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 Manager for Communications & Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) will be part of the senior IREX team implementing the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). They will coordinate with the U.S. Department of State’s Educational and Cultural Affairs project team on execution of the program’s communications strategy. They will lead the development of the communications strategy and learning plan for the Fellowship and will provide leadership and managerial oversight for a team of approximately five employees who implement Fellowship communications and monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities. They will lead the development of the teams’ workplans and timelines, and coaching and mentoring team members, while ensuring the high quality of all products and deliverables. The Manager will oversee the external and internal communications including its robust social media portfolio and dedicated website, ensuring content demonstrates Fellowship impact for a variety of audiences. As part of the Fellowship’s communications strategy, the Manager will collaborate across team functional units and align with IREX Strategic Communications where appropriate. Additionally, the Manager will provide oversight to the team on all appropriate branding guidelines for project materials and IREX platforms.

Supervising the Fellowship’s MEL Officer, the Manager will provide strategic vision ensuring the Fellowship’s learning plan and MEL instruments are designed to successfully evaluate progress and impact. They will be responsible for all internal and external reporting requirements, including programmatic progress reports, data reporting, and internal and external presentations. The Manager will also coordinate closely with the Summit and Events, Virtual Engagement and Partnerships Teams to conceptualize and execute campaigns for events or special program initiatives. 

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 in communications, international affairs, international education, public policy, or related field. 
• 8 years of progressive job experience in a non-profit organization.
• Experience in program and staff management, communications, and MEL preferred. 
• Experience with U.S. Department of State or other US Government grants and contracts, and with incorporating U.S. foreign policy goals and funder priorities into programming. 
• Supervisory experience or experience managing/directing staff at varying levels. 
• Experience managing projects within a cross-functional team, leading staff both within and outside of your direct reporting line.
• Experience developing and implementing a comprehensive communications strategy for a project or organization across multiple platforms, including websites and social media, reports and other deliverables, and success in conceptualizing and leading media campaigns for events or special initiatives, preferred. 
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation for international exchange or public diplomacy programs, and familiarity with ECA’s MODE data indicators preferred. 
• Availability to support scheduled program activities in the evenings and on weekends, as needed. 
• Excellent written communication skills including document proofing and final draft, presentation, and oral communication skills. 
• Familiarity with data visualization tools (i.e., Power BI) and ability to identify what makes a clear and compelling visualization to communicate MEL findings effectively. 
• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, including the ability to prioritize. 
• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills 
• Able to work independently and as a team member with consistent ability to lead others, take initiative, meet deadlines, and be flexible. 
• Demonstrated expertise in relationship management with a funder/client or other senior level stakeholders.
• Experience creating, managing, and monitoring program budgets. 
• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet specified objectives with strong ability to anticipate challenges and generate solutions. 
• Demonstrated understanding of current affairs in Sub Saharan Africa and U.S.-Africa policy responses 
• Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated flexibility to meet program outcomes. 
• Proficient in Microsoft office products, including Excel. 
• You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States. 

Your Daily Tasks 

• Develop and execute the Fellowship’s communication strategy aligned to organizational and funder priorities. 
• Oversee the communications and MEL teams and program-wide tasks such as correspondence management, survey implementation, and social media management. 
• Oversee the design and use of MEL tools including surveys and data visualization tools to communicate the program’s impact effectively.
• Lead the team’s engagement with the funder on all communications and MEL initiatives, including but not limited to managing the website and social media platforms, annual Fellowship surveys and ECA’s MODE reporting. 
• Collaborate internally with other project sub-teams, including Summit and Events, Partnerships, Virtual and Alumni Engagement on positioning of the Fellowship. 
• Coordinate with IREX Strategic Communications where appropriate, on alignment of Fellowship content with IREX positioning.
• Coordinate with IREX Center for Applied Learning and Impact as a thought leader on the MEL requirements of the funder.
• Lead funder engagement on all communications and MEL matters. 
• Oversee document proofing and final draft development of program reporting. 
• Contribute to the proposal development process for the program’s recompete, when necessary.
• Oversee and contribute to the production of program materials, including the procurement of service providers, and resources.
• Ensure that the assigned program officers, coordinators, associates, and/or interns are provided with training, guidance, and mentorship to execute their work. 
• Oversee a cross-team Communications Committee that provides strategic vision and editorial oversight over content development.
• Provide input and contribute perspective to team decision-making. 
• Participate in the hiring process for new team members. 
• Delegate relevant work and provide clear and measurable guidance. 
• 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 support duties as needed. 

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008. 

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates. 

This position is eligible for Telework. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time DC-based staff who works from a worksite outside the DC office for one or more days a week.

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.