Senior Program Officer, Human Rights & Policy

International Republican Institute•San Jose, CA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Program Officer, Human Rights & Policy (SPO) is responsible for day-to-day program coordination and supports the design and implementation of capacity-building activities, multi-stakeholder working groups, policy research and analysis, and engagement with civil society, government officials, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders. The role also contributes to monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), program reporting, activity logistics, and donor and IRI compliance. Based in San José, Costa Rica, the SPO supports IRI programming focused on human rights, particularly Freedom of Religion (FoR) and Transnational Repression (TNR). The SPO works closely with IRI program staff, local partners, stakeholders, and technical experts to support effective implementation, compliance, and achievement of program objectives. The position may include periodic travel; work authorization for Costa Rica is required.

Requirements

Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations, law, public policy, human rights, or a related field.
Minimum five to seven years of relevant professional experience in program management, human rights, public policy, democratic governance, rule of law, or related areas.
Demonstrated experience implementing programs and coordinating activities involving civil society organizations, government institutions, policymakers, legal professionals, or other relevant stakeholders.
Experience conducting research and analysis and developing policy recommendations, reports, briefs, assessments, or other analytical products.
Demonstrated experience in human rights, including protection mechanisms and documenting human rights violations and abuses.
Experience organizing and facilitating trainings, consultations, workshops, or multi-stakeholder processes.
Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
Excellent written and oral communication skills in Spanish.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Work authorization for Costa Rica.
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and regionally as required.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree.
Familiarity with Freedom of Religion (FoR), Transnational Repression (TNR), and related policy and legal issues.
Experience with program monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
Professional proficiency in English.
Knowledge and understanding of the political, institutional, and human rights context in Costa Rica and/or Central America.

Responsibilities

Support planning, day-to-day coordination, implementation, and monitoring of assigned program activities in Costa Rica, including workplans, activity content and materials, participant outreach, logistics, and regular communications.
Support the organization and facilitation of a multi-stakeholder working group, including preparing agendas and background materials, coordinating participants, documenting recommendations, and following up on actions.
Establish and maintain productive relationships with civil society organizations, government officials and institutions, legal practitioners, human rights actors, international organizations, and other stakeholders.
Monitor and analyze political, human rights, policy, legal, and institutional developments to inform program strategy and implementation.
Conduct research and comparative analysis of policy and institutional approaches to TNR and assess gaps in prevention, protection, coordination, and response mechanisms.
Engage state entities and government stakeholders to gather input, strengthen coordination, and contribute to policy recommendations, briefs, protection protocols, referral pathways, advocacy materials, and other program products.
Support the design, adaptation, and implementation of capacity-building activities for program partners and stakeholders.
Identify and coordinate with expert consultants and technical specialists as needed.
Coordinate with specialized legal experts on activities involving evidence preservation, case building, strategic litigation, and domestic, regional, or international accountability mechanisms.
Support MEL efforts, including developing and using data collection tools, collecting and analyzing program data and participant feedback, and documenting results and lessons learned.
Draft and contribute to program reports, activity reports, donor reports, briefing materials, and other program documentation.
Ensure activities comply with applicable IRI and donor policies and procedures, including programmatic and financial requirements.
Represent IRI at meetings, consultations, roundtables, and other relevant events, as appropriate.
Contribute to developing new program ideas aligned with IRI’s areas of expertise.
Travel within Costa Rica and regionally as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.