Resident Program Director, Sudan at International Republican Institute (IRI)

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
• 8+ years professional experience in international development programming in the areas of democratic governance and politics.
• Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa or the Middle East, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/ NGOs and/or legislative bodies.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the region, particularly Sudan and neighboring countries.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.
• Demonstrated experience working with USG funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes, especially USAID.
• 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 bilateral/multi-lateral agencies and other donor 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 country of assignment a significant amount throughout the year, security permitting.
• Demonstrated significant experience living and working in post-conflict or conflict-ridden countries and willingness to live and work in a challenging environment.
• Language proficiency in Arabic is a plus.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Sudan to provide regional and country analysis.
• Serves as the official senior IRI representative for Sudan, developing credibility with and maintaining good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including USAID, U.S. and foreign diplomats and donor agencies, host-country government representatives, and program partners.
• Participates in the substantive design of new programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas in Sudan and, as appropriate, South Sudan.
• Oversees the implementation of all program activities oversees ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives.
• Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field and DC staff.
• Oversees all operations related to the IRI field presence and ensures IRI is in compliance with local laws regarding IRI’s legal status in the country and employment of local staff.
• Supervises local field staff, including participating in the hiring, professional development and evaluation process for these staff. Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback.
• Mentors local staff in program development, program implementation, finance, work plan development and presentation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, business development and knowledge management in their country of assignment.
• Maintains an understanding of IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight as well as assigned grants’ specific substantive, financial and compliance requirements per its respective funder.
• Oversees the implementation of all program activities in the country ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives, reporting weekly to DC.
• Monitors and approves field office budgets and expenses, in collaboration with DC program staff and the Regional Project Accountant, to ensure that expenditures remain within budget allocations.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports to DC staff on political and economic developments, and media responses.
• Ensures adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans, including the monitoring of programs and evaluation/analysis of program results.
• Provides information and contributes to sections of quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders, reviewing to ensure quality and completeness.
• Anticipates and troubleshoots project problems and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
• Leads business development and capture efforts, including identifying and seeking out potential new or additional sources of funding with real-time costs estimates for proposal budgets, and/or the development of new program ideas, coordinating with DC staff.
• Actively supports IRI’s communication strategy including IRI’s branding and outreach plans on projects assigned, including drafts and updates program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.