Resident Program Director – Hareisa, Somalia

International Republican Institute - IRI

Resident Program Director – Hareisa, Somalia

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 Resident Program Director (RPD) is responsible for all programmatic, personnel, outreach and accounting matters and is the public face of IRI in Somalia and Somaliland. The RPD will oversee IRI programming in the areas of political party strengthening, civil society, legislative strengthening and elections-related activities. In addition, the RPD monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Somalia and Somaliland to provide regional and country analysis, as well as inform programmatic adaptations. In consultation with IRI/Washington, the RPD designs and implements a long-range strategy for IRI programs in the country, manages budgets and is responsible for compliance with local laws and /regulations governing current funding. The RPD would lead new business and capture efforts to secure additional funding in Somalia and/or Somaliland.

The RPD will be based in Mogadishu, Somalia pending permitted travel in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Position Requirements

  • Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
  • Five to seven years professional experience in international development programming in the areas of democratic governance and politics
  • Experience working in Sub-Saharan Africa, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society and/or legislative bodies.
  • Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the region, particularly Somalia and neighboring countries.
  • Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated management experience including ability to motivate and manage staff.
  • Demonstrated experience working with USG funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes, especially USAID and U.S Department of State.
  • Demonstrated experience leading business development and capture efforts.
  • Demonstrated financial management experience in developing and administering program budgets.
  • Ability to prepare, present and negotiate complex and sensitive agreements and/or project proposals with prime organizations, subgrantees, 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, security permitting.
  • Experience living and working in a conflict-prone environment and willingness to live on a restricted compound with limited movement outside of the premises.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

  • Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Somalia to provide regional and country analysis.
  • Serves as the official senior IRI representative in country, developing credibility with and maintaining good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including USAID, U.S. and foreign diplomats and donor agencies, host-country government representatives, and program prime and sub partners.
  • Participates in the substantive design of new programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas in Somalia.
  • 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 country 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 IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight as well as assigned grants’ specific substantive, financial and compliance requirements per its respective funder.
  • Oversees the implementation of all program activities in the country ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives, reporting weekly to DC.
  • Monitors and approve 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, reviewing to ensure quality and completeness.
  • Anticipates and troubleshoots project problems and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
  • Leads business development and capture 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.
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