About IREX  
IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $100 million, offices in 20 countries, and a global staff of 700. We work in more than 100 countries worldwide.  

Position Summary
IREX seeks a Chief of Party(COP) for the upcoming five-year, approximately $30M USAID-funded Civic Engagement Activity in Iraq. The goal of this activity will be to foster a more politically engaged citizenry in Iraq, enhancing trust and participation in the country's democratic processes. This activity seeks to elevate civic literacy, empower citizens to actively engage and contribute to discussions on issues of concern. Equipping citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively in the democratic processes. This includes fostering awareness of governmental processes, promoting access to accurate media content, facilitating increased engagement with government entities at various levels, and empowering citizens to participate in public life.  

The COP will be responsible for providing overall leadership management of the entire program, as well as administrative and technical oversight. The position will be responsible for ensuring the completion of all tasks and objectives designated by USAID.

Primary Responsibilities:  

• Lead program implementation and oversee project staff and activities to achieve project goals and objectives 
• Provide strong leadership, project vision and planning, ensuring high quality and timely deliverables for USAID  
• Supported by subject matter experts, provide overall technical leadership in one or more of the following areas: civic and voter education, civic participation/engagement, social and political empowerment of women and/or youth, information integrity and resilience, institutional capacity, citizen empowerment. 
• Serve as principal liaison with USAID and develop productive collaborative relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders including government officials, donors, implementers, private sector, civil society among others
• Develop strong collaborative, supportive, and mutually respectful relationships with diverse team members, with other leaders at IREX, and with leaders at key stakeholder and partner organizations.  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree from a related field required. Master’s desired but not required
• ​​​​​​​Minimum 10 years of relevant experience developing and implementing large and complex development initiatives, preferably in Iraq and/or the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region, in one or more of the following areas:  civic and voter education, civic participation/engagement, social and political empowerment of women and/or youth, information integrity and resilience, institutional capacity, citizen empowerment.
• Demonstrated experience managing similarly sized donor-funded programs in a development context similar to Iraq and skills in strategic planning, management, coordination and budgeting. 
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations 
• Strong leadership, political acumen, communication skills and experience building and maintaining working relationships with a wide network of institutional stakeholders including host-country government at all levels. 
• Demonstrated experience in mobilizing, leading and managing multidisciplinary teams
• Experience working on conflict and/or post conflict, highly challenging operational environments
• Advanced proficiency in written and oral English, required. Fluency in Arabic, desired