Project Associate

Washington DC 1225 I St, NW Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005, USA Join Our Team as a Project Associate at the International Republican Institute (IRI) Closing Date: July 16, 2026

ABOUT IRI

The International Republican Institute (IRI) advances democracy and freedom. We link people with their governments, support politicians to be responsive to citizens, and motivate those citizens to engage in the political process. At IRI, every employee plays a crucial role in advancing our mission across the globe. We’re looking for passionate individuals who embody our Core Values and are eager to contribute to our dynamic team. Our values include: Respect: We lead with trust, empathy, and dignity; empowering colleagues and partners. Teamwork: We collaborate across teams; solve problems together; are humble and ready to learn. Ownership: We take initiative; champion solutions; deliver results for IRI’s mission. Excellence through Execution: We balance thoughtfulness with timeliness; learn from results; prioritize progress over perfection. Transparency: We share information openly; give direct feedback; build trust through honest communication. Freedom: We are empowered to make decisions, try new approaches, and adapt as needed. ABOUT THE TEAM & ROLE: PROJECT DELIVERY TEAM – PROJECT ASSOCIATE The International Republican Institute’s Project Delivery Team (PDT) provides critical project management and operational expertise to the Institute. They support project implementation in addition to integrating the input of IRI’s technical and regional experts. The PDT ensures consistency, technical quality, and the overall impact of projects and project operations/workflows. This team also plays a pivotal role in our organizational evolution, piloting new processes and systems for scalable growth. The Project Associate is an early-career position for program work at IRI and provides administrative and programmatic support for current and developing programs. This position is located in Washington, DC. The Project Associate is expected to work in-office at least three days per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supports proposal package development including drafting or reviewing sections and compiling related documentation, as assigned. Supports project kick-off and set up processes. Provides general project management support including developing and tracking work plans, monitoring deadlines and deliverables, and other relevant project-related tasks. Supports 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. Tracks and follows-up on pending procurement requests, approvals and monitoring once approved. Supports completion and submission of contract packages. Liaises with vendors and contractors to support project goals and deliverables. Maintains budget trackers and liaises with relevant staff to manage and update project budget forecasts based on expected and planned expenses. Supports drafting and completion of quarterly, semi-annual, final and other relevant reports for funders. Enters data into trackers and tools related to activities and results. Maintains project site and documents. Provides logistical support for meetings and events. Supports staff in the PDT to achieve programmatic objectives and complete deliverables. Performs other duties as assigned. Note: This post is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required in this role. Further details of the role will be shared during the recruitment process.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We seek a passionate and experienced individual with: Undergraduate degree in political science, international relations or related field. Minimum one year of professional work experience, including administrative/project support roles. Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel, Word and PowerPoint; ability to learn new digital tools or platforms quickly. Strong writing, research and communication skills with attention to detail. Highly organized and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and work both independently and collaboratively.

IRI TOTAL COMPENSATION

The anticipated compensation range for this position is $24/hour to $28/hour USD. The pay for this position is determined based on a wide variety of factors including but not limited to an individual’s professional experience, qualifications, education and other business needs along with internal equity considerations. Employees are not typically hired at the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are made based on the aforementioned considerations.

WE OFFER

Health and Wellness Support : 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). Long-term Financial Health: Retirement plan with generous employer contribution (vested after 12 months). Hybrid and Flexible Work: Hybrid and telework options. Time Off: Company-paid holidays, parental leave, generous vacation, sick, and personal leave days. Family Support: Dependent Care FSA Learning and Development Opportunities: Annual allowance for professional development courses and seminars along with access to world-class e-learning via eCornell. Compensation Equity: 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. Benefits, professional development, and flexibility offerings may vary based on employment classification and location. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS – RESUME, COVER LETTER, REFERENCES In your application, please include a copy of your most up-to-date resume along with a cover letter that outlines your background and explains why you are interested in this opportunity. Additionally, please include the contact details of at least 2-3 professional references. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact your references before the final interview. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor. #J-18808-Ljbffr (IRI) International Republican Institute