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, offices in 20 countries, and a global staff of 600. We work in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Summary of Position
IREX seeks qualified Chief of Party (COP) candidates to support the USAID-funded Central Asia Information Integrity Activity (CAIIA). This is a five-year activity that aims to enhance efforts by Central Asian countries to maintain and strengthen the integrity of their information space and build societal resilience against disinformation. Based in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, or Kyrgyzstan the COP will be responsible for technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the activity. S/he will serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders. S/he will manage staff and ensure the CAIIA Activity achieves stated goal and results and meets reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of all products and interventions generated under the Activity.
Only citizens of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan or permanent residents with work authorization will be considered. This position is contingent on funding.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic and technical leadership to the program, including a comprehensive vision for transformational outcomes for the activity’s intermediate results.
- Serve as principal liaison with USAID and develop productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders including government officials, other donors and implementers, academia, civil society and private sector partners, 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 across regions.
- 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.
- Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.
- Ensure that IREX’s safety and security policies and procedures are applied to all program and staff operations.
- Other duties, as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Citizenship or residency with work authorization from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, or Kyrgyzstan is required.
- At least 10 years of relevant experience working in journalism, media sector strengthening and reform, civic engagement, or related fields; or a Bachelor’s degree in related field required with at least 12 years of experience also considered; Advanced educational background and knowledge relevant for similar projects in CIS countries;
- Demonstrated experience in managing national, multi-country or international development programs. Experience in media and information sector development, including media literacy and/or addressing disinformation is preferred, but not strictly required;
- Strong leadership, administrative, management, presentation, reporting, analytical and communication skills and the ability to implement projects with diverse subject matter;
- Demonstrated ability to research and analyze policies, strategies, legislation, available data with regards to information environments and addressing disinformation in any sphere, including global health security, and make recommendations for improvement to relevant stakeholders;
- Preferred candidates would have experience integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment issues within media development activities;
- Ability to coordinate with USG and other donor programs on media and mis and disinformation, and seek synergies and complementarities to maximize results; and
- Ability to establish strong working relationships with media, academia, civic, and private sector leaders; international donors; and other stakeholders
- Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills
- Experience convening diverse stakeholders to address legal and regulatory media reforms and/or other issues affecting the media sector.
- Experience working with private and public sector partners to leverage additional sources of funding to meet project objectives preferred
- Strong understanding of the political, economic, and media landscape in Central Asia preferred, as well as of the current issues facing the media sector
- Fluency in any of the Central Asia national languages, Russian, and English is required.