BRIDGE Program Manager

Job Summary:

Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the core values in their day to day operations.

Excellence- We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom- We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion and the power of global collaboration. Transparency- We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

The International Republican Institute’s Center for Global Impact is designed to help IRI learn, innovate, and lead in global democratic development programming. Comprised of experts specializing in a range of technical areas and program staff who oversee global and cross-cutting initiatives, the Center leads the Institute’s efforts to contribute to thought leadership, respond to emerging global challenges and trends, facilitate global initiatives, and serve as an incubator for new ideas and cutting-edge approaches.

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for managing the overall countering authoritarian influence portfolio through oversight, implementation, and management of specified grants and projects. S/he closely monitors and analyzes political and economic developments in countries/technical areas of responsibility, develops program ideas, and contributes to business development, including drafting proposals and tracking ongoing opportunities, on a range of democracy and assistance programs. S/he also identifies program partners and develops and maintains close relationships with them and with funders.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of experience in international development or related field.
• Dedicated interest in countering authoritarian influence programming, with particular interest in China or Russia preferred.

• Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.
• Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with bilateral/multi-lateral agencies and other funder communities.
• Excellent writing, communications, and presentation skills.

• Experience writing and editing effective proposals and reports.
• Experience conducting research on social science topics and production of concise, effective analytical summaries.

• Strong ability to initiate, foster, interact, and maintain relationships with contacts and stakeholders in a diverse and multicultural environment, with sensitivity respect, discretion, tact, and professionalism.

• Ability to conduct outreach for fundraising and promotion purposes.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals.
• Ability to travel to new and challenging environments.

• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to shifting priorities.
• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentially regarding all aspects of work.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Manage and implement assigned grants and program activities, from fulfillment of substantive programmatic objectives to financial and compliance requirements for the life of the grant(s).
• Maintain an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Fully understand assigned grant’s substantive, financial, and compliance requirements and ensures that assigned grants are completed on time, within budget, and in full compliance.
• Develop short- and long-term project initiatives and activities for assigned projects.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of strategic plans and initiatives on behalf of the Senior Advisor for countering authoritarian influence.
• Monitors and ensures proper tracking of program expenditures to ensure projects remain within budget allocations and are implemented timely against a project work-plan.

• Oversees and lead monitoring and evaluation efforts.
• Writes and reviews high quality quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders.

• Review and provide technical input on research related to authoritarian influence around the world, with a particular focus on Russia and China.
• Draft short articles and blogs related to Russia and China’s foreign influence efforts and democratic resilience to foreign authoritarian influence
• Work with IRI regional teams to craft programming interventions that bolster democratic resilience to foreign authoritarian influence

• Represents IRI at external events and actively supports IRI’s communication strategy, branding, and outreach, including drafts and updates program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, etc.

• Establish, maintain, and develop productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field and DC staff.
• Supervises staff assigned to the portfolio, including leading the hiring, professional development and evaluation process for these staff. Set specific performance goals and provide ongoing performance feedback.
• Conduct and coordinate Institute-wide outreach, both building and maintaining global networks and contacts related to countering authoritarian influence.
• Lead efforts to identify and pursue new funding strategies and opportunities.
• Serve as technical lead or proposal manager (as assigned) for new bid opportunities.
• Support the countering authoritarian influence Senior Advisor and Team Lead in tracking potential business development opportunities.
• Anticipate potential problems, troubleshoot project problems, offer solutions and actively take part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
• Travel as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Experience

• 5 - 7 years: • Dedicated interest in countering authoritarian influence programming, with particular interest in China or Russia preferred. • Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.• Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with bilateral/multi-lateral agencies and other funder communities. • Excellent writing, communications, and presentation skills.

Education

• Bachelors or better in Political Science or related field

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)