Resident Program Director, Burma

Join Our Team as a Resident Program Director, Burma at the International Republican Institute (IRI)!

ABOUT IRI 

The International Republican Institute (IRI) advances democracy and freedom. We link people with their governments, support politicians to be responsive to citizens, and motivate those citizens to engage in the political process. 

At IRI, every employee plays a crucial role in advancing our mission across the globe. We’re looking for passionate individuals who embody our Core Values and are eager to contribute to our dynamic team. Our values include: 

• Excellence: We deliver quality results by investing in our people. 

• Freedom: We embrace exploration and experimentation to stay agile and responsive. 

• Respect: We trust, empathize, and empower each other. 

• Teamwork: We value diversity, inclusion, and the power of global collaboration. 

• Transparency: We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. 

• Accountability: Personal responsibility is the foundation of our success. 

The International Republican Institute is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds. 

ABOUT THE TEAM: ASIA-PACIFIC 

IRI’s Asia-Pacific team is dedicated to promoting participatory, democratic societies that are transparent, accountable and inclusive, where all individuals are empowered to exercise their liberties and rights freely.  Countries across the Asia region are affected by democratic deficits that manifest in the form of weak institutions, lack of representation and weak democratic culture. IRI’s Asia programs seek to address these democratic deficits through targeted programs in individual countries and through cross-regional programs that will strengthen connections and knowledge among the region’s democratic actors.  

The structure of the Asia-Pacific Division into three regional teams – South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia & Pacific – enables both impactful country program implementation and opportunities for collaboration across the entire division. In the three decades since IRI began working in Asia, our presence in the region has expanded to include programs in 24 countries, and field offices in Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka, Dili, Islamabad, Jakarta, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur, Malé, Seoul, Suva, Taipei and Ulaanbaatar. In addition to its expansive field presence, IRI has a team of experts based at its headquarters in Washington, DC to collaboratively support the implementation of its various projects.      

THE ROLE: RESIDENT PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BURMA 

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. 

KEY 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.

Note: This post is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required in this role. Further details of the role will be shared during the recruitment process. 

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR 

We seek a passionate and experienced individual with: 

• 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.

IRI TOTAL COMPENSATION 

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $101,729 to $162,767 USD. 

The salary for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education and other business needs along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are made based on the aforementioned considerations. 

WE OFFER 

An empathetic and dedicated work environment with generous benefits that demonstrates IRI’s commitment to all dimensions of employee wellness, including: 

• Health and Wellness Support: Significant coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance costs. Meaningful assistance programs through an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP), and access to Headspace, a mental health support app. 

• Long-term Financial Health: Retirement plan with generous 10% employer contribution (vested after 6 months) 

• Hybrid and Flexible Work: Hybrid and telework options, compressed work schedules, monthly meeting-free Tuesdays, and Flex Fridays observed across the Institute. Workplace flexibility stipend of $200/month for DC area employees through payroll. 

• Time Off: Company-paid holidays, parental leave, generous vacation, sick, and personal leave days. 

• Family Support: Back-up dependent care through Care.com, Dependent Care FSA 

• Learning and Development Opportunities: Annual allowance for professional development courses and seminars, including language training, and access to world-class E-Learning via eCornell. Graduate Student Loan Repayment Program available to eligible full-time employees after 1 year of employment.  

• Compensation Equity: Regular competitive review of internal and external equity to ensure fairness in pay for employees working in similar jobs requiring comparable knowledge, skills, and experience.  

Benefits, professional development, and flexibility offerings may vary based on employment classification and location. Please visit our website to learn more about our benefits offerings. 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS – RESUME, COVER LETTER, REFERENCES 

In your application, please include a copy of your most up-to-date resume along with a cover letter that outlines your background and explains why you are interested in this opportunity. Additionally, please include the contact details of at least 2-3 professional references. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact your references before the final interview. 

Salary : $101,729 - $162,767