Senior Program Manager, Africa

The International Republican Institute (IRI) advances democracy and freedom. We link people with their governments, support politicians to be responsive to citizens, and motivate those citizens to engage in the political process.

At IRI, every employee plays a crucial role in advancing our mission across the globe. We’re looking for passionate individuals who embody our Core Values and are eager to contribute to our dynamic team. Our values include:

• Respect: We lead with trust, empathy, and dignity; empowering colleagues and partners.
• Teamwork: We collaborate across teams; solve problems together; are humble and ready to learn.
• Ownership: We take initiative; champion solutions; deliver results for IRI’s mission.
• Excellence through Execution: We balance thoughtfulness with timeliness; learn from results; prioritize progress over perfection.
• Transparency: We share information openly; give direct feedback; build trust through honest communication.
• Freedom: We are empowered to make decisions, try new approaches, and adapt as needed.

• →Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in assigned region. 

• →Leads team to and contributes to the substantive design of new programs. 

• →Contributes to the development of comprehensive country strategies and program objectives. 

• →Oversees and is responsible for complete grant oversight of a program portfolio (which can consist of large/several grants), from fulfillment of substantive programmatic objectives to financial and compliance requirements for the life of the grant(s). 

• →Anticipates and troubleshoots project problems and offers solutions and actively takes part in leading resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions. This pertains to both programmatic and financial troubles or areas of concern. 

• →Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field and HQ staff. 

• →Ensures that grant(s) are completed on time, within budget, and in full compliance with Funder and IRI policies and requirements, including approving field expenses. 

• →Maintains an understanding of Funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance, procurement and oversight and advises field and DC staff on their team on these policies and procedures to ensure team compliance.  

• →Fully understands assigned grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements. 

• →Monitors kick-off and close-out process of all projects to ensure regional equities and planning considered.  

• →Monitors program team’s grant budgets, spending (budget trackers), and offers guidance and assistance when needed, with Program Services support. 

• →Supports IRI’s external relations efforts in coordination with Division Leadership. 

• →Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation. 

• →Performs other duties as assigned. 

We seek a passionate, resourceful, and technically fluent individual with:

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

• Minimum six years of professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/INGOs and/or legislative bodies and officials.  

• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the assigned region and familiarity with the political context in assigned region.  
• Experience working on economic governance, political economy, trade and investment, or private-sector development programs, with demonstrated exposure to areas such as regional trade corridors, critical minerals, or extractive-sector governance preferred.

• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills. 

• Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff. 

• Extensive experience working with USG funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes. 

• Demonstrated financial management experience in developing and administering multiple, simultaneous program budgets. 

• Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with bilateral/multi-lateral 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 travel within the region. 
• French language skills preferred.