Technical Advisor, Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence, International Republican Institute, Washington, DC
International Republican Institute -
Washington, DC,
US
Technical Advisor, Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence
Date Posted: 2024-05-23
Job description
Job Summary
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 International Republican Institute's Center for Global Impact is designed to help IRI learn, innovate, and lead in global democratic development programming. Comprised of experts specializing in a range of technical areas and program staff who oversee global and cross-cutting initiatives, the Center leads the Institute's efforts to contribute to thought leadership, respond to emerging global challenges and trends, facilitate global initiatives, and serve as an incubator for new ideas and cutting-edge approaches.
The Advisor, Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence, will provide strategic and operational advice, research, and analysis on authoritarian and other malign foreign influence and interference, with a focus on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Advisor, in collaboration with leadership, will play a key role in developing strategic partnerships as well as representing and increasing awareness of IRI on assigned topics within government, think tank, non-profit, and private sector communities. The Advisor will contribute to and lead the Center's involvement in developing innovative, responsive program approaches and tools for the Institute.
IRI will consider candidates available either full-time or part-time for this position.
This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC.
Position Requirements
Primary Functions & Responsibilities
External Engagement & Business Development
Internal Engagement and Technical Support
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
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 International Republican Institute's Center for Global Impact is designed to help IRI learn, innovate, and lead in global democratic development programming. Comprised of experts specializing in a range of technical areas and program staff who oversee global and cross-cutting initiatives, the Center leads the Institute's efforts to contribute to thought leadership, respond to emerging global challenges and trends, facilitate global initiatives, and serve as an incubator for new ideas and cutting-edge approaches.
The Advisor, Countering Foreign Authoritarian Influence, will provide strategic and operational advice, research, and analysis on authoritarian and other malign foreign influence and interference, with a focus on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Advisor, in collaboration with leadership, will play a key role in developing strategic partnerships as well as representing and increasing awareness of IRI on assigned topics within government, think tank, non-profit, and private sector communities. The Advisor will contribute to and lead the Center's involvement in developing innovative, responsive program approaches and tools for the Institute.
IRI will consider candidates available either full-time or part-time for this position.
This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC.
Position Requirements
- Graduate degree in international relations, political science, government, international development, or related field.
- 8-10 years related experience, or equivalent combination, in politics/government, think tank/academia, or international development.
- Advanced knowledge of CCP foreign malign influence operations and familiarity with the political, democracy and governance sector.
- Deep expertise on China, with advanced language capability in Mandarin preferred.
- Demonstrated understanding of the various methodologies employed by the CCP over time to carry out influence operations.
- Experience researching and analyzing foreign influence operations conducted by the CCP and designing effective policy and programmatic approaches to expose, counter, and mitigate their impact in third country contexts.
- Excellent writing, communications, and presentation skills.
- Strong ability to initiate, foster, interact, and maintain relationships with contacts and stakeholders in a diverse and multicultural environment, with sensitivity respect, discretion, tact, and professionalism.
- Experience writing effective proposals and reports.
- Ability to work well under pressure and adapt to shifting priorities.
- Ability to maintain the highest degree of confidentially regarding all aspects of work.
- Ability to conduct outreach for fundraising and promotion purposes.
- Experience identifying complex problems and developing creative solutions.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet Institutional needs.
Primary Functions & Responsibilities
External Engagement & Business Development
- Analyzes trends, policies, and conducts research for a portfolio on topics in the democracy, rights and governance sector, specifically on CCP and other malign authoritarian influence and interference, and utilizes that information to inform and publicize IRI's experiences, approaches, and results through various mediums.
- Supports the Director to provide IRI with technical expertise and assistance in developing program ideas and activities for emerging projects on topics specifically related to authoritarian and other malign foreign influence and interference, particularly that undertaken by the CCP, and its impact on democracy and governance.
- In coordination with the Director, proactively engages in outreach and branding opportunities to increase IRI as a thought leader in the community, including through speaking appearances.
- Publishes and/or co-authors op-eds, blogs, and other written articles to demonstrate IRI's thought leadership and technical areas of expertise on countering foreign authoritarian influence, both in US and foreign outlets.
- Supports the Director to develop and cultivate strong contacts with key stakeholders in the DRG and international development/foreign policy/think tank community, particularly on technical or global areas of IRI's work assigned.
- In coordination with the Director, identifies and pursues new business development opportunities on CCP foreign influence and develops strong professional relationships with potential donors and partners.
- Identifies and seeks opportunities for him/herself and other IRI staff to participate in global and thematic events and initiatives, including speaking events and global conferences.
Internal Engagement and Technical Support
- Leads proposal development efforts for the Institute and for Regional Division managed grants on assigned portfolio.
- Contributes to the development and promotion of products, resources, trainings, and tools that are used by staff, donors, and partners, and used for program development and outreach purposes.
- Advances IRI staff technical understanding of CCP authoritarian influence globally by providing trainings, briefings, and consultations to IRI staff globally.
- Supports program staff colleagues in preparing and executing programmatic activities including via participant and counterpart outreach, design of activities and event agendas, and implementing programmatic activities, as assigned.
- Supports program staff colleagues in contributing to reports to funders and other internal written products, as assigned.
- Conducts and coordinates Institute-wide outreach, both building and maintaining global networks and contacts related to resurgent authoritarian influence, bolstering the resilience of democratic institutions, and other issues.
- Establishes, maintains, and develops productive working relationships with relevant stakeholders, consultants, field, and DC staff.
- Assists with supervision and professional development of staff assigned to the portfolio, including contributing to the evaluation process and providing ongoing performance feedback.
- Travels as needed for program oversight and implementation.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)