IREX Hiring for Chief of Party, Higher Education for Innovation and Growth (HEIG) Activity at Amman, Jordan Full Time

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 a qualified Chief of Party to support the five-year USAID-funded Higher Education for Innovation and Growth (HEIG) Activity in Jordan. This activity aims to strengthen the core functions of higher education institutions (HEIs), and support effective and sustainable collaboration among HEIs, industry, and government stakeholders to improve teaching and learning, research, and innovation.

The Chief of Party will provide overall strategic, technical and administrative leadership of HEIG, working closely with key actors in Jordan to provide sustainable and innovative activities to develop closer collaboration between HEIs and external partners to improve teaching and learning, research, and innovation. Serving as principal liaison with USAID on management and technical matters. They will oversee all aspects of program implementation, providing vision to the program and ensuring that objectives are met on time and within budget. They will oversee all staff, financial management, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning. They will be responsible for administering and managing the implementation of the activity and have the overall responsibility for assuring that all assistance provided is technically sound and appropriate to meet activity objectives. They must be responsible for all aspects of coordination and communication, including with the Jordanian government, other donors, universities, the civil society sector, and other potential implementing partners. They will manage the work of all organizations (sub-awardees) and individuals engaged under the activity. USAID expects that the Chief of Party will be dedicated to the award on a full-time basis.

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

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in public administration, international development, education management or a field relevant to this activity. (Master’s degree highly preferred).
• A minimum of 15 years of international development experience managing projects directly related to higher education or public-private partnerships with relevant management, managerial and technical experience working with programs of a similar scope to this activity. Out of which, the candidate must have a minimum of 7 years of experience in a senior management or leadership role, i.e. Project Director, Chief of Party.
• Demonstrated ability to advise host country contacts at the ministerial level and create and maintain effective working relations with international and local stakeholders, NGOs, local partners, and U.S. Government Agencies.
• Proven track record and experience in project design, policy dialogue, strategic planning and implementation of higher education and private sector partnerships and alliances.
• A good understanding of the local context.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with early grade education institutions, senior government officials, international donors, industry, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee budgets and effectively plan both strategically and creatively to meet program objectives on time and on budget.
• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills.
• Strong representational and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and writing ability in English and Arabic required.
• You must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Jordan.

Your Daily Tasks

• Provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise and serve as the primary liaison with USAID on management and technical matters.
• Responsible for administering and managing the implementation of HEIG and has the overall responsibility for assuring that developed workplans and all assistance provided is technically sound and appropriate to meet activity objectives.
• Responsible for all aspects of coordination and communication, including with the Jordanian government, other donors, universities, the civil society sector, and other potential implementing partners.
• Guide coordinated activities across components, maximizing the technical expertise of all partners, to create seamless support throughout HEIG.
• Manage the work of all partners and individuals engaged under HEIG.
• Develop productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders including government officials, Jordanian early grade education institutions, other donors and implementers, program beneficiaries and others.
• Oversee and facilitate learning across activities and amongst key stakeholders.
• 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.
• Ensure that IREX’s safety and security policies and procedures are applied to all program and staff operations.
• Serve as the principal liaison with USAID, as well as with key government officials, other donors and implementers, and early grade education actors and partners. Leverage relationships with these key stakeholders to engage them in strategic convenings during HEIG that support the exchange of lessons learned.
• Oversee program budgeting and forecasting, financial management, compliance and subgrants management.
• Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.
• 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.
• Supervise, manage, and mentor program staff, lead recruitment of specialized technical staff.
• Other duties, as assigned.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.