Program Officer – Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)

Job Summary:

Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the Core Values in their day-to-day operations. The Core Values, which are IRI’s foundational building blocks include:

Excellence– We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom– We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion and the power of global collaboration. Transparency– We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

The Program Officer (PO) works with DC-based and field-based team members to design, plan and implement projects within their portfolio of assignment, ensuring USG grant compliance and fiscal responsibility. The PO monitors program progress and ensures the achievement of key benchmarks, including funder required indicators. The PO closely monitors and analyzes political and economic developments in assigned countries and the surrounding region, develops program ideas, and drafts proposals on a range of democracy and assistance programs. The PO also supports the identification and oversight of program partners, managing the procurement process with partners. The PO ensures effective communication with key stakeholders, including funders. The PO is also involved in new business development efforts for assigned portfolio.

This is a hybrid position based with the program team in Washington, DC.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
• Three to five years’ professional experience, preferably in the field of democracy and governance.
• Demonstrated experience working with US Government funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes, especially USAID.
• Experience with an international non-profit organization preferred.
• Demonstrated people management experience including ability to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals and requirements.
• Experience with the following topics strongly desired: transitional politics, conflict/post-conflict contexts, elections, coalition building, advocacy, civic/voter education, citizen engagement and/or public opinion research.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the Latin America and Caribbean region.
• Experience working and living in Latin American and Caribbean countries and in operationally challenging countries.
• Experience with program management, implementation and basic accounting necessary to draft and oversee a budget.
• Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.
• 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.
• Professional fluency in Spanish required, professional fluency in French preferred.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills in both English and Spanish.
• Ability to travel to new and challenging environments.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Oversees implementation of specific grant(s) and associated grant activities, with oversight and direction from Program Manager.
• Understands assigned grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements. Maintains an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Develops detailed workplans to meet program objectives and regularly reviews workplans to anticipate potential problems, troubleshoot and offer solutions, and lead resolution of problems.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in specific countries to provide regional and country analysis and information.
• Monitors and ensures proper tracking of budget estimates and program expenditures to ensure that IRI projects remain within budget allocations.
• Leads the drafting of and/or reviews quarterly, semi-annual and final funder reports, collaborating with field and HQ team members.
• Oversees and participates in all monitoring and evaluation efforts for grants assigned.
• Contributes to business development efforts, including the substantive design of new programs and the development of new program ideas, assessing new funding opportunities, and serving as proposal manager (as assigned).
• Establishes, maintains, and develops strong working relationships with relevant stakeholders in DC and abroad.
• Actively supports IRI’s communication strategy including IRI’s branding and outreach plans, including drafts and updates program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, etc.
• Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• As assigned, assists Program Manager in overseeing Program Associate(s), and is consulted in hiring and evaluation process. Contributes ongoing performance feedback in coordination with Program Manager.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Political Science or related field.

Experience

Required

3-5 years:

Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field. Three to five years’ professional experience, preferably in the field of democracy and governance. Demonstrated experience working with US Government funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes, especially USAID. Experience with an international non-profit organization preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)