Program Manager, MENA

Position description

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 TEAM: MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (MENA)

IRI’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Team designs and implements country-specific and regional programs across the MENA region. In a dynamic and complex environment that presents opportunities to strengthen democratic governance and transparency, as well as challenges to hard-won democratic gains, the MENA regional team supports local actors to strengthen political parties, support civic institutions, enhance good governance, and secure access to accurate information.

 

ABOUT THE ROLE: PROGRAM MANAGER, MENA

The Program Manager (PM) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is responsible for the overall oversight and management of grants managed by the MENA team. This includes proactive engagement with Project Specialists assigned to support project implementation and with field-based implementers delivering programming.  In addition, the PM provides support to MENA leadership in business development, external engagement and overall management and support to field-based implementers. The PM will play a key role in proposal development, ensuring proposals are aligned with broader Institute and regional strategies, advance key goals relevant to the context, and represent IRI’s comparative and competitive advantages.

This is a hybrid position located in Washington, DC, anticipated to be in the office 3 days per week.

This role is contingent on project funding. While funding is currently in place through the end of the calendar year, the Institute cannot guarantee continued funding beyond that period.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in the Middle East and North Africa region.
• Leads project teams and contributes to the substantive design of new programs.
• Manages and oversees work of project teams (Specialists, Associates, others) assigned to regional project implementation.
• 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.

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.

Qualifications

We seek a passionate and experienced individual with:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field. Graduate degree preferred.
• Minimum five 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. Experience working with programming in closed societies/sensitive contexts is preferred.
• Substantive knowledge of the MENA region, including its political dynamics, historical and cultural context, and current governance landscape.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills, including the ability to produce high quality reports, proposals and briefings for diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated management experience managing staff and project teams, with the ability to mentor, supervise and motivate high performance.
• 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.
• Experience preparing, presenting and negotiating complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with bilateral/multi-lateral agencies and other funder communities.
• Demonstrated ability to serve in a training, advisory or technical support role with local or regional partners, and a sensitivity to cross-cultural and power dynamics.
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently, coordinate multi-team efforts and drive toward programmatic goals. 
• Willingness and ability to travel within the region, sometimes on short notice.
• Second language preferred.

 

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.

Application instructions

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