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 Media Lead (SML) will lead and drive management activities within the Civil Society and Media – Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) initiative as well as to play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic vision and contributing to new business development in the realms of media and information access.

On the program management side, the SML will be accountable for the successful operation of all IREX CSM-STAND funded projects (Associate Awards), as well as responsible for managing the programs financial information, developing strategic initiatives, and staff’s time allocation. Will be responsible for setting up sustainable systems for successful start-up and strategic reporting to donors.

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 (Master’s degree preferred) related to media development.
• 12 years of progressive experience.
• 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.
• Proven experience making substantial contributions to successful new awards.
• 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.
• Understanding and experience using social media and digital activism tools and strategies.
• 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 dynamic team responsible for implementing the Associate Awards under CSM-STAND program globally.
• Serve as a senior-level focal point for problem identification, associate award knowledge management, customer satisfaction, and cross-associate award learning.
• Provide strategic insights for internal and external reports, presentations, and other deliverables.
• Lead presentations with donors and key partners.
• Contribute to data analysis, and program evaluation efforts.
• Provide leadership support for various activities under the Leader Award of CSM-STAND, enhancing visibility to USAID and democracy and governance partners.
• Offer guidance on media development and healthy information ecosystems within CSM-STAND activities.
• Manage high level partnerships as part of the CSM-STAND consortia for effective program implementation.
• Develop strategies to optimize program management across diverse activities.
• Lead active engagement with USAID, collaborating closely with both Leader and (potential) Associate Award Officer Representatives.
• Develop and nurture strategic partnerships that amplify the impact of IREX’s work. Forge connections with like-minded organizations, institutions, and stakeholders.
• Represents IREX at meetings with donors, partners, and events.
• Support internal and external program communication efforts, ensuring clarity and consistency in messaging.
• Take the lead in correspondence with key stakeholders, demonstrating diplomacy and professionalism.
• Spearhead significant components of IREX’s CSM-STAND outreach strategy, ensuring alignment with program goals and USAID priorities with dotted reporting relationship with the Strategy and Development Group. 
• Support the proposal process for associate awards which will include co-creating technical and cost proposals and coordination with local team. 
• Brand IREX as effective catalyst of solutions, skills, and thought leadership and work with Strategy and Development to oversee revenue goals. 
• Lead positive and effective working relationships and coordinate between IREX DC-based services e.g. global security, human resources and GCO/finance and a network of local IREX teams and subgrantees. 
• Develop onboarding and training materials for staff around management and operations.
• Coordinate with Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning technical advisors for the effective development of frameworks and tools.
• Coordinate a large, global team and guide activities related to media development, freedom of expression, access to information, journalism safety, innovative business models, and disinformation. 
• Develop scope of works and manage the work of assigned staff and consultants. 
• Commitment to providing a safe and inclusive environment for staff, partners, and participants, and a commitment to promoting safeguarding in the workplace, programs, and the communities. 
• Ensure implementation of CSM-STAND’s Inclusive Development Strategy across all AAs

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.