Project Specialist

International Republican Institute • Washington, DC

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

The International Republican Institute (IRI) advances democracy and freedom by linking people with their governments, supporting politicians to be responsive to citizens, and motivating citizens to engage in the political process. Every employee plays a crucial role in advancing IRI's mission across the globe. IRI is looking for passionate individuals who embody its Core Values: Respect, Teamwork, Ownership, Excellence through Execution, Transparency, and Freedom. The Project Delivery Team (PDT) provides critical project management and operational expertise to IRI, supporting project implementation and integrating the input of technical and regional experts. The PDT ensures consistency, technical quality, and the overall impact of projects and project operations/workflows, while also piloting new processes and systems for scalable growth. The Project Specialist will be based in the PDT and work closely with regional program teams to provide support to project delivery as assigned. This is a hybrid position located in Washington, DC, requiring at least 3 days per week in the office.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in public policy, political science, international relations, or related field.
• Minimum three years’ professional experience in project implementation or administrative coordination.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, including ability to track timelines, deliverables and documentation across multiple projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Experience working with U.S. Government-funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes.
• Experience with program management, program implementation, and basic accounting necessary to draft and oversee a budget.
• Ability to liaise effectively with internal teams and external partners.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of a team across departments or with external partners.
• Comfortable in fast-paced environments and able to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Ability to travel occasionally, including new and challenging environments.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working on democracy and governance programs is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Supports, and in select cases oversees, implementation of specific projects and associated activities under the supervision of the Project Delivery Team lead and in close collaboration with the relevant Regional teams.
• Under direction of the PDT and Program Managers, leads project kick-off and set up processes.
• Maintains an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Understands and ensures alignment with and adherence to grants’ substantive, financial, and compliance requirements.
• In coordination with regional teams, advances the logistical and administrative aspects of project delivery and implementation, including but not limited to travel, logistics, venue selection, participant communication, material preparation and similar.
• In coordination with relevant staff, monitors budget and project expenditures to ensure that IRI projects remain within budget allocations, that expenses are properly projected and proactively flags potential concerns or issues.
• Supports monitoring and evaluation efforts for grants assigned.
• Works with regional teams to support the development of high quality quarterly, semi-annual, final, and other relevant reports for funders.
• Supports proposal package development including drafting or reviewing sections and compiling related documentation, as assigned.
• Helps oversee workloads and tasks of Project Associate, as assigned.
• Anticipates potential problems and offers solutions.
• Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

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