Accountability Lab is Hiring: Country Program Officers (CPOs)

Location: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Maldives
Duration: Full-time – 10 Months
Start Date: September 15, 2025
Application Deadline: August 15, 2025
Monthly Remuneration: $1,415 (Fixed, Non-Negotiable)

About the Opportunity

Accountability Lab is hiring Country Program Officers (CPOs) for its groundbreaking Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI)—a regional project aimed at empowering marginalized voices, advancing digital inclusion, and strengthening democratic governance in South Asia. This full-time position presents an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of civic innovation and advocacy in the digital age.

There are seven open positions, one in each of the following countries: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Maldives.

The selected candidates will be responsible for managing national-level activities and will act as the primary focal point for the initiative within their respective countries.

Key Responsibilities

As a Country Program Officer (CPO), the individual will lead and coordinate the national rollout of DDI activities. This includes working directly with grassroots organizations, marginalized communities, civil society groups, and digital rights stakeholders to ensure timely, impactful, and inclusive program delivery.

National Project Implementation

• Lead the in-country execution of the South Asia Diversity Fund (SADF) and the South Asia Democracy Solidarity Block (SADSB).
• Align local implementation with regional strategies, objectives, and timelines.
• Coordinate research and dialogue sessions on digital democracy challenges, ensuring local relevance and inclusion.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify and map key civil society actors, digital rights advocates, and representatives of marginalized groups.
• Maintain a comprehensive stakeholder database reflecting areas of work, capacity, and potential for engagement.
• Facilitate consultations, co-design workshops, and other participatory processes to ensure diverse voices are integrated into project activities.

Grant Management

• Manage all aspects of sub-grant processes under SADF, including issuing calls for proposals, reviewing applications, and conducting due diligence.
• Oversee fund disbursement, grantee mentoring, compliance monitoring, and impact evaluation.
• Ensure that at least 50% of sub-grants benefit underrepresented groups, such as women, youth, transgender individuals, and informal organizations.

Capacity Building

• Design and facilitate capacity-strengthening workshops, both in-person and online.
• Offer technical mentorship to civil society partners on digital safety, civic engagement, and project implementation.
• Support the development of country-specific toolkits, guides, and learning materials.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Provide timely updates and documentation according to M&E guidelines.
• Collect and analyze data to assess impact and align with global learning frameworks.
• Contribute to national case studies and learning reports for regional dissemination.

Advocacy and Campaigns

• Mobilize diverse stakeholders, including youth and marginalized groups, for advocacy efforts focused on civic space and digital rights.
• Help roll out coordinated campaigns and awareness efforts.
• Document lessons learned and key outcomes to strengthen future advocacy

Regional Collaboration

• Participate in regional peer-learning sessions, knowledge-sharing events, and cross-border collaborations.
• Contribute to a regional resource hub with tools, stories, and good practices emerging from national experiences.

Risk Management

• Identify and mitigate operational, political, and safety-related risks.
• Adapt strategies based on evolving national contexts and emerging opportunities.

Who Should Apply

Accountability Lab strongly encourages applications from individuals committed to social justice, democracy, and inclusive development. The ideal candidate should possess the following:

• Experience: Minimum 5 years in program/project management, civil society engagement, governance, or digital rights work.
• Expertise: Demonstrated understanding of civic tech, digital inclusion, community-based advocacy, and stakeholder coordination.

• Skills: Strong facilitation, communication, organizational, and reporting abilities. Proficiency in English and relevant local languages is required.
• Values: A strong commitment to inclusion, equity, accountability, and democratic values.

This role is particularly suitable for candidates who thrive in collaborative environments, understand local challenges, and can work effectively in remote or hybrid contexts while delivering results.

How to Apply

Submit your resume and a cover letter highlighting your motivation and suitability for the role to:
Email: ddi@accountabilitylab.org
Deadline: August 15, 2025

Please ensure the subject line includes: “Application – Country Program Officer – [Your Country]”