Program Manager for Global Elections

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.
Core Values

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.
Role

Program Manager for Global Initiatives (Washington, DC). Oversee the implementation of IRI’s elections portfolio and support other global initiatives as needed. Expected to work in‑office at least three days per week with 30% or more travel, depending on organizational needs.
Key Responsibilities

Grant and Program Management

Lead and contribute to the design of new election‑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.
Maintain a strong 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.
What We’re Looking For

Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, or a 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.
Compensation

The anticipated compensation range is $80,000 to $90,000 USD. Salary is determined based on professional experience, qualifications, education, and other business needs.
Benefits

Health and Wellness Support: Significant coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance costs. Employee Assistance Plan 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 with access to world‑class e‑learning.
Compensation Equity: Regular competitive review of internal and external equity to ensure fairness in pay.
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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