Senior Project Director, Media Development Programs

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 $150 million and more than 750 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.

This position is a unique opportunity to lead IREX’s activities under the global program Civil Society and Media – Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND). This is a USAID-funded, five-year Leader with Associate (LWA) Awards cooperative agreement to cultivate more pluralistic and democratic societies by promoting vibrant information ecosystems and a strong civil society. Under CSM-STAND, IREX and its partners support activities in different regions as well as advance innovation in the Democracy and Governance community. IREX partners with Pact, implementer of the initiative, and a consortium of organizations.

The Senior Project Director (SPD) will be accountable for the successful operation of all IREX CSM-STAND funded projects (Associate Awards) and will make substantial contributions to the technical work under the Leader Awards. Reporting directly to the management team of the Information and Media Practice, the SPD will serve as a single point of facilitation for associate awards – at a senior level in the organization – for problem identification and elevation, associate award knowledge management, customer satisfaction, and cross associate award learning. The SPD will provide leadership support to the implementation of various activities under the Leader Award of the CSM-STAND of high visibility to USAID and DRG partners. The SPD will also develop technical documents to advance the work of the Information and Media Practice.  The SPD will share responsibility for growth and strategic positioning of IREX and the mechanism, in close collaboration with IREX’s Strategy and Development Group and catalyzing IREX’s ambition to seize this opportunity to strengthen independent media and civil society globally.

The SPD may assume Project Director responsibilities for smaller projects/programs under CSM-STAND as needed. The role may require the division of practices specific duties with Practice Deputy Director based on individual strengths and areas of expertise. The role will speak for and/or represent the practice. The Senior Project Director may be asked to assume responsibilities of Deputy Practice Director, Project Director, and/or Chief of Party to meet the needs of the program(s).

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 related to media development. 
•  12+ years of work experience demonstrating progressive job responsibilities work; may include a combination of part-time and consultancies. 
•  Proven experience managing multiple administrative tasks in a demanding, time sensitive work environment.
•  Proven knowledge of USAID procurement and financial regulations.
•  Proven experience of managing large, diverse international teams.
•  Proven experience working on international media development, preferred.
•  Proven experience managing large-scale, complex donor-funded international development programs.
•  Experience presenting program results, conducting research and ability to proficiently articulate findings in the English language.  
•  Proactive and comfortable with contemporary digital platforms for collaboration and communication;
•  Proficient in Microsoft office products, including and especially Excel;
•  Clear, succinct and compelling communication skills, both oral and written;
•  Outstanding interpersonal and intercultural skills;
•  Exceptional time management, multitasking, and organizational skills; and
•  Understanding and experience using social media and digital activism tools and strategies, preferred. 
•  Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion internally and pluralism and democratic principles externally.
•  Proficient knowledge (speaking/reading/writing) of either French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian required.
•  Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

 

Your Daily Tasks

• Lead a transnational team that is running a complex USAID funding program globally. 
• Lead and/or provide input to internal/external reports, prese