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 Senior Director for Africa serves as a subject matter expert, conducts country-specific and cross-regional analysis, and develops an integrated strategy for the Africa region. The Senior Director represents IRI with key stakeholder audiences in Africa, Washington D.C. and globally, and coordinates closely with all functional and regional divisions across the Institute to advance IRI's core democracy mission. He/she identifies new business development opportunities and develops strong professional relationships with potential donors and partners. He/she proactively engages in outreach and branding opportunities to increase IRI as a thought leader on all matters relating to the future of democracy in Africa. Consistent with IRI's Flexibility in the Workplace Policy, this is a Washington, DC-based position.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
• Graduate degree in related field required.
• Demonstrated expertise working in the Africa region on democracy and governance issues with expert understanding of politics, economics, history and culture of the region.
• Ten or more years' experience serving as an IRI Regional Director or equivalent experience and level of responsibility in equivalent level position.
• Advanced knowledge of politics, democracy and governance sector; experience working with or within political and government systems.
• Strong written and oral communications and presentation skills in English.
• Ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, donors, partners or relevant audiences.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet regional needs.
• Proven knowledge of USG funding regulations, and familiarity with international NGO interlocutors.
• Experience identifying complex problems and developing creative solutions.
• Willingness to travel to remote and sometime difficult countries. Anticipated travel is approximately is 25% based on business need.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

Internal Outreach and Leadership

• Develops and leads the implementation of an integrated strategy for democratic development utilizing consistent program approaches and methodologies on key regional issues. Oversees and provides oversight for development and implementation of select programs based on his/her expert understanding of democratic development in Africa. Individual is responsible for overseeing the management and achievement of programmatic targets.
• Responsible for the financial stewardship of USG funds and the achievement of financial targets in full compliance with IRI and funder requirements.
• Coordinates and maintains strong collaborative relationships with regional and functional divisions across the Institute. A specific focus will include IRI's Center for Global Impact, Center for Insights in Survey Research, and Women's Democracy Network.
• Identifies opportunities for him/herself and other IRI staff to participate in thematic events and initiatives including speaking events and conferences.
• Contributes to program design and development of proposals within the Africa region and on crosscutting global themes, such as political parties and election integrity, when appropriate. Will actively support the achievement of defined business development goals.
• Contributes to staff development and promotion of products, resources and tools utilized by staff, donors and partners and used for program development and outreach purposes.
• Will effectively lead and manage Division staff including direct supervision of Subregional Directors for West and Central Africa and East and Southern Africa, along with select others.
• Supports recruiting efforts and provides orientation and ongoing mentoring for staff. Identifies potential new training needs and opportunities to enrich staff performance and support professional development.
• Maintains an understanding of donor and IRI policies and procedures to provide effective oversight and ensures grant and financial compliance.
• Monitors proposal and reporting development and submission process to ensure complete, accurate, and timely proposal and reporting submissions for select projects.

External Outreach and Leadership

• Represents IRI with key stakeholder audiences. This may include USG and affiliated representatives in Washington, DC as well as, but not limited to, Africa region government officials (at all levels), African Union and other regional multilateral representatives and U.S. Congress.
• Represents IRI with think-tank and policy-analysis community in Washington and Africa, and advances IRI media strategies with key audiences in the most significant languages of the region.
• Serves as a thought leader on U.S.-supported DNG initiatives with key audiences.
• Conducts research and gathers information on key issues facing Africa, including but not limited to democratic political competition, election integrity, marginalized communities' inclusion and women's empowerment, disinformation and hybrid warfare, fighting corruption and responding to foreign authoritarian and malign influence.
• Identifies new business development opportunities and develops strong professional relationships with potential donors and partners.
• Proactively engages in outreach and branding opportunities to increase IRI as a thought leader on all matters relating to democracy in Africa.
• Publishes and/or co-authors Op-Eds, blogs, and other written articles and engages Congressional audiences, including delivering congressional testimony, to demonstrate IRI's thought leadership and expertise on democratic development in Africa.

Masters of Political Science (required)
Bachelors of Political Science (required)

10 years: Ten or more years' experience serving as an IRI Regional Director or equivalent experience and level of responsibility in equivalent level position. Advanced knowledge of politics, democracy and governance sector; experience working with or within political and government systems. Demonstrated expertise working in the Africa region on democracy and governance issues with expert understanding of politics, economics, history and culture of the region. Graduate degree in related field required. (required)