International Republican Institute

Position description

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Mexico to provide regional and country analysis.
• Serves as the official senior IRI representative in assigned country, developing credibility with and maintaining good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including 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.
• Oversees the implementation of all program activities oversees ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives.
• Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationship 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 countries 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, finance, work plan development and presentation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, business development and knowledge management in their country of assignment.
• Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Understands a grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements.
• Oversees the implementation of all program activities in Mexico 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
• At least seven years professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs and legislative bodies and officials.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the Latin America and Caribbean region, with particular focus on Mexico.
• Fluency in Spanish and English.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills in both English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff across various cities and remotely.
• Demonstrated experience working with USG funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
• Demonstrated financial management experience in developing and administering multiple 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.
• Willingness to live and work in a challenging environment.

Application instructions