Resident Program Director / IEOM Mission Director at the International Republican Institute

International Republican Institute (IRI) is the premier international democracy-development organization. Our nonpartisan, nongovernmental Institute has performed high-impact work in more than 100 countries since 1983, in Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East and North Africa and currently has offices in 40 countries worldwide.

We are looking for an experienced person to fill the position below:

Job Title: Resident Program Director / IEOM Mission Director

Requisition Number: RESID002535
Location: Abuja
Job Category: Program
Employment Type: Full-Time

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 Resident Program Director (RPD) will be based in Abuja and is responsible for all programmatic, personnel, outreach and accounting matters in Nigeria.
• In consultation with IRI/Washington, the RPD designs and implements a long-range strategy for IRI programs, manages budgets and is responsible for compliance with local laws and regulations governing current funding.
• The RPD will also serve in the capacity of Mission Director for the Nigeria International Election Observation Mission (IEOM) under a CEPPS/USAID award.
• In partnership with the National Democratic Institute (NDI) the IEOM will assess Nigeria ’s 2023 presidential and legislative elections and the degree to which they are inclusive, transparent and accountable and are conducted in accordance with international and regional standards for credible elections.
• In this capacity, the RPD will be responsible for the overall management and implementation of the joint IEOM, including providing strategic program guidance, high-level representation, coordination with the government and other international observer missions, and achievement of the overall objectives of the CEPPS IEOM program. The mission director will work closely with NDI’s Deputy Mission Director to realize efficient management of the overall mission.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities

• Monitors, analyzes, and reports on political and related developments in Nigeria to provide regional and country analysis. 
• Serves as the official senior IRI representative in Nigeria, developing credibility and maintaining good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. and foreign diplomats and donor agencies, host-country government representatives, and program partners. 
• Oversees all operations related to the IRI field presence and ensures IRI follows local laws regarding IRI’s legal status in the country and employment of field staff. 
• Supervises field staff, including participating in the hiring, professional development, and evaluation process for staff. Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback. 
• Mentors field staff in program development, finance, work plan development and presentation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, business development and knowledge management.
• Oversees the implementation of all program activities ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives, reporting weekly to DC.
• Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight. 
• 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. 
• 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.  
• Leads business development 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. 
• Takes a leading role in implementing a communication strategy for Nigeria, including the IEOM, 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. 
• Anticipates potential problems and troubleshoots project problems and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Mission Director Responsibilities

• Manages overall implementation of the joint observation mission in Nigeria. 
• Manages relationships and serves as key liaison with partners throughout the electoral period, including USAID and the U.S. Embassy, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigerian government representatives, the National Assembly, civil society, political parties, other international observer delegations, and the donor community.
• Informs the overall strategic direction of the observation mission and spearheads the drafting of statements, reports and any public documents released by the mission.
• Makes necessary inquiries and planning and provide guidance on how to organize the logistical, administrative and security component of the IEOM.
• Coordinates with NDI to oversee and execute all IEOM-related activities before, during and after the elections.
• Other duties which are relevant for IEOM support or related activities.

Position Requirements

• Graduate Degree in Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in democracy and governance, working directly with election authorities, political parties, civil society organizations, and marginalized groups, particularly youth and women.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history, and culture of Nigeria specifically and West Africa more generally.
• Relevant operations management experience in elections and political processes programming including experience at the national and/or international level organizing, coordinating and/or observing elections.
• Experience managing USG funded projects, including IEOMs, and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
• Demonstrated experience in managing relationships with election authorities, civil society, and senior political leaders, as well as members of the donor and diplomatic community and media representatives.
• Experience managing staff members, election observers and analysts, and demonstrated success in collaborating with a senior management team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage a team composed of individuals of different cultural and political backgrounds, while maintaining impartiality and objectivity and meeting program goals.
• Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with bilateral/multi-lateral agencies and other donor communities.
• Financial management experience in developing and administering program budgets.
• Ability to communicate skills and experience to others as a trainer, advisor, or technical consultant.
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability to adjust program activities based on changing political or electoral circumstances and in response to needs articulated by local partners, international partners and program stakeholders.
• Strong written, oral communication and presentation skills in English.
• Willingness to travel throughout Nigeria.

Application Close Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online