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, work in more than 100 countries worldwide with offices in 20 countries, and a global staff of 600.

Summary of Position:

IREX seeks qualified Team Leader candidates to support the anticipated MCC-funded Teaching and Leading the Next generation of Timorese Project (TALENT) in Timor Leste. This activity will aim to improve the quality of teaching and school leadership in all secondary schools in Timor Leste. Specifically, the TALENT Project aims to improve pedagogy, school, and classroom management; increase opportunities for women in teaching and leadership positions; improve language and information and communication technology (“ICT”) instruction for future teachers; and enhance instructional leadership and create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Based in Dili, the Gender and Social Inclusion in Education/Women’s Economic Empowerment Expert will be responsible for identifying best practices and develop and implement strategies to recruit, support, and graduate female teacher trainees as well as ensuring gender and social inclusion throughout the project.

This position is contingent on funding. Timor Leste citizens are strongly encouraged to apply.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Provide policy and technical advice to senior management and technical staff women’s economic empowerment related issues and strategies.
• Provide technical support and guidance for the effective management and operation of the project.
• Identify and coordinate with other partners both locally and internationally to explore the good practices to support the project.
• Link women opportunities in the education field.
• Coordinate the design and implement capacity development initiatives including organizational and operation management capacity and individual technical skills.
• Work with targeted beneficiaries to assist them to professionalize and foster more effective approaches and skills and offer a broad range of education services and life skills courses to women trainees.
• Coordinate relevant studies and assessment in targeted provinces on issues pertinent to women’s participation in the education sector.
• Work with relevant ministries and local-level institutions to identify and support women-friendly accessible training programs.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (master’s or PHD degree is preferred) in Public Policy, Gender Studies, Social Studies, Anthropology, Public Administration, or related field.
• At least eight years’ experience with gender and social inclusion in education, teacher training, and/or women’s economic empowerment.
• Experience increasing women’s access to the teaching profession and into school leadership positions at the secondary level in developing countries. Specific areas of interest include: removing barriers to entry for women such as 1) development and implementation of fair and transparent recruitment and promotion processes; 2) incentive schemes for women working in education; 3) support systems for women teachers and school leaders (i.e.,  association or mentorship programs), 4) support for women to participate in trainings (for example, childcare or transport stipends); and 5) leadership programs tailored for women in education.
• Experience in inclusive and gender sensitive curriculum design.
• Experience with inclusive stakeholder consultation, and with ensuring the input and voices of under-represented groups, including women are heard.
• Prior experience working on projects related to teacher training is desirable.
• Prior experience working on similar projects in Timor Leste, or the Pacific is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Portuguese is preferred.