About International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES): IFES advances democracy for a better future. We collaborate with civil society, public institutions and the private sector to build resilient democracies that deliver for all. Our technical assistance and applied research develop trusted electoral bodies capable of conducting credible elections; effective and accountable governing institutions; civic and political processes in which all people can safely and equally participate; and innovative ways in which technology and data can positively serve elections and democracy. Since 1987, IFES has worked in more than 145 countries, from developing to mature democracies. In accordance with IFES’ approach: A society is able to reach its full potential in a world in which people of all genders are fully engaged as equal partners in their families, workplaces and communities. Based on international human rights standards and best practices, IFES promotes political participation, justice and equal rights around the world. IFES reflects these values in its programming and workplace culture.

The greatest assets of IFES are our team members. IFES offers competitive benefits and pay, as well as the opportunity to work in a dynamic and collaborative environment. Every member of the IFES team is responsible for carrying out the mission of IFES and integrating IFES values into their work every day: Commitment to Excellence, Effective Communication, High-Quality Decision-Making, Accountability, Teamwork and Collaboration.

PRIMARY FUNCTION/PURPOSE:

The Senior Program Manager is a leadership position for program work at IFES, providing management support to the program division. Specific duties will include development, technical, administrative and financial management support including briefings, recruitment, supervision, and covering when senior management is on travel and mentoring staff.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for design, implementation, evaluation, quality control, course corrections and overall management of project portfolio.
• Participate in development of the division’s strategic plan. Takes the lead in developing program priorities and initiatives for countries/regions under her/his responsibility.
• Seek out business development opportunities within overall strategic development plan of the division.
• Contribute to training initiatives within the organization, including supporting institutional objectives to develop organizational onboarding/orientation/training program.
• Serve as team lead for programmatic and donor outreach and development efforts in HQ.
• Serve as point of contact for business development efforts, ensuring deadlines and solicitation requirements are met. Substantively contribute to program design and technical writing for proposals and concept papers. Guide development of project budgets in line with technical proposals.
• Responsible for financial oversight of projects in collaboration and partnership with Finance Team. Review and approve project related payments.
• Oversee and substantively contribute to discussion with Monitoring and Evaluation team to design and determine program theory of change, logframe, and indicators. Monitor to ensure programs are meeting objectives, results and indicator targets and share experience with regional teams.
• Evaluate project progress and performance including reviewing deliverables and make recommendations where project activities may need to be adjusted based on M&E results.
• Establish, maintain and further develop relationship with field offices, peers, subordinates, HQ staff, partner organizations, funder community and consultants at large for the purpose of program implementation, business development and information dissemination.
• Travel to country offices on a regular basis to oversee/monitor project activities; and meet and strengthen relationship with donors and local partners representing both government and the non-governmental community.
• Direct, manage and supervise staff in the regular and timely development and final production of reports to funders that directly highlight program impact. Substantively contribute to program reporting.
• Serve as a supervisor and team manager. Provide professional developmental opportunities for junior program staff, , evaluate staff performance and perform the full range of supervisory duties for assigned supervisee, including employee and labor relations matters.
• Ensure contractual compliance for department managed projects, including quality and timeliness of project deliverables. Review and approve project related procurement actions.
• Alert division management of programmatic concerns, challenges and difficulties in a timely fashion and propose solutions.
• Lead and/or contribute to written technical reports, briefing papers, and IFES thought pieces, both program-specific and non-program specific.
• Oversee recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and onboarding of staff and consultants as needed.
• Lead on program portfolio including briefing directors on specific implementation or development challenges and successes. Serve as a resource on elections and political processes for assigned portfolio.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

POSITION SCOPE: Manage and/or perform technical or complex work, requiring ingenuity and capacity to evaluate and respond to new and changing issues. Contribute to program planning, development and fiscal management. Provide supervision to junior staff on IFES systems and procedures, quality of work, and skill building. Performance and outcomes are subject to senior management oversight.

DECISION MAKING/PROBLEM SOLVING: Complex decision-making requiring in-depth analysis and consensus-building, subject to management review. Consult with stakeholders within and outside the organization; identify, propose and build consensus around best solutions. Provide substantive contribution to IFES tools, methodology and best practices. Authority to make decisions on issues of program design, delegations to junior staff and financial oversight for assigned projects.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:Develop budget projections in collaboration with Finance, Program Administration, C&G and field based colleagues and independently manage allocated resources.Authority to investigate, negotiate and recommend purchases of materials, equipment and logistical arrangements. Strong knowledge of financial systems to ensure compliance.

RELATIONSHIPS: Maintain collaborative working relationships with team members and other staff within the Programs Division.Partnerships require a high degree of diplomacy and judgment, with ability to address conflicts or difficulties in a constructive manner. Represent IFES with external contacts at professional and government levels.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervise, monitor and coordinate the work of entry level and professional staff to ensure the achievement of program goals.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree required in relevant field; Master’s degree in international relations, political science, international development preferred.

EXPERIENCE: At least 10 years’ relevant experience in international development or related field. Experience with budget management and oversight of single or multiple projects. Experience with managing teams. Experience working in Pacific Island countries strongly preferred.

RELATED SKILLS OR KNOWLEDGE: Experience in proposal development required, with experience in program management and supervisory roles. Thorough familiarity with USAID and other international donor regulations and reporting requirements preferred. Detail-oriented and organized. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing. Collaborative, team-oriented individual. Experienced with Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint required.

LANGUAGE SKILSS: Fluency in written and spoken English required. 

TRAVEL: Travel up to 30% of time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office work environment, with occasional travel. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.