Program Manager for Global Elections

International Republican Institute

9h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Program Manager for Global Elections oversees the implementation of IRI’s elections portfolio and supports other global initiatives as needed. The role is responsible for managing election-related grants and programs across their full lifecycle; providing analytical, operational, and technical support to elections programming; and coordinating closely with internal teams, donors, and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality, timely, and compliant delivery of elections-related work and other global initiatives as assigned across the Institute.

This position is located in Washington, DC. The Program Manager for Global Elections is expected to work in-office at least three days per week. This position requires 30% or more travel, depending on organizational needs.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, public policy, or a related field; graduate coursework or degree preferred.
• Minimum five years of professional experience in democratic governance, elections, political analysis, or international development programming.
• Demonstrated experience with elections advocacy, electoral integrity issues, or election observation.
• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information clearly and accurately.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated management or supervisory experience, including the ability to motivate and manage staff.
• Extensive experience managing U.S. government–funded projects and familiarity with relevant regulations and grant compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience developing and managing program budgets.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills in English; proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic preferred but not required.
• Ability to work professionally and diplomatically with senior leaders, international stakeholders, and delegation groups in politically sensitive contexts.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to challenging or high-risk environments, as required.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate coursework or degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Spanish, French, or Arabic preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to the design of new election-related programs and global initiatives.
• Oversee the full lifecycle management of an assigned grant portfolio, ensuring achievement of substantive program objectives and compliance with financial, contractual, procurement, and funder requirements.
• Monitor program budgets, expenditures, and financial controls, in coordination with Project Delivery and Program Services teams.
• Lead program kick-off and close-out processes, ensuring timely completion of deliverables and required documentation.
• Anticipate implementation risks and proactively troubleshoot programmatic, operational, or compliance challenges.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of IRI and donor policies relevant to grant management and compliance.
• Supervise staff assigned to the portfolio, including participation in recruitment, goal setting, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Serve as a primary point of coordination with regional teams, operational units, consultants, and external partners involved in elections programming.
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives and working groups supporting Institute-wide priorities.
• Draft technical sections, annexes, and supporting documentation for election-related proposals in coordination with the Director, Global Elections.
• Prepare donor reports, briefing notes, and internal updates, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and adherence to funder requirements and timelines.
• Contribute elections-related analysis and programmatic input to business development efforts.
• Monitor and analyze electoral and political developments across assigned countries and regions.
• Conduct background research and thematic analysis on electoral systems, election administration, campaign finance, and political contexts.
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data and field findings into internal and external analytical products.
• Support the planning, preparation, and implementation of international election observation missions and electoral assessments.
• Develop work plans, briefing materials, reference tools, and observer guidance to support standardized election observation methodologies.
• Support real-time and post-election analysis, reporting, and follow-up processes.
• Coordinate engagement with election observation delegations, serving as a professional point of contact before and during missions.
• Manage delegation communications, schedules, and information flow in politically sensitive environments.
• Participate in short-term or long-term election observation activities, including international travel as appropriate.
• Support additional global democracy and governance initiatives as needed, including work related to the Women’s Democracy Network (WDN), religious freedom, fundamental liberties, countering foreign authoritarian influence, technology and democracy, and other cross-cutting priorities.
• Track program timelines, deliverables, budgets, and documentation to support effective implementation and institutional memory.
• Maintain organized files, trackers, and reference materials related to elections programming and global initiatives.
• Coordinate internal workflows related to election observation missions and other discrete global initiatives.

Benefits

• Significant coverage of health, dental, and vision insurance costs.
• Meaningful assistance programs through an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) and Rula (access to mental health experts).
• Retirement plan with generous employer contribution (vested after 12 months).
• Hybrid and telework options.
• Company-paid holidays, parental leave, generous vacation, sick, and personal leave days.
• Dependent Care FSA
• Annual allowance for professional development courses and seminars along with access to world-class E-Learning via eCornell.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees