Grants Officer, Core Strategy and Engagement; CSE

Grants Officer, Core Strategy and Engagement (CSE)

Washington, DC, US

Salary Range: $51,750.00 To $80,250.00 Annually

Position Title: Grants Officer, Core Strategy and Engagement (CSE)
Grade Level: 4 / Exempt
Reports to: Senior Manager | Core Strategy and Engagement (CSE)

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.

NED partners with four Core institutes—CIPE, IRI, NDI, and The Solidarity Center to advance democracy support around the world. The Core Strategy & Engagement (CSE) team strengthens NED's engagement with the four Core institutes to better support strategic coordination and facilitation of effective engagement, through strengthening shared systems and practices and helping connect priorities across our organizations. This work helps NED to advance common goals and to better draw on the experiences, networks, and expertise of each institution.

The CSE team manages the grant administration of the Core institutes' annual allocation of NED's grantmaking budget.

The Grants Officer manages an assigned portfolio of Core institute grants and serves as the primary resource for the Core institutes throughout the grant lifecycle. The position combines relationship management, grants administration, and financial oversight to support effective project implementation, responsible stewardship of grant funds, and compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.

Working collaboratively across departments, the Grants Officer guides grantees through due diligence, award administration, reporting, and closeout processes while fostering a responsive and grantee-centered grantmaking experience. The role contributes to the integrity, effectiveness, and impact of the organization’s grantmaking programs.

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

Manage an assigned portfolio of grants throughout the full grant lifecycle, from due diligence and award processing through reporting and closeout.

Serve as a primary point of contact for grantees, providing guidance on grant requirements, policies, procedures, and reporting expectations.

Coordinate grant modifications, amendments, and other administrative actions in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.

Maintain accurate grant records and documentation to support effective portfolio management, decision-making, and institutional accountability.

Perform timely closeouts; review grant and financial documentation and ensure all documentation and requirements are complete.

Review proposal budgets, modification requests, financial reports, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy, allowability, and compliance with grant terms and organizational requirements.

Monitor grant expenditures and financial performance throughout the grant lifecycle, identifying issues and recommending appropriate solutions or mitigation measures.

Ensure compliance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and applicable regulations while balancing accountability with a commitment to minimizing unnecessary administrative burden.

Participate in monitoring activities and risk assessments to support responsible stewardship of grant funds and informed decision making.

Handle sensitive financial, organizational, and grantee information with discretion and confidentiality.

Coordinate and work collaboratively with colleagues across the CSE team and…