International Research and Exchanges Board
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 II (SPO II) takes on management roles in a rotating portfolio of projects within IREX’s Global Programs Group and will support the (1) Communities & Governance; (2) Information & Media; (3) Education and (4) Leadership practices during critical junctures for the projects, such as start-ups, closeouts, staff turnover, etc. The tasks of the SPO II will focus on the management of assigned projects and activities, including but not limited to providing support for implementation of regional activities and providing day-to-day operational support to project team and country-based staff. They will also support the reporting, financial management, procurement and the subgranting process. The SPO II will work with multiple teams and balance sometimes competing demands.
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
- Bachelor’s Degree.
- 8+ years of progressive job experience.
- Project management experience in international development programming in a technical area(s) that is relevant to the work in one or more of the Global Programs Practices at IREX: (1) Communities & Governance; (2) Information & Media; (3) Education and (4) Leadership.
- At least two years of experience that includes mentoring and coaching of staff either in a formal manager relationship or informally, for example providing day-to-day direction on task prioritization for other staff in a project team.
- Experience managing projects funded by the U.S. Government (including USAID, U.S. Department of State, Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the Public Affairs Section of a U.S. Embassy), other bilateral donors, the World Bank, private foundations, and/or corporate donors.
- Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet specified objectives with strong ability to anticipate challenges and generate solutions.
- Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, including the ability to prioritize.
- Proven ability to effectively manage prime award compliance and budgeting.
- Proven ability to negotiate subawards and execute compliant subawards with local partners.
- Able to work independently and as a team member with consistent ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, and be flexible.
- Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
- Strong written communication skills and the ability to effectively tailor writing for different audiences.
- Ability to travel internationally at least 15% time.
- Desirable but not required experience and skills include:
- Experience leading project mobilization and closeout.
- Experience in international development programming based in a location outside of the U.S.
- Working professional language fluency in Spanish, Russian, French or Arabic.
- You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.
Your Daily Tasks
- Lead and/or oversee production of workplans, budgets, internal/external reports, and other deliverables for a rotating portfolio of projects across the (1) Communities & Governance; (2) Information & Media; (3) Education and (4) Leadership Practices during critical project periods, such as start-ups, closeouts, staff turnover, and major project events.
- Serve as the Mobilization and Closeout Lead for programs as needed. Coordinates mobilization and closeout activities with other units at IREX.
- Recruit and Onboard program staff in HQ and the field.
- Make recommendations to the managers of the Global Programs Project Services Team for the allocation of staff time to respond to support requests from project teams.
- Support managers of the Global Programs Project Services Team in identifying training needs and developing strategies to design and provide trainings to relevant team members.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for donors and partners as assigned on a rotating portfolio of projects.
- Communicate regularly with other IREX groups and units outside of Global Programs (i.e. the Center for Applied Learning and Impact, the Grants and Contracts Office, Financial Planning and Analysis, and Human Resources) to maintain awareness of resources and policies and to tap and deploy them quickly in Global Programs.
- Regularly share information about the Global Programs Project Services Team across IREX groups and units.
- Support practice leaders to plan start-up staffing in the project transition from New Business Development Unit to Global Programs leadership during the pre-award/best and final offer (BAFO) and post-award start-up period, including attending transition meetings.
- Work in partnership with project teams and IREX Grants and Contracts Office to develop and issue subawards in compliance with IREX policies and external requirements (including but not limited to overseeing due diligence processes, reviewing subaward budgets, and ensuring appropriate inclusion of prime award provisions in subawards).
- Oversee and perform financial administration tasks consistent with policies on a rotating portfolio or projects.
- Train and coach members of the Global Programs Project Services Team on policies and processes to ensure compliance and financial integrity.
- Approve payments and agreements as per level of authority.
- Directly manage two or more members of the Global Programs Project Services Team.
- Provide supervision, mentoring and guidance to assigned staff in multiple countries.
- Promote behaviors and practices that increase diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Other support duties as needed.
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 Remote work. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time staff who works from a worksite outside the DC metro area on a more permanent or ongoing basis.
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.