Jobs

Resident Program Director at International Republican Institute

International Republican Institute (IRI) is the premier international democracy development organization. Our nonpartisan, nongovernmental Institute has performed high-impact work in more than 100 countries since 1983, in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa and currently has offices in 40 countries worldwide.

We are looking for an experienced person to fill the position below:

Job Title: Resident Program Director

Requisition Number: RESID003322
Location: Abuja
Job Category: Program
Employment Type: Full-Time

Description

The Resident Program Director (RPD) is responsible for all programmatic, personnel, outreach, and accounting matters in Nigeria. In consultation with IRI/Washington, the RPD designs and implements a long-range strategy for IRI programs in Nigeria, manages budgets and is responsible for compliance with local laws and regulations governing current funding.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Nigeria to provide regional and country analysis.
Serves as the official senior IRI representative in Nigeria, developing credibility with and maintaining good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. and foreign diplomats and donor agencies, host-country government representatives, and program partners.
Participates in the substantive design of programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas.
Oversees the implementation of all program activities ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives.
Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field, and DC staff.
Monitors, analyzes, and reports to DC staff on political and economic developments, and media responses.
Ensures adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans, including the monitoring of programs and evaluation/analysis of program results.
Provides information and contributes to sections of quarterly, semi-annual, final, and other relevant reports for funders.
Anticipates potential problems and trouble shoots project challenges and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
Leads business development efforts, including identifying and seeking out potential new or additional sources of funding with real-time costs estimates for proposal budgets, and/or the development of new program ideas, coordinating with DC staff.
Actively supports IRI’s communication strategy including IRI’s branding and outreach plans on projects assigned, including drafts and updates program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, etc.
Oversees all operations related to the IRI field presence and ensures IRI complies with local laws regarding IRI’s legal status in the country and employment of field staff.
Supervises field staff, including participating in the hiring, professional development, and evaluation process for these staff. Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback.
Mentors field staff in program development, finance, work plan development and presentation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, business development, and knowledge management.
Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
Understands a grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements.
Oversees the implementation of all program activities in Nigeria ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives, reporting weekly to DC.
Monitors and approves field office budgets and expenses, in collaboration with DC program staff and the Regional Project Accountant, to ensure that expenditures remain within budget allocations.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

Undergraduate Degree in Political Science, International Relations, or related field.
Master’s degree preferred.
Minimum 8 years of professional experience working in in democracy and governance, working directly with election authorities, political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs, and marginalized groups, including youth, women, and PWDs.
Record of political party capacity strengthening programming, including improving party structure, organization, platform and policy development, candidate training, campaign financing, constituency outreach, and inter-party dialogue and conflict resolution.
Background in conflict mitigation programs, including civilian led security initiatives focused on women and youth inclusion.
Experience implementing activities, including stakeholder dialogue between civil society, political parties, and government actors, that encourage competitive, representative, inclusive, and transparent political and electoral processes.
Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor, or technical consultant; sensitivity to working in advisory role with local organizations and governments.
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.
Willingness to travel within Nigeria throughout the year.
Record of technical assistance and support to civil society through sub-grant management.
Demonstrated experience working with civil society, assessing and enhancing organizational and advocacy capacity, mentoring, and coaching.
Progressive experience managing complex donor-funded assistance projects, and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials, media, civil society, private sector leaders, international donors, and other stakeholders.
Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history, and culture of Nigeria specifically and of West Africa more broadly.
Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.
Financial management experience in developing and administering program budgets.
Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with bilateral/multi-lateral agencies and other donor communities.