Program Officer – South 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.

IRI seeks a program officer (PO) to oversee the implementation of its democracy and governance programs in South Asia. The Washington, DC-based PO is responsible for designing and implementing a strategy for IRI’s South Asia programs. The PO closely monitors and analyzes political and economic developments in South Asia, develops program ideas, and drafts proposals on a range of democracy and assistance programs. The PO will work closely with IRI’s field offices in South Asia to cultivate close working relationships with program partners and with funders. The PO is also involved in new business development efforts.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
• Three to five years’ professional international development experience in democracy and governance sector, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs or legislative bodies, or equivalent combination in South Asia.
• Two to three years’ project management experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with USAID and/or State Department funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the South Asia region.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Experience monitoring project workplans, timelines and budgets.
• Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, other funders or relevant audiences.
• 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.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in South Asia to provide regional and country analysis and information.
• Anticipates potential problems, troubleshoots, offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of challenges 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.
• Supports efforts to ensure that grants are in compliance with grant agreements and completed on time.
• Monitors and ensures proper tracking of budget estimates and program expenditures to ensure that IRI projects remain within budget allocations.
• Oversees updates to budget tracker and leads regular team budget analysis discussions.
• Oversees and participates in all monitoring and evaluation efforts for grants assigned.
• Leads efforts to evaluate and uses information related to the approved grant workplan.
• Reviews, edits and contributes to quarterly, semi-annual, final and other reports for funders.
• Contributes to the substantive design of new programs and to the development of new program ideas.
• Develops and coordinates new program ideas.
• Assists with assessing new funding opportunities and serve as proposal manager (as assigned) for new bid opportunities.
• Establishes, maintains, and develops strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders in Washington, DC and abroad.
• 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.
• Represents IRI at external events.
• Travels to South Asia as needed for program oversight and implementation; if an immediate need arises deploys on short- to long-term service in the field to maintain continuity of the program.
• Supervises Program Associate, is involved in hiring and evaluation process. Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback.
• Participates in cross functional teams and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Political Science or related field.

Experience

Required

3-5 years:

Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field. Three to five years’ professional international development experience in democracy and governance sector, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs or legislative bodies, or equivalent combination in South Asia. Two to three years’ project management experience. Demonstrated experience working with USAID and/or State Department funded projects.

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)