Advisor, Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence

Job Details

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.

The International Republican Institute’s Center for Global Impact is designed to help IRI learn, innovate, and lead in global democratic development programming. Comprised of experts specializing in a range of technical areas and program staff who oversee global and cross-cutting initiatives, the Center leads the Institute’s efforts to contribute to thought leadership, respond to emerging global challenges and trends, facilitate global initiatives, and serve as an incubator for new ideas and cutting-edge approaches.

The Advisor, Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence, will provide strategic and operational advice, research, and analysis on authoritarian and other malign foreign influence and interference, with a focus on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Advisor, in collaboration with leadership, will play a key role in developing strategic partnerships as well as representing and increasing awareness of IRI on assigned topics within government, think tank, non-profit, and private sector communities. The Advisor will contribute to and lead the Center’s involvement on developing innovative, responsive program approaches and tools for the Institute.

IRI will consider full-time or part-time opportunities for this position.

Position Requirements

• Graduate degree in international relations, political science, government, international development or related field.
• 8-10 years related experience, or equivalent combination, in politics/government, think tank/academia, or international development.
• Advanced knowledge of CCP foreign malign influence operations and familiarity with the political, democracy and governance sector.
• Deep expertise on China, with advanced language capability in Mandarin preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of the various methodologies employed by the CCP over time to carry out influence operations.
• Experience researching and analyzing foreign influence operations conducted by the CCP and designing effective policy and programmatic approaches to expose, counter, and mitigate their impact in third country contexts.
• Excellent writing, communications, and presentation skills.
• Strong ability to initiate, foster, interact, and maintain relationships with contacts and stakeholders in a diverse and multicultural environment, with sensitivity respect, discretion, tact, and professionalism.
• Experience writing effective proposals and reports.
• Knowledge of USG funding regulations and processes.
• Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to shifting priorities.

• Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentially regarding all aspects of work.

• Ability to conduct outreach for fundraising and promotion purposes.

• Experience identifying complex problems and developing creative solutions.

• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet Institutional needs

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

External Engagement & Business Development

Analyzes trends, policies, and conducts research for a portfolio on topics in the democracy, rights and governance sector, specifically on CCP and other malign authoritarian influence and interference, and utilize that information to inform and publicize IRI’s experiences, approaches, and results through various mediums.

• Supports the Senior Advisor to provide IRI with technical expertise and assistance in developing program ideas and activities for emerging projects on topics specifically related to authoritarian and other malign foreign influence and interference, particularly that undertaken by the CCP, and its impact on democracy and governance.
• In coordination with the Senior Advisor, proactively engages in outreach and branding opportunities to increase IRI as a thought leader in the community, including through speaking appearances.
• Publishes and/or co-authors op-eds, blogs, and other written articles to demonstrate IRI’s thought leadership and technical areas of expertise on countering foreign authoritarian influence, both in US and foreign outlets.
• Supports the Senior Advisor and Senior Director to develop and cultivate strong contacts with key stakeholders in the DRG and international development/foreign policy/think tank community, particularly on technical or global areas of IRI’s work assigned.
• In coordination with the Senior Advisor and Senior Director, identifies and pursues new business development opportunities on CCP foreign influence and develops strong professional relationships with potential donors and partners.
• Identifies and seeks opportunities for him/herself and other IRI staff to participate in global and thematic events and initiatives, including speaking events and global conferences.

Internal Engagement, Technical Support, and Program Management

• Lead proposal development efforts for the Institute and for Regional Division managed grants on assigned portfolio.
• Contribute to the development and promotion of products, resources, and tools that are used by staff, donors, and partners, and used for program development and outreach purposes.
• Oversee the management and implementation of any grants/projects on the assigned portfolio.
• Fully understand assigned grant’s substantive, financial, and compliance requirements and ensures that assigned grants are completed on time, within budget, and in full compliance.
• Oversee and lead efforts to monitor and evaluate efforts for grants assigned, to include ensuring submission of high quality quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders.
• Conduct and coordinate Institute-wide outreach, both building and maintaining global networks and contacts related to resurgent authoritarian influence, bolstering the resilience of democratic institutions, and other issues.
• Establish, maintain, and develop productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field and DC staff.
• Assist with supervision and professional development of staff assigned to the portfolio, including contributing to evaluation process and providing ongoing performance feedback.
• Travel as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.