Education Systems and Policies Senior Manager/Senior Technical Advisor

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 20 countries, and a global staff of 600.

Summary of Position:

IREX seeks qualified Education Systems and Policies Senior Manager/Senior Technical Advisor candidates for an anticipated USAID-funded early grade education activity in Jordan. This five-year activity will aim to advance national efforts to strengthen the caliber of pre- and in-service teacher education and improve Kindergarten through Grade Three foundational and socio-emotional skills across the Kingdom of Jordan. Based in Amman, the Education Systems and Policies Senior Manager/Senior Technical Advisor will engage with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, university staff, and relevant partners to audit current policies and incentive structures and to develop relevant and well-aligned systems, policies, and practices.

This position is contingent on funding. Citizens of Jordan or permanent residents with work authorization strongly encouraged to apply.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with relevant partners, conduct assessments to understand the inhibiting and enabling factors affecting the quality of pre- and in-service teacher preparation in Jordan.
• Work with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, and other Government of Jordan stakeholders, alongside relevant partners, to improve coordination and data-driven decision-making that strengthens policies, processes, and systems.
• Support Government of Jordan entities, including universities, to develop and advance reforms to institutionalize high-quality pre- and in-service teacher education.
• Manage project partners, including oversight of technical deliverables.
• Supervise team who will provide technical and logistical support to the program.
• Represent the project publicly.
• Includes travel throughout Jordan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Citizenship of Jordan or permanent residency with work authorization required.
• Master’s degree in relevant field with a minimum of 10 years of experience building productive multi-stakeholder partnerships, preferably in the education sector; or a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with an additional three years of experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Jordanian pre- and in-service teacher training policy landscape required.
• Demonstrable ability to facilitate stakeholder buy-in and build effective working relationships and coalitions between diverse education stakeholders and their senior leadership.
• Experience leading assessments that draw on a wide range of data sources, and of applying results to inform policy decisions and/or practice.
• Experience with international donor-funded development projects, particularly in Jordan and/or other Middle Eastern countries, desired.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, relationship building skills, and the ability to work cooperatively with team members, partner organizations, and stakeholders from government and education sectors.
• Fluency in Arabic and English required, including strong writing skills.
• Strong computer skills and proven track record in the advanced use of modern communications tools, internet, email, social media, and teleconferences.
• Detail-oriented with ability to multitask and adjust priorities in a fast-paced working environment in order to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and versatility.