Program Officer – Baghdad

[Baghdad,Iraq ]

The Program Officer (PO) is responsible for implementing elements of IRI’s grant funded program(s). S/he is responsible for planning and implementing activities within assigned elements of the program. S/he monitors program progress and ensures the achievement of key benchmarks, including funder required indicators. S/he closely monitors and analyzes political and economic developments in Iraq. S/he also develops and maintains working relationships with stakeholders, beneficiaries and contractors related to his/her portfolio. Program and Financial Management ·       Develop detailed work plans to meet program objectives, with oversight and direction from the Program Manager (PM). ·       Organize program activities, including but not limited to meetings, workshops, public events and seminars. Develop workshop materials, and, with support from the PM, serve as a workshop trainer and/or facilitator. ·       Contribute to activity budgeting and spending forecasts. ·       Contribute to relevant procurement tools and resulting contracts and sub-awards. ·       Coordinate and oversee the coordination of domestic and international travel for self, IRI staff and trainers/consultants. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning ·       Maintain records of program results as per relevant monitoring and evaluation guidance, including but not limited to stakeholder contact information, key issues discussed and decisions made. ·       Implement program monitoring and evaluation plans with direction from the M&E team and PM. ·       Participate in regular sessions with program teams on collaborative learning and adaptive management. ·       Contribute to IRI Iraq’s weekly programmatic and donor required reporting.  Relationship Management and Outreach ·       Maintain and cultivate relationships with key IRI program stakeholders and political influencers. ·       Contribute to the political discussions relevant to IRI’s program; stay abreast of political developments within Iraq. ·       Submit regular communications content, inclusive of program reporting, analytical writing and social media content. Administration ·       Assist with written or oral translation when necessary; oversee written or oral translation conducted by other IRI staff or contractors. ·       Reconcile all program and travel expenses on time; keep detailed records of IRI expenditures based on IRI regulations and guidance from the operations team. ·       Submit accurate timesheets on time. ·       Other duties as assigned.

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field required; Graduate degree preferred.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with political parties, civil society organizations/NGOs or legislative bodies, or equivalent combination is required. Incumbents of positions at this level are expected to perform complex duties with a minimum of supervision.
• Knowledge of Iraqi political history and structure required. Existing network of relationships within politics preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with UK Government funded projects and familiarity with HMG/UK regulations and processes required, experience with US Government funded projects desirable.
• Experience with program management, implementation and basic accounting required.
• Professional fluency in English and Arabic required.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Willingness to travel domestically as needed.
• Commitment to non-partisanship and non-sectarianism required.

This position will be based in Baghdad and will require periodic domestic travel, sometimes frequently. Positions are open for Iraqi nationals only.

 To be considered, please email the following documents to [email protected] with the job title in the subject line:

• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Names and contact information for 2-3 professional references

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Only finalists will be contacted.

Established in April 1983, IRI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to advancing freedom and democracy worldwide by helping political parties to become more issue-based and responsive, assisting citizens to participate in government planning, and working to increase the role of marginalized groups in the political process – including women and youth. We are headquartered in Washington D.C. with 32 field offices and over 385 staff worldwide and have been working in Iraq since 2003.

IRI is a 501(c)(3) and receives funding through grants from the U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, the National Endowment for Democracy, a number of European foundations and aid agencies and other Western countries, and the United Nations. We do not receive any money from the Republican Party or any other U.S. partisan entity.  Read more at www.iri.org.

Any resulting position offer will be conditional on the awarding of the project.