Chief of Party, USAID/Georgia Media Program At International Research and Exchanges Board

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 400. We work in more than 100 countries worldwide.

POSITION SUMMARY

IREX seeks a qualified Chief of Party (COP) candidate for an anticipated USAID-funded media support program in Georgia which will seek to address an evolving set of changes in Georgia’s media and information landscape, including the deterioration of robust access to information and freedom of expression; the polarization of public discourse that is, in part, due to the lack of adherence to ethical standards within the media sector; and changes in how Georgian citizens are accessing news and current events that are relevant to their communities. Based in Tbilisi, the COP will be a creative and dynamic leader, overseeing all staff and project implementation to ensure that it meets or exceeds donor expectations, on time, and within budget.

This position is contingent on funding. Only expatriates will be considered.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to the program; deploying innovative and adaptive program implementation that fosters experimentation and encourages a refined and implemented approach.
• Serve as principal liaison with USAID, as well as with key government officials, other donors and implementers, media stakeholders, private sector and civil society partners, program beneficiaries, and other stakeholders
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships with local, regional, and international organizations active in the media sector
• Oversee and monitor quality of organizational capacity development to local organizations
• Ensure program activities are implemented on schedule and within budget; responsively adapting to changes and lessons learned throughout implementation
• Supervise, manage, and mentor program staff and work in close coordination with IREX’s home office
• Oversee program budgeting, financial management, and compliance
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of program activities as well as facilitate learning and improvement across activities
• Represent IREX publicly and supports its organizational development
• Other duties, as assigned

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• At least six (6) years of experience successfully supervising, designing, managing, and implementing complex donor-funded projects focused on media sector strengthening and reform, journalism, civic engagement, or related fields (strong preference for past USAID-funded project management experience)
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise and a thorough understanding of the issues surrounding the media sector such as content production, advocacy, or media self-regulation
• Effective track record with co-creation exercises, fostering experimentation and encouraging programmatic innovation
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials; media, civic, and private sector leaders; international donors; and other stakeholders
• Experience convening diverse stakeholders to address legal and regulatory media reforms and/or emerging technological issues affecting the media sector
• Experience working with private and public sector partners to leverage additional sources of funding to meet program objectives
• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills
• Demonstrated ability to track and manage budgets and plan both strategically and creatively to meet project objectives
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Strong representational and organizational skills
• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; master’s degree preferred
• English language fluency is required, including the ability to provide written reporting in English; Georgian proficiency and/or other regional languages preferred.
• Experience in Georgia or the region preferred