If you are looking for a career opportunity, want to give meaning to your professional achievements and contribute to making the world a better place by playing a part in international development, and are passionate about research and innovation to promote democratic and inclusive governance, the empowerment of people, gender equality integration, and the inclusion of excluded groups, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is the place for you! 

IDRC is home to people who share a passion for international development research. We look for employees who believe that knowledge and innovation can help solve the world’s most critical challenges. Guided by the values of respect, accountability and intention, IDRC fosters collaboration to create meaningful and inclusive change. Please visit our website to learn more about our work: What We Do 

Come join our team and help us build a more sustainable and inclusive world! 

Program: Democratic and Inclusive Governance 

The IDRC’s Democratic and Inclusive Governance Program funds research and innovation so that people around the world can enjoy the benefits that democracy and inclusive governance bring to everyday life. We support evidence-based research that helps people and public authorities address the causes and drivers of weak governance in a manner that promotes empowerment, gender equality and inclusion of excluded groups. 

Our employment opportunity of the moment: Senior Program Specialist* 

*Note: Candidates with less experience may be considered for appointment at the level of Senior Program Officer (Salary range: CA $106,886 - CA $132,319) 

Location: Dakar, Senegal (Hybrid Mode) 

Step into the opportunity: 

As a Senior Program Specialist, you will be joining an organization that values and models diversity, inclusion and equity while being responsible for:  

• Managing a portfolio of projects with a large degree of independence and discretion in compliance with IDRC policies. 
• Leading and contributing to the shaping of the strategic directions of the program through new knowledge, evidence use, and multi-stakeholder engagement.
• Assessing proposals, including their conceptual, methodological, operational, evaluative and financial aspects. 
• Providing technical guidance to both internal staff, as well as external grantees through frequent collaboration. 
• Communicating results to promote change to professional, expert and non-expert audiences and developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with a range of different stakeholders. 

For more information on the primary duties and responsibilities, please refer to the job details for each role: 

• Senior Program Specialist: Job Details. 
• Senior Program Officer: Job Details. 

Take a minute to see if your profile fits IDRC: 

You have: 

• A Ph.D. in a field relevant to international development, such as political science, human rights, international affairs, international law, political economy and/or sociology or a related field and eight (8) years of relevant experience or a master’s degree in these fields with ten (10) years of relevant experience.  
  * Note: To qualify at the Senior Program Officer level, candidates must hold a Ph.D. in a relevant field with at least three (3) years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with at least five (5) years of relevant experience. 
• Proficiency in both French and English (reading, writing, and speaking). 
• Significant and relevant experience in democratic governance, human rights, justice, civil society or social movements and/or governance of technology; in low and middle-income countries (LMICS) specifically within the African context. 
• Specialized knowledge and skills in research project oversight, including in implementing and advising researchers on effective research methodologies and approaches to translating findings into change.
• An in-depth understanding of gender equity and social inclusion, analysis, planning, and integration activities for international development projects. 
• An enhanced knowledge of West and Central Africa regional perspectives and actors central to on-going development initiatives, especially specific experience working directly with organizations in West and Central Africa on issues of democratic governance. 

You are: 

• Aligned with the IDRC’s culture and value statements: At IDRC we are respectful, intentional and accountable. 
• A professional and intellectual leader who prides themselves on their ability to provide strong technical leadership to specialized research initiatives. 
• Passionate about expanding democratic and inclusive governance in LMICs. 
• Competent and comfortable in the communication, negotiation and coordination of organizational initiatives, projects, and partnerships. 
• A high performing professional, qualified to establish, manage, and develop professional relationships and modes of funding for international development projects. 
• A team player within a multidisciplinary group of people from diverse cultures. 

If this sounds like the right fit, we’d love to hear from you. 

Additional Information: 

• Hybrid Mode: The Centre provides a hybrid work environment, and your presence at the office is governed by the teleworking policy. 
• This position requires frequent international travel. 
• As a result of this process, the Centre may establish a pool of pre-qualified candidates for future permanent and term opportunities requiring the same competencies with the Democratic and Inclusive Governance Program. Positions may be located at one of our six (6) offices around the world, in Ottawa, Amman, Dakar, Montevideo, Nairobi and New Delhi.

Your next chapter begins here. Let’s shape a brighter, more inclusive future together.