Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $100 million and more than 600 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

The Senior Program Officer for Iraq Higher Education programs plays a key role in advancing IREX’s impact in the world by supporting management of higher education programs and developing organizational best practice related to higher education. The Senior Program Officer manages aspects of programs, interventions and technical products, program oversight and management, ensuring quality and achievement of intended impact, compliance with donor and IREX policies, financial management and staff management. In addition, the SPO contributes to technical knowledge and application of theories, methods and design to develop IREX leadership in higher education and support new business and strategic partnership development. The SPO may also carry out additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, or as assigned by supervisor.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• A Bachelor’s degree related to international development, higher education, education, IT, technology or civics education.

• At least 5 years’ experience working in civic engagement, youth leadership, capacity development, technology integration, higher education or related fields, with experience working in the Iraq or MENA region strongly preferred.
• Experience in curriculum development and training facilitation required.
• Experience with online training and coaching strongly preferred.
• Successful track record of supervising, designing, managing, and implementing donor-funded projects.
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet specified objectives with strong ability to anticipate challenges and generate solutions.
• Demonstrated expertise in international program management.
• Experience working in IT certifications and market driven computer and technology studies preferred.
• Experience working with and navigating partnerships among higher education institutions in the US.
• Experience creating, managing and monitoring program budgets.
• Experience in drafting program projections and track actual expenditures.
• Professional work experience in Iraq strongly preferred.
• Arabic or Kurdish language is a plus, but not required.
• Availability to travel to Iraq.
• Professionalism in written correspondence and report writing, excellent presentation and oral communication skills.
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, including ability to prioritize and analyze.
• Able to work independently and as a team member with consistent ability to take initiative, meet deadlines and be flexible.
• Demonstrated ability to lead staff in setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and developing efficient administrative practices.
• Proven experience managing multiple administrative tasks in a demanding, fast paced, time sensitive work environment.
• Must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

Your Daily Tasks

• Support Senior Technical Advisor in all aspects of program implementation to ensure quality and impact of programming.
• Manage all aspects of day-to-day program implementation including but not limited to drafting/updating program timelines, workflow plans, budgets, reports, and program curriculum to ensure quality and impact of programming in coordination with Senior Technical Expert.
• Oversee and monitor external partners related to the program.
• Contribute to the development of program material, including design of program workshops and manuals, curricula, resources for program partners, communications, and reports.
• Oversee monitoring and evaluation activities, including drafting and finalize quarterly reports and analyzes results to inform project implementation.
• Makes decisions and provides solutions to implementation obstacles in a dynamic working environment.
• Conducts research where needed on existing programming, possible partners, design approaches, and potential personnel.
• Manage relationships and outreach with partner institutions, including academic, corporate, non-profit, and consultants.
• Represents IREX’s and the Education Practice’s interests to both external stakeholders (by speaking about program and project initiatives) and within IREX.
• Oversee supporting relationships and outreach with academic partner institutions; establishes partnerships (e.g. with consultants) and negotiates terms and scopes of work; monitors partner budgets and subawards, contracts, and agreements as needed;
• Provide financial management including analyzing projections vs. actuals, forecasting and recasting, reviewing domestic and foreign expenditures, and maintaining projections in financial management system.
• Ensures all fiscal and performance activities are in compliance with IREX policies and procedures and donor regulations.
• Provides supervision, mentoring, and guidance to staff, including conducting staff performance reviews and identifying areas for talent development within project team.

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Telework. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time DC-based staff who works from a worksite outside the DC office for one or more days a week.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.