Program Officer, Information and Media Practice (NEW) At 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.

IREX seeks qualified Program Officer (PO) candidates for the USAID-funded project Communities Resilient to Disinformation Building Local Engagement (CREDIBLE). The goal of CREDIBLE is to increase digital and media literacy among youth and their local communities, to generate social norm changes to build resilience against disinformation and misinformation.

Based in Colombia, the PO will monitor Colombian-based programming, work with local stakeholders, and report on activities conducted under the project and will advise on Youth Inclusion and Positive Youth Development across other activities of CREDIBLE in the region.

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 Daily Tasks

• With guidance from the Chief of Party and Regional Program Manager, monitor and report on the project from Colombia to ensure activities are implemented on schedule and within budget.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting of project activities
• Together with the CoP and other technical advisors, design and deliver training to onboard partners and staff.
• Lead the management of the Regional Conference to be implemented by the local partner.
• Under a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach, provide guidance to program activities.
• Participate in meetings and represent IREX with USAID, as well as with key government officials, other donors and implementers, private sector and civil society partners, project beneficiaries, and other stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with local, regional, and international organizations.
• Engage, develop, and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
• Mentor local partners as needed, working as part of one team to achieve common objectives.
• Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.
• Lead IREX partners in compliance with the PYD principles and other youth development initiatives.
• Support oversight of project budgeting, financial management, and compliance.
• Oversee partners’ delivery of stipends and small grants.
• Work closely with COP and Regional Program Manager to meet common deadlines and goals.
• Build trust with Consortium members to ensure quality communication and on-time performance of all activities.
• Identify, propose, and implement processes to improve efficiency and collaboration.
• Contribute to a culture of learning and adaptation.
• Other duties as supported.

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, development, or related field; required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressive experience in Colombia working in journalism, media sector strengthening, media literacy, youth, civic engagement, or related fields; some regional experience in this preferred.
• Successful track record of designing, managing, and implementing donor-funded technical assistance projects; strong preference for past USAID-funded media or youth development project management experience.
• Experience convening diverse stakeholders to address emerging technological issues.
• Experience working with private and public sector partners to leverage additional sources of funding to meet project objectives highly preferred.
• Experience developing and delivering training online and in-person.
• Experience with program data monitoring and evaluation.
• Experience and familiarity in projects related to youth participation in Colombia and the State institutions for youth, such as the system of Youth Councils. Desirable experience in projects working alongside government actors such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Information Technologies and Communications, the Presidential Youth Advisor Office, the School of Public Administration, or other similar initiatives preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of the political, economic, and media landscape in Colombia and the region.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with government officials; media, civic, and private sector leaders; international donors; and other stakeholders.
• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to track and manage budgets and plan both strategically and creatively to meet project objectives.
• Strong representational and organizational skills.
• Good command of social media networks.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and diversity and inclusion principles.
• Effective oral and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Colombia.

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 Columbia 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.