Senior Program Officer, Leadership Practice

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.

The Senior Program Officer, Strategic Communications will lead the implementation of the Fellowship’s core communications portfolio in coordination with the Communications and MEL Manager, with a focus on curating content and materials for internal and external communications efforts, including overseeing all website, social media, email, and video content. In this capacity, the Senior Program Officer will lead the development and editing of content for the Fellowship website and social media, videos, program materials and other collateral, branding guidance, program reports, and virtual orientations and webinars.

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

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 5+ years of professional experience in relevant sectors, including previous experience with strategic communications and international education/development.
• Excellent written communications skills, with the capacity to edit and write independently and produce final, polished quality communication and documents. Demonstrated experience developing and editing external-facing content and materials, including but not limited to website content, social media posts, press releases, and email newsletters.

• Experience working with domestic and global partners or stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience to proactively offer creative solutions and plan strategically to meet specified objectives with strong ability to anticipate challenges and generate solutions.
• High-level knowledge of MS Office (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel).
• Experience working with graphic design software, including Canva or the Adobe Creative Suite.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, and succinctly and independently lead outstanding verbal and written communications.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills including problem solving, conflict resolution, and a demonstrated ability to hold self and assigned staff accountable for quality outputs and results.
• Outstanding cross-cultural skills and understanding of DEI concepts and how they are applied in both the workplace and in programming.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends, as needed.

• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

Your Daily Tasks

• Lead social media strategy for Fellowship social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram, YouTube, and Flickr) for an audience of over 300,000, including maintaining a social media content calendar and drafting and editing posts.
• Oversee communications and branding for Fellowship events and campaigns, including the yearly Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit and Fellowship application recruitment.
• Lead video production efforts to highlight Fellowship impact and successes.
• Manage relationships and outreach with partners, including vendors.
• Lead the development of website stories, campaigns, press releases, and other editorial content to support the program, including maintaining a website content calendar and working with team members and consultants to identify, draft, and edit content.
• Engage vendors and consultants in the procurement of Fellowship goods and services.
• Support the accurate reconciliation of program expenses each month as needed.
• Assist team leadership in tracking program expenditures and managing procurement in line with USG standards.
• Support team leadership in all aspects of program implementation to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables.
• Create a positive team environment adhering to IREX’s organizational values and management principles.
• Proactively support IREX’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
• Represent IREX and Leadership Practice Area interests both within and outside of IREX.
• Other duties as assigned.