Resident Program Manager – Mali At International Republican Institute

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 RPM will be based in Bamako, Mali, and will work closely with the Washington, D.C. program team to manage and implement the newly awarded Mali and Chad programs. The RPM will be responsible for closely monitoring and analyzing political and economic developments in countries of responsibility – namely Mali and Chad – and contributing to program ideas and business develop efforts to expand the portfolio. S/he will also identify program partners and develop and maintain close relationships with them and with donors. This position will report directly to Washington, D.C., but will be based in IRI’s Bamako office. As a result, this position will be required to coordinate at times with the Mali Field Office Team including the Program Director responsible for the Sahel and Littoral West regional programs on financial and monitoring and evaluation projects.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field and a minimum of six years professional experience in democratic governance and politics.
• At least 5 years in project management, project design, and monitoring & evaluation, preferably working directly on institution strengthening, civil society capacity building, marginalized populations’ inclusion, preventing/countering violent extremism, anti-corruption, elections, etc. and with a demonstrated experience in overseeing and managing subawards to local partners.
• Demonstrated experience in business development and developing innovative programming.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history, and culture of sub-Saharan Africa. Specific knowledge of Sahel and West Africa’s littoral states required.
• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, other donors 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 needs.
• Extensive experience working with USG funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes – specifically with NED, the Department of State, and USAID.
• Strong knowledge and past experience of financial management and oversight.
• Willingness to live and work in a rapidly evolving and challenging political environment
• Willingness to travel, including on short notice, required.
• Prior practical experience/position in Sahel strongly preferred.
• French language (specifically spoken) is required.

Primary Functions and Responsibilities:

• Monitors, analyzes, and reports on political and related developments in countries of the portfolio to provide regional and country analysis.
• Serves as an IRI point of contact in Bamako for the Mali and Chad specific projects and, for the other projects, collaborates with the Mali-based Program Director, developing credibility with and maintaining good relationships with relevant stakeholders, including U.S. and foreign diplomats and donor agencies, host-country government representatives, and program partners in the field and Washington, D.C.
• Undertakes direct oversight (program implementation, procurement, financial matters) of the Mali and Chad specific project and of future projects TBD.
• In collaboration with the Field PO and MEL Officer, provides guidance to and oversees IRI’s local partners for country/ies of portfolio.
• Supports the implementation of program activities of the portfolio in collaboration of the Field Team’s PO, MEL Officer, and junior staff, ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives and adherence to program monitoring and evaluation plans.
• In coordination with the Washington, D.C. program team, is responsible for the development and compilation of technical products related to projects’ activities (activity content design, activity reports, field assessments, M&E processes and follow-up, etc.), ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives and in full compliance with Funder and IRI policies and requirements.
• In collaboration with the Washington, D.C. program team, designs long-range and annual plans for regional and country-specific programs based on analysis of country, regional, and thematic trends.
• Supports business development efforts, including identifying and seeking out potential new or additional sources of funding and/or the development of new program ideas, in coordination with other program staff.
• Participates in the substantive design of new programs (proposal writing, etc.) in Mali and Chad and any other business opportunities as assigned.
• Contributes to professional development and evaluation process for local staff in collaboration with the Program Director.
• Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight, as well as a grant’s substantive, financial and compliance requirements.
• Provides information and contributes to sections of quarterly, semi-annual, final, and other relevant reports for donors.
• With the Washington, D.C. team and the Program Director, contributes to communications efforts to increase IRI’s programming’s visibility and reputation towards donors and domestic stakeholders.
• Anticipates potential problems, troubleshoots project problems, and actively develops creative and time-sensitive solutions.
• Contributes to weekly reports to send to Washington, D.C.
• Performs other duties as assigned.