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.
There are no extraordinary physical requirements for the performance of the essential functions of this position. InterAction will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
All applicants must be able to provide documentation that they are legally eligible to work in the United States for an extended period.
Applicants are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to produce proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment. InterAction will evaluate requests for reasonable accommodations for applicants unable to be vaccinated due to a religious belief, disability or pregnancy on an individualized basis in accordance with applicable laws.
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.

To Apply:
Please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@interaction.org. Applicants are invited to provide a 1–2-page writing sample on a humanitarian-related issue, but it is optional. Subject line should contain “YOUR NAME-Program Associate-S&S 2023”.

Position will remain open until filled, but applications received before July 31, 2023, are preferred. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered for this position. Due to the volume of interest, only candidates considered will be contacted. Please - no phone calls.