Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the Core Values in their day to day operations. The Core Values, which are IRI's foundational building blocks include:

Excellence- We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom- We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion and the power of global collaboration. Transparency- We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

The Resident Program Officer (RPO) works with the Resident Program Director (RPD) and Resident Program Manager (RPM) in the design and implementation of program in Sudan. The RPO supports implementation of projects, including monitoring the program budget. The RPO interacts with IRI Washington headquarters staff, U.S. and host country government officials, and program grantees.

The RPO will be based in Khartoum, Sudan pending IRI in-country registration and permitted travel in light of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field.
• 3-5 years professional experience in democratic governance and politics, preferably working directly with political parties, legislative bodies and caucuses, civil society organizations/NGOs, women, youth or persons with disabilities, or equivalent combination. Experience with the following topics strongly desired: transitional politics, conflict/post-conflict contexts, elections, coalition building, advocacy, civic/voter education, citizen engagement and/or public opinion research.
• Working knowledge of the politics, economics, history and culture of the region, particularly Sudan and neighboring countries.
• Strong oral and written communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with bilateral and/or multilateral government agencies, other donors or relevant audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program needs.
• Effective project management skills.
• Willingness to travel and live in a challenging political environment abroad.
• Experience identifying and analyzing complex problems and developing creative solutions.
• Experience with grant management and basic accounting experience necessary to draft and oversee a budget.
• Demonstrated experience working with US Government funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and processes, especially USAID.
• Language proficiency in Arabic a plus.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• In coordination with the RPD and DC-based PO, facilitates close coordination and communication with
• Monitors, analyzes and reports on political and related developments in Sudan to provide regional and country analysis.
• Supports the implementation of assigned, specific program components and activities oversees, ensuring consistency with grant work plans and objectives, reporting weekly to D.C.
• Participates in the substantive design of new programs and contributes to the development of new program ideas in Sudan and, as appropriate, South Sudan.
• Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationship with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field and DC staff.
• In coordination with RPD, oversees operations related to the IRI field presence, and ensures IRI is in compliance with local laws regarding IRI's legal status in the country and employment of local staff.
• Maintains an understanding of IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight as well as assigned grant's substantive, financial and compliance requirements.
• Monitors and approve field office budgets and expenses, in collaboration with DC program staff and the Regional Project Accountant, to ensure that expenditures remain within budget allocations.
• Monitors, analyzes and reports to DC staff on political and economic developments, and media responses.
• Ensures adherence to monitoring and evaluation plans, including the monitoring of programs and evaluation/analysis of program results.
• Provides information and contributes to sections of quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for donors.
• Anticipates and troubleshoots project problems and offers solutions and actively takes part to lead resolution of them with creative and immediate solutions.
• Contributes toward business development efforts, including identifying and seeking out potential new or additional sources of funding with real-time costs estimates for proposal budgets, and/or the development of new program ideas, coordinating with RPD, RPM and DC staff.
• Actively supports IRI's communication strategy including IRI's branding and outreach plans on projects assigned, including drafts and updates program summaries and other outreach materials, drafts web stories, tweets, etc.
• Performs other duties as assigned.