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. We work in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

The Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) supports the Chief of Party in providing overall leadership, technical expertise, and management of the program within the assigned country or region. The DCOP ensures effective coordination of program activities, oversees technical staff, and maintains strong relationships with stakeholders. Responsibilities include program oversight, financial accountability, human resource management, and supporting strategic initiatives. The DCOP also represents IREX in-country, ensures compliance with donor requirements, and serves as Acting Chief of Party when required. This is a full-time position dedicated to the award, requiring flexibility to perform additional duties as needed to support organizational and program goals.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

We're looking for our next team member—could it be you?

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong expertise in higher education institutional capacity development and private sector engagement.
• In-depth understanding of Jordan’s higher education sector, workforce, and innovation ecosystems.
• Proven ability to link universities with the private sector to improve curricula, employability, and applied research.
• Demonstrated leadership in systems strengthening, policy reform, and collaborating, learning, and adapting.
• Excellent management, financial, and operational oversight skills, including procurement, HR, budgeting, and compliance.
• Skilled in developing and monitoring complex workplans, ensuring timely and within-budget delivery.
• Strong analytical, reporting, and technical writing skills in English; professional communication skills in both English and Arabic.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with partners, donors, and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Jordan’s higher education regulations preferred.

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field with 10+ years of professional experience in higher education (including at least 8 years in capacity development and/or private sector engagement); OR Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing international development programs of similar scope and size, preferably USG-funded.
• Experience in program start-up and close-out, recruitment and supervision of staff, and oversight of multiple program areas.
• Proven track record in finance, contract compliance, procurement, and accountability mechanisms.
• Valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Jordan.

Your Daily Tasks

GENERAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent IREX and support its organizational development
• In collaboration with the Chief of Party (COP) develop and communicate the overall project vision and values to staff, partners, and stakeholders
• Assist the COP in overseeing all components and day-to-day operations of the program including annual workplan preparation and quarterly monitoring and budgeting and budget monitoring.
• Oversee technical activities related to Result 2 (Effective and Sustainable Collaboration Among HEIs, Industry, Youth, Community, and Government Stakeholders) and ensure seamless coordination across technical components
• In coordination with IREX and the COP, establish and ensure implementation of IREX operational policies and procedures and ensure that all operations are in compliance with IREX, DOS and local government regulations
• Oversee the compliant operations of a Partnership Incubator Fund Lead, review and provide input for project documents (team workplans, monthly and quarterly reporting and other USAID reports and internal progress reports)
• Travel throughout Jordan as needed

Relational Communication

In partnership with Strategy and Development, accountable for identifying and the development of strategic donor partnerships and key stakeholder relationships. Represents IREX to external stakeholders by speaking about practice and organizational initiatives. Regularly shares with and learns from colleges, insights on best practices, approaches, lessons learned, industry trends and other relevant information to facilitate organization-wide collaboration. Oversees the development of written communications with key stakeholders to ensure consistent strategic messaging.

• Represent HEIG with consortium partners and external stakeholders; when applicable, serve as key liaison with key government officials, other donors and implementers, and higher education actors and partners.
• In partnership with the COP, develop and maintain effective collaborations with program partners and key stakeholders and ensure effective in-country coordination with partners, stakeholders, and staff.

Partner Engagement / Business Development

Leads and coordinates the renewal process of the assigned program. Support and coordinate country partner outreach as requested. Gathers market intelligence specific to regional/country of responsibility. Supports program renewals, one or more areas of the proposal development process; to include, but not limited to, proposal strategy, writing, and/or review.

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Represent IREX and support its organizational development
• In collaboration with the COP develop and communicate the overall project vision and values to partners, and stakeholders
• In partnership with the COP, lead the Project’s policy work with the GoJ in a manner that facilitates HEIs’ ability to lead innovative research and employable graduates.
• Lead all activities related to the Partnership Incubator Fund (in alignment with sustainability and future programming opportunities).

Task and Project Coordination/Management

Accountable for overall technical quality and impact of the project. Responsible for the contributing, creating, and guiding the work associated with key project outputs; to include, but not limited to, gathering, drafting, and creating workflow plans, budgets, internal/external reports, presentations, and other documents/deliverables as identified. Oversees the development of written communications by drafting, approving, and sending correspondence.

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Assist the COP in providing all components and day-to-day management and coordination of the Activity, including project technical and administrative, personnel, monitoring and evaluation and reporting functions
• Lead annual work-planning and preparation of associated donor reports, and quarterly workplan monitoring
• Apply knowledge of the higher education, workforce and innovation eco-systems, to provide technical expertise across program activities ensuring coordinated excellence across technical components and in strengthening higher education for innovation and growth
• Oversee technical activities related to Result 2 (Effective and Sustainable Collaboration Among HEIs, Industry, Youth, Community, and Government Stakeholders) including Higher Education Institution-Private sector partnership and collaboration at all levels, cluster development in Agri-Food Security, Medical Manufacturing and Digital Growth and Security, and the compliant development of the Partnership Incubator Fund.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and learning; program communications; and program reporting; Review and provide input for project documents (team workplans, monthly and quarterly reporting and other DOS reports and internal progress reports)
• Provide technical expertise in Jordan’s education sector
• Travel throughout Jordan as needed

Budget, Financial and Project Compliance

Responsible for fiscal management of a country’s offices(s). Ensures compliance with policies, provides leadership and training finance staff. May also be accountable for the compliance and financial integrity of a given project(s) at the Project Director level. Responsible for the approval but may not be the required signature.

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• In coordination with the COP, establish and ensure implementation of HEIG/DOS operational policies and procedures and ensure that all operations are in compliance with HEIG/DOS and local government regulations.
• In coordination with the COP, work with technical teams to accurately budget technical activities and the finance and operations teams to develop and monitor budget pipelines
• Provide direction, guidance, training, and coaching to staff to ensure procedures are aligned with best practices and HEIG/DOS rules and regulations and are implemented effectively.
• Ensure the compliant development and implementation of the Partnership Incubator Fund.

Teamwork and Leadership

• In collaboration with the COP develop and communicate the overall project vision and values to staff
• Provide direction, guidance, training, and coaching to staff
• Ensure teams under Result 1 and 2 can articulate how their work aligns with HEIG’s broader objectives.
• Build effective working relationships across cluster partners and foster collaboration within teams.

Disability Specifications

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

IREX is committed to equal opportunity and follows recruitment and selection practices that comply with all applicable employment laws. To this end, IREX recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals based on merit and experience.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

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