Program Officer – Ukraine

International Republican Institute

Position description

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

•  Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Ukraine to provide regional and country analysis and information.
• 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.
• Oversees implementation of specific grant(s) and associated grant activities.
• Maintains an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Understands assigned grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements.
• Supports efforts to ensure that grants are in compliance with grant agreements and completed on time.
• Monitors and ensures proper tracking of budget estimates and program expenditures to ensure that IRI projects remain within budget allocations.
• Oversees updates to budget tracker and leads regular team budget analysis discussions.
• Oversees and participates in all monitoring and evaluation efforts for grants assigned.
• Leads efforts to evaluate and uses information related to the approved grant work plan.
• Reviews and edits/adds information to ensure high quality quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders.
• Contributes to the substantive design of new programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas.
• Develops and coordinates new program ideas.
• Assists with assessing new funding opportunities and serve as proposal manager (as assigned) for new bid opportunities.
• 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 drafting and updating program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, blogs etc.
• Represents IRI at external events.
• Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation; if an immediate need arises deploys on short-to long-term service in a program in the field to maintain continuity of the program.
• Supervises Program Associates, is involved in hiring and evaluation process.  Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback.
• Participates in cross functional teams and initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
• Three to five years’ professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs or legislative bodies, or equivalent combination.
•  Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the Eurasia region in general and Ukraine in particular.
•  Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
•  Demonstrated experience working with US Government funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
•  Experience with non-US Government funded projects and familiarity for diverse donor regulations and processes preferred.
• 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.
•  Demonstrated ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, other funders or relevant audiences.
•  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.
•  Ability to travel to new and challenging environments.
•  Working knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian preferred.

Application instructions