Program Officer, Northeast Asia

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. The Core Values, which are IRI’s foundational building blocks include:

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 Program Officer (PO), Northeast Asia, works with the Program Manager (PM) and Resident Program Manager (RPM) in the design and implementation of program in the Northeast Asia Region. S/he closely monitors and analyzes political and economic developments across the region, develops program ideas, identifies program partners, and develops and maintains close relationships with them and with funders. This position will be based with the program team in Washington, DC.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field.
• 3-5 years of professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs or legislative bodies, or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, other donors or relevant audiences.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated experience working with U.S. Government funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes preferred.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history, and culture of Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and other regions in Northeast Asia.
• Experience with program management, implementation, and basic accounting necessary to draft and oversee a budget.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.
• 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 speak a regional language—Cantonese, Korean, Mandarin, Uyghur, etc.—is a plus.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Monitors, analyzes, and reports on political and related developments in Northeast Asia to provide regional and country analysis and information.
• Understand assigned grant’s substantive, financial, and compliance requirements.
• Anticipates potential problems and trouble shoots project problems and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
• Oversees implementation of specific grant(s) and associated grant activities.
• Maintains an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Understands assigned grant’s substantive, financial, and compliance requirements.
• Monitors and ensures proper tracking of budget estimates and program expenditures to ensure that IRI projects remain within budget allocations.
• Oversees and participates in monitoring and evaluation efforts for grants assigned.
• Leads efforts to evaluate and uses information related to the approved grant work plan.
• Writes, edits, and/or reviews quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders.
• Contributes to the substantive design of new programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas.
• Establishes, maintains, and develops strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Actively supports IRI’s communication strategy including IRI’s branding and outreach plans, including drafts and updates program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, etc.
• Organizes meetings and briefings with national and local government officials, civil society leaders, political party members and other stakeholders.
• Supervises program associate and is involved in hiring and evaluation.
• Represents IRI at external events.
• Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.