VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Organization: International Republican Institute (IRI)
Position: Senior Program Manager
Job Location: Kathmandu
Description
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.
Based in Kathmandu, Nepal, the Senior Program Manager (SPM) is responsible for designing, planning and implementing IRI’s programs in Nepal. This position will include a specific focus on capacity building programs and technical trainings for provincial officials. S/he monitors program progress and ensures the achievement of key benchmarks, including funder required indicators. The SPM reports to IRI-DC’s SPM for South Asia and in consultation with IRI/Washington, the SPM designs and implements a long-range strategy for IRI programs in Nepal, manages budgets and is responsible for compliance with local laws and regulations governing current funding. The SPM will interact with IRI Washington DC headquarters staff, U.S. and host country government officials and program stakeholders. S/he closely monitors and analyzes political and economic developments in Nepal, when requested, develops program ideas and drafts proposals on a range of democracy and assistance programs. S/he also manages the procurement process with partners and consultants and develops and maintains close relationships with them. The SPM will manage activity budgets and all aspects of successful implementation of activities. The SPM oversees the Program Manager and is responsible to coordinate all accounting and procurement with the Finance Officer. Local Nationals strongly encouraged to apply.
Position Requirements:
• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field. Graduate degree strongly preferred.
• A minimum of seven to eight years in project management or project design and monitoring.
• A minimum of ten to twelve years of professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with local governments, civil society organizations, parliamentarians and political parties on inclusive participation and overseeing subawards to local partners.
• Fluency in English and Nepali. Proficiency in other local dialects a plus.
• Ability to build a program network across all seven provinces.
• Extensive network with provincial assemblies, political parties and the federal parliament in Nepal.
• Working knowledge of the politics and economy of Nepal and South Asia.
• Demonstrated experience working with USAID funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
• Demonstrated financial management experience in developing and administering program budgets.
• Proven ability to build productive relationships between provincial and federal parliaments, civil society, and the public and to set and achieve long term program outcomes.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to meet effectively program needs.
• Proven management skills in a diverse and challenging environment.
• Assist in developing program proposals and budgets and have the basic accounting experience necessary to draft and oversee a budget.
• Work authorization for Kathmandu, Nepal required for at least two years.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities:
• Oversees the implementation of all program activities ensuring consistency with grant workplans and objectives. Specific program components under the SPM’s oversight will include local government capacity building, decentralization assistance and technical training with local government officials, as well as primary or supporting roles in other activities.
• Oversees all operations related to the IRI’s Nepal field office and ensures IRI is compliant with local laws regarding IRI’s legal status in the country and employment of local staff.
• Develops credibility with and maintains good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including U.S. and foreign diplomats and donor agencies, host-country government representatives, and program partners.
• Takes primary responsibility for managing project-specific budgets and expenses, in collaboration with field and DC program staff, to ensure that expenditures remain within budget allocations and rules of allowability
• Leads programming on provincial capacity building and decentralization.
• Manages a team of 2-4 professional-level cooperating country nationals (CCN), directing and coordinating their work implementing activities in support of specific program objectives; Participates in the hiring, professional development and evaluation process for these staff; Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback;
• Reviews and contributes to sections of quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders.
• Seek new opportunities for IRI’s programs and expand IRI’s network of stakeholders and supporters.
• Oversee the development and implementation of program monitoring and evaluation plans with guidance from the DC-based program team and Evaluation and Learning Practice.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Nepal to contribute to regional and country analysis in coordination with field staff and the DC-based South Asia team.
• Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight, including specific compliance details for all project to which he/she is assigned.
• Anticipates potential problems and trouble shoots project problems and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
• 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
Qualifications
Education
Required
Bachelors or better in Political Science or related field.
Experience
Required
7-8 years: Minimum 7-8years of experience
HOW TO APPLY
