Program Manager for Global Elections

Washington DC
1225 I St, NW
Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005, USA

Join Our Team as a Program Manager for Global Initiatives at the International Republican Institute (IRI)!
ABOUT IRI
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.

ABOUT THE ROLE: PROGRAM MANAGER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES
The Program Manager for Global Initiatives oversees the implementation of IRI’s elections portfolio and supports other global initiatives as needed. The role is principally responsible for managing election-related grants and programs across their full lifecycle; providing analytical, operational, and technical support to elections programming; and coordinating closely with internal teams, donors, and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality, timely, and compliant delivery of elections-related work and other global initiatives as assigned across the Institute.

This position is located in Washington, DC. The Program Manager for Global Initiatives is expected to work in-office at least three days per week. This position requires 30% or more travel, depending on organizational needs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Grant and Program Management

Lead and contribute to the design of newelection-related programs and global initiatives.

Oversee the full lifecycle management of an assigned grant portfolio, ensuring achievement of substantive program objectives and compliance with financial, contractual, procurement, and funder requirements.

Monitor program budgets, expenditures, and financial controls, in coordination with Project Delivery and Program Services teams.

Lead program kick-off and close-out processes, ensuring timely completion of deliverables and required documentation.

Anticipate implementation risks and proactively troubleshoot programmatic, operational, or compliance challenges.

Maintainastrong working knowledge of IRI and donor policies relevant to grant management and compliance.

Team Leadership and Coordination

Supervise staff assigned to the portfolio, including participation in recruitment, goal setting, performance feedback, and professional development.

Serve as a primary point of coordination with regional teams, operational units, consultants, and external partners involved in elections programming.

Participate in cross-functional initiatives and working groups supporting Institute-wide priorities.

Reporting and Proposal Development

Draft technical sections, annexes, and supporting documentation for election-related proposals in coordination with the Director, Global Elections.

Prepare donor reports, briefing notes, and internal updates, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and adherence to funder requirements and timelines.

Contribute elections-related analysis and programmatic input to business development efforts.

Analysis and Research

Monitor and analyze electoral and political developments across assigned countries and regions.

Conduct background research and thematic analysis on electoral systems, election administration, campaign finance, and political contexts.

Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data and field findings into internal and external analytical products.

Election Observation and Assessment Support

Support the planning, preparation, and implementation of international election observation missions and electoral assessments.

Develop work plans, briefing materials, reference tools, and observer guidance to support standardized election observation methodologies.

Support real-time and post-election analysis, reporting, and follow-up processes.

Coordinate engagement with election observation delegations, serving as a professional point of contact before and during missions.

Manage delegation communications, schedules, and information flow in politically sensitive environments.

Participate in short-term or long-term election observation activities, including international travel as appropriate.

Global Initiatives Support

Support additional global democracy and governance initiatives as needed, including work related to the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN), religious freedom, fundamental liberties, countering foreign authoritarian influence, technology and democracy, and other cross-cutting priorities.

Operational and Administrative Support

Track program timelines, deliverables, budgets, and documentation to support effective implementation and institutional memory.

Maintain organized files, trackers, and reference materials related to elections programming and global initiatives.

Coordinate internal workflows across the Institute related to discrete global initiatives.

Note: This post is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required in this role. Further details of the role will be shared during the recruitment process.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR
We seek a passionate and experienced individual with:

Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, or related field; graduate coursework or degree preferred.

Minimum five years of professional experience in democratic governance, elections, political analysis, or international development programming.

Demonstrated experience with elections advocacy, electoral integrity issues, or election observation.

Strong research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly and accurately.

Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Demonstrated management or supervisory experience, including the ability to motivate and manage staff.

Extensive experience managing U.S. government–funded projects and familiarity with relevant regulations and grant compliance requirements.

Demonstrated experience developing and managing program budgets.

Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English; proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic preferred but not required.

Ability to work professionally and diplomatically with senior leaders, international stakeholders, and delegation groups in politically sensitive contexts.

Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to challenging or high-risk environments, as required.

IRI TOTAL COMPENSATION
The anticipated compensation range for this position is $80,000 to $90,000 USD.

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education and other business needs along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are made based on the aforementioned considerations.

WE OFFER
An empathetic and dedicated work environment with generous benefits that demonstrates IRI’s commitment to all dimensions of employee wellness, including:

Health and Wellness Support : Significant coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance costs. Meaningful assistance programs through an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) and Rula (access to mental health experts).

Long-term Financial Health : Retirement plan with generous employer contribution (vested after 12 months).

Hybrid and Flexible Work : Hybrid and telework options.

Time Off : Company-paid holidays, parental leave, generous vacation, sick, and personal leave days.

Family Support : Dependent Care FSA

Learning and Development Opportunities : Annual allowance for professional development courses and seminars along with access to world-class E-Learning via eCornell.

Compensation Equity : Regular competitive review of internal and external equity to ensure fairness in pay for employees working in similar jobs requiring comparable knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits, professional development, and flexibility offerings may vary based on employment classification and location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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