Senior Governance Specialist

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 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 Senior Governance Specialist serves as part of the Center, serving a multi-faceted role as program developer and implementer. The Senior Governance Specialist manages the Center’s governance programs under the supervision of the Senior Governance Manager and develops program ideas and drafts proposals on a range of governance themes, subsequently supporting program implementation through a range of activities. The Senior Governance Specialist consults with regional program teams based in Washington D.C. and in field offices on governance programs. The Senior Governance Specialist also works closely with the Sr Advisor for Governance and Anticorruption and the Sr Governance Manager in providing cross-divisional technical advice and in business development efforts.

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field; Graduate Degree preferred.
• 5-7 years of professional experience in democratic governance, politics, government reform, public sector management and/or international development.
• Demonstrated experience with program management, project implementation, managing procurement processes and budgetary oversight.
• Experience working with U.S. Government funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute program activities in ways that both achieve results and raise the initiative’s public profile.
• Proven experience leading the entire business development capture life cycle, to include serving as lead technical writer on winning proposals.
• Exceptional organizational and detail-oriented skills.
• Exceptional ability to operate under strict deadlines and ability to easily shift priorities.
• Strong interpersonal, research, and written/oral communications 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.
• Strong management skills and ability to mentor junior staff.
• Experience living, working and/or traveling internationally.
• Willingness and ability to travel to challenging environments, up to 20% of the time.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Oversees implementation of specific programs and grant(s) on anti-corruption, political strengthening, civil society capacity-building, and local governance; and/or as assigned. This entails but is not limited to:
  • Understanding assigned grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements.
  • Leading efforts to ensure that grants are in compliance with grant agreements and completed on time.
  • Monitoring and ensuring proper tracking of budgets and program expenditures to ensure that IRI projects remain within budget allocations; and leading regular team budget analysis discussions.
  • Overseeing and advising on procurement and finance processes and ensuring that project milestones are completed within the required deadlines
  • Overseeing and participating in all monitoring and evaluation efforts for grants assigned.
  • S/he will also be responsible for the creation of training materials, curricula and other tools.
• Serves as primary internal expert for programmatic needs related to government reform, public sector management and other related topics, and builds expertise around governance innovative approaches.
• Actively tracks latest research (academic and program impact) on governance issues. Continually incorporates these lessons into IRI’s approach and share them with staff across IRI.
• Provides cross-divisional support to business development efforts, including proposal writing.
• Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders in the democracy, rights and governance (DRG) community, international development, foreign policy, and think tank community, including DC and field-based staff and external experts.
• Supervises staff assigned to the portfolio, including leading the hiring, professional development and evaluation process for these staff. Sets specific performance goals and provides ongoing performance feedback. Serves as a mentor and resource for junior staff.
• Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• Represents IRI at external events.
• Maintains an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant and project implementation and compliance.
• Participates in cross functional teams and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Political Science or related field.

Preferred

Masters or better in Political Science or related field.

Experience

Required

5-7 years: Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field; Graduate Degree preferred. 5-7 years of professional experience in democratic governance, politics, government reform, public sector management and/or international development. Demonstrated experience with program management, project implementation, managing procurement processes and budgetary oversight.

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)