Program Manager – Southeast Asia & the Pacific

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 Program Manager (PM) is responsible for the overall oversight and management of multiple democracy and governance grants in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands from start to end. The successful candidate will contribute to the design and implementation of new programs as well as business development and communications. The PM will manage a multidisciplinary team and serve as the primary liaison with relevant IRI offices in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The PM will oversee budgets, monitoring and evaluation strategies and will progress relationships with funders, partners, stakeholders and vendors.

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field. Graduate degree preferred.
• Five to seven years professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs and/or legislative bodies and officials in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Experience working on elections and/or managing elections observation programs.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of Southeast Asia and the Pacific region. Experience working on the Pacific Islands, Philippines or Timor-Leste an advantage.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience in stakeholder mapping and stakeholder engagement including with stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds and professional experience.
• Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage a multidisciplinary team. Experience providing HQ support to overseas missions or field offices will be an advantage.
• Experience working with USG funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.Experience working on Australia funded projects an advantage.
• Demonstrated financial management experience in developing and administering program budgets.
• Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with government agencies and other funder communities.
• Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor or technical consultant; sensitivity to working in advisory role with local organizations.
• 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 undertake periodic travel to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.
• Ability to analyze and report on quantitative and qualitative public opinion research

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, including the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and 12 Pacific Island countries.
• Leads team and contributes to the substantive design of new programs, including identifying and pursuing new business development opportunities in collaboration with the relevant field teams.
• Reporting directly to the leadership of the Asia-Pacific, Division, contributes to the development of a comprehensive country strategy and program objectives.
• Oversees and is responsible for complete grant oversight of a program portfolio consisting of several large and small grants, from fulfillment of substantive programmatic objectives to financial and compliance requirements for the life of the grant.
• Anticipates potential problems; assesses program risks; offers mitigations and solutions; and actively take leads the resolution with creative and immediate solutions.
• Supervises staff assigned to the portfolio, including participating in the hiring, professional development and evaluation process for these staff. Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback.
• Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationship with relevant funders, stakeholders, consultants, field and DC staff.
• Ensures that grants are completed on time, within budget, and in full compliance with Funder and IRI policies and requirements, including approving field and HQ expenses.
• Maintains an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Leads kick-off and close-out process.
• Ensures compliance with all procurement policies in the implementation of the grant including relevant contract paperwork.
• Supports IRI’s external relations efforts, including working with the program team to commission and edit blogs, op-eds and other pieces for publication.
• Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• Participates in cross-functional teams and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.