Resident Program Director, Burma (based in Taipei, Taiwan)

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.

IRI seeks candidates to direct its Burma program, which operates remotely from the IRI regional office in Taipei, Taiwan. The Resident Program Director (RPD) is responsible for IRI’s programmatic, personnel, outreach, and accounting for the Burma program. The RPD will oversee a range of programming that supports civic actors working to strengthen the pro-democracy movement and build a more inclusive and responsive federal democracy in Burma. In consultation with IRI/Washington (HQ), the RPD designs and implements a long-range strategy for IRI programs in Burma, manages budgets and is responsible for compliance with local laws and regulations governing current funding.

Position Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, or related field; advanced degree preferred.
• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in the field of democracy and political processes strengthening in politically oriented field operations in emerging democracies, including several years in a complex managerial-level position.
• At least five years of experience with USAID-funded programs and familiarity with USAID’s objectives, approaches, and operations, as well as USG regulations and processes.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history, and culture of Burma and/or Southeast Asia.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated management experience, including the ability to motivate and manage staff in complex operating environments.
• Demonstrated financial management experience in developing and administering program budgets in accordance with organization and funder regulations.
• 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 an 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 regularly to varied locations within Asia for donor and partner engagement.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities

• Serves as the official senior IRI representative on Burma, developing credibility with and maintaining good relationships with all relevant stakeholders, including program partners, donor agencies, and U.S. and foreign diplomats.
• 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.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Burma to provide regional and country analysis.
• Participates in the substantive design of new programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas.
• Oversees the implementation of all program activities, ensuring consistency with grant workplans and objectives.
• Establishes and maintains productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field, and HQ staff.
• Oversees all operations related to the IRI’s Burma field operations and ensures IRI is compliant with local laws regarding IRI’s legal status in Taiwan and employment of expatriate and local staff.
• Supervises field office staff, including participating in the hiring, professional development and evaluation process for these staff. Sets specific goals and provides ongoing performance feedback.
• Mentors field office staff in program development, finance, workplan development and presentation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, business development and knowledge management in their country of assignment**.**
• Monitors and approves field office budgets and expenses, in collaboration with HQ program staff and the Regional Project Accountant, to ensure that expenditures remain within budget allocations.
• Ensures adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans, including the monitoring of programs and evaluation/analysis of program results.
• Leads or contributes significantly to sections of quarterly, semi-annual, final, and other relevant reports for funders.
• Anticipates potential problems, troubleshoots project problems, offers solutions, and actively resolves them with creative and immediate solutions.
• Leads business development efforts, including identifying and seeking out potential new or additional funding sources with real-time cost estimates for proposal budgets and/or the development of new program ideas, coordinating with HQ staff.
• Actively supports IRI’s communication strategy, including IRI’s branding and outreach plans on projects assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Political Science or related field.

Preferred

Masters or better in International Studies or related field.

Experience

Required

10 years: • A minimum of ten years of professional experience in the field of democracy and political processes strengthening in politically oriented field operations in emerging democracies, including several years in a complex managerial-level position. • At least five years of experience with USAID-funded programs and familiarity with USAID’s objectives, approaches, and operations, as well as USG regulations and processes.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)