(Technical) Director for Democracy, Rights, and Governance Technical Leadership

Job Details

Description

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 (the Center) 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 Director for Democracy, Rights, and Governance Technical Leadership, within the Center, provides strategic direction for and oversight of IRI’s development and implementation of approaches and innovative programming across IRI technical areas—from political party strengthening to conflict prevention and stabilization. They manage the Technical Advancement Practice, within the Center, comprised of teams who lead on IRI’s technical areas.

In this role, they are responsible, working with the Center’s Senior Director, for: ensuring IRI’s technical approaches and programming are grounded in the latest evidence; that Center technical area leads provide support/guidance to IRI regional divisions and field staff in a uniform and systematized fashion; that IRI can capture and learn from successes and failures; oversight of program activities and financial management; oversight of external engagement and thought leadership.

The Director is part of the Center’s management team and reports to the Senior Director. They collaborate closely with the Center’s Director for Evidence and Learning and Deputy Director for Strategy, Operations, and Development. They work closely and collaboratively with the IRI front office and leadership across the organization to ensure that the Institute is well placed to deliver on its mission.

Position Requirements

• Graduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field.

• Ten or more years related work experience in program design and management, politics/government, think tank/academia, or international development.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the ways democracy, human rights and governance intersect internationally, as evidenced by relevant expertise, publications, or research.

• Excellent writing, communications, and presentation skills.

• Proven ability to contribute to the design and development of project proposals, in particular in leading the technical design and writing of such proposals.

• Proven track record in business development in the international development field.

• Proven knowledge of USG donor requirements particularly the U.S. Agency for International Development.

• Experience managing large teams, including a proven ability to successfully recruit, develop, supervise, and motivate staff, and provide effective leadership.

• 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.

• Experience living, working, or traveling internationally.

• Strong written and oral communications, presentation and editing skills in English.

• Ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, other donors or relevant audiences.

• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to shifting priorities.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet Institutional needs

• Willingness to travel to remote and difficult countries.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

Institutional Leadership and Technical Expertise

• Provides strategic direction and technical expertise for IRI’s technical approaches and associated innovative programming across all technical areas, in partnership with relevant technical leads and in consultation with regional divisions.
• Works closely with the Senior Director to develop and oversee short and long-term strategic plans and programs for the division that reflect and support IRI’s global mission and strategic priorities.
• Supports the Senior Director by providing management oversight and direction for Center-wide initiatives.
• Leads the process, within the Center and for IRI writ-large, to develop innovative programming.
• Works with regional division leadership to provide technical inputs – directly or via technical area leads – in support of business development, program design, program implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
• Supports IRI’s knowledge management efforts, to ensure the Institute can capture, for each technical area, evidence/lessons and then incorporate them into ongoing program implementation or proposal writing and program design.

Business Development and External Engagement

• Identifies and seeks new business development opportunities and develops strong professional relationships with potential donors and contacts.
• In coordination with the Center’s Senior Director and the Deputy Director for Strategy, Operations, and Development, develop and execute a business development plan and associated capture strategies for technical areas under their purview and related programming, both Center-led and Center-supported for the Institute.
• Responsible for ensuring, working with regional division leadership and business development staff, that IRI proposals contain evidence-based lessons and approaches.

• Actively engages in IRI’s external affairs efforts to build the brand and identifies opportunities for Institute-wide staff to be involved in such efforts related to technical areas under their purview.

• Assists the Senior Director, when appropriate, with external relations, including, but not limited, to participating as IRI representative in Washington and overseas in meetings with governmental and non-governmental representatives.

• In collaboration with the Senior Director, represents IRI in broader discussions on demonstrating results and IRI’s approaches and innovative programming within the implementer, donor, academic and policy-making communities, and leads outreach efforts within these communities.

• Identifies opportunities for IRI to demonstrate thought leadership, especially in external events and conferences in Washington DC and beyond.

• Develop and maintains partnerships by building and fostering cordial, productive working relationships with funders and program partners.

• Publish and/or co-author op-eds, blogs, and other written articles to demonstrate IRI’s thought leadership and technical areas of expertise on assigned topics, both in US and foreign outlets.

• Communicate with counterparts on a regular basis and foster a positive image of IRI in the democracy and governance community.

Management: Staff and Grants

• Supervises technical advancement staff. Manages and grows a team of thematic experts and specialists and supervise technical leads as assigned.
• Communicates with staff in a way that keeps them engaged and motivated to enable better retention.
• Advance increased collaboration between Technical Advancement and the Evidence and Learning Practice by working with the ELP Director to establish and oversee mechanisms for joint projects and mutual learning.
• Assumes fiduciary responsibility for direct-managed grant finances including analysis, budget monitoring and projections in full compliance with IRI and funder requirements.
• Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures and provides oversight and ensures grant compliance.
• Monitors proposal and reporting development and submission process to ensure complete, accurate, and timely proposal and reporting submissions.
• As a member of the Center management team, provide regular inputs and lead discrete efforts related to strategic planning, operational optimization, outreach, and knowledge and talent management.
• Travel as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.