Chief of Party, USAID/Higher Education activity in Jordan

About IREX:

IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $100 million, work in more than 100 countries worldwide with offices in 13 countries, and a global staff of 600.

Summary of Position:

IREX seeks qualified Chief of Party candidates for an anticipated USAID-funded higher education activity in Jordan. This activity will aim to improve the performance of core functions by higher education institutions, including student-centered teaching and learning, research, and engagement; and supporting effective and sustainable collaboration among higher education institutions, industry, and government stakeholders to improve teaching and learning, research, and innovation. Based in Amman, the Chief of Party will oversee all aspects of program implementation, providing vision to the program and ensuring that objectives are met on time and within budget.

This position is contingent on funding. Citizens of Jordan or permanent residents with work authorization will only be considered.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to the program, including a comprehensive vision for designing activities that will improve the performance of core functions by higher education institutions and support effective and sustainable collaboration among higher education institutions, industry, and government stakeholders.
• Serve as principal liaison with USAID and develop productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders including government officials, Jordanian higher educational institutions, other donors and implementers, program beneficiaries and others.
• Develop strong collaborative, supportive, and mutually respectful relationships with diverse team members, with other leaders at IREX, and with leaders at key stakeholder and partner organizations.
• Ensure program activities are implemented on schedule, within budget, and coordinated to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
• Oversee program budgeting and forecasting, financial management, compliance and subgrants management.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting to ensure the program adapts as needed to meet objectives and learning is acquired and shared broadly to maximize impact and sustainability.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout program implementation while also promoting an evidence-based positive youth development approach.
• Supervise, manage, and mentor program staff; lead recruitment of specialized technical staff.
• Ensure that IREX’s safety and security policies and procedures are applied to all program and staff operations.
• Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in public administration, international development, education management or a field relevant to this activity
• A minimum 10 years of international development experience managing projects directly related to higher education or public-private partnerships with relevant management, supervisory and technical experience working with programs of a similar scope to this activity. Out of which, the candidate must have a minimum of 7 years of experience in a senior management or leadership role, i.e. Project Director, Chief of Party.
• Ability to advise host country contacts at the ministerial level and create and maintain effective working relations with international and local stakeholders.
• Proven track record and experience in project design, policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation of higher education and private sector partnerships and alliances.
• A good understanding of the local context.
• Excellent communication skills and wring ability in English [strong Arabic skills are highly desirable].