Program Lead Consultancy

Job Announcement  

For External Use 

Location: The Dominican Republic 

Group/Practice/Unit: Education  

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 $100 million and more than 600 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 Program Lead Consultancy (PO) is assigned to the SHE’s GREAT project located in the Dominican Republic. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the daily implementation of SHE’s GREAT!. The incumbent will have good knowledge and understanding of operations and administration procedures, subgrant implementation and reporting, building, and maintaining relationships with selected and potential project partners, and ensuring compliance with donor (State Department) and IREX requirements.  

In close coordination with the IREX Senior Program Lead Consultancy and Technical Advisor, the Program Lead Consultancy will lead components of the SHE’s GREAT! program in the Dominican Republic, including 1) providing oversight and technical expertise, for the Dominican Republican context, to program phases; 2) facilitating communication, on project implementation, between the implementing partner in-country and the D.C. office; and 3) monitoring reporting and compliance issues for day-to-day programming. The Program Officer Consultancy will use contextualized knowledge of the Dominican Republic’s gender landscape to inform the project workplan, in particular, customization of the Gender and My Community (GMC) Curriculum and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) tools and approaches.   

Performs additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, or as assigned by supervisor. 

Your Background & Skills 

Background  

• Bachelor’s Degree in social science, international affairs, gender studies, youth development, education, or similar discipline. 

• 3+ years of relevant work experience in the NGO sector supporting large-scale programs with subgrant components. 

• English and Spanish language fluency, written and spoken. 

• 2+ years in civil-society programs and experience working in areas related to cohesion or inclusion; and experience designing and/or conducting relevant training programs.  

• 1+ year experience working with international donor-funded projects; 

• Experience working with and within diverse and underserved communities in the Dominican Republic across education, social protection, gender equality, and/or youth engagement sectors, highly desired, with safeguarding experience a plus.   

• Experience developing or facilitating in-person and virtual trainings, strongly preferred. 

• Experience with integration of equity and inclusion issues into age-appropriate activities for youth, including interactive training curricula, highly desired.     

• You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the Dominican Republic. 

Skills  

• Proven experience in program management, grant administration, or related roles. 

• Strong project management skills, including budgeting and reporting. 

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders. 

• Excellent writing and editing skills with experience in drafting programmatic documents, such          as proposals, work-plans; quarterly reports; final reports; success stories; talking points; and other types of programmatic documents. 

• Knowledge of issues related to Gender Equality, STEM education, GESI in the Dominican Republic is a plus.  

• Proficiency in data analysis and evaluation techniques. 

• Strong organizational and time management abilities. 

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team. 

• High degree of initiative, organization, and attention to detail.  

• Commitment to the organization's mission and values. 

• Excellent ability to remain flexible and collaborative while adhering to strict deadlines.   

• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office software, specifically Word, Outlook, SharePoint, and Excel.

Your Daily Tasks 

Provides technical support and inputs to an assigned program(s) or project. Responsible for the contributing, creating, and guiding the work associated with project outputs; to include but not limited to program design, required products, gathering, drafting, and creating workflow plans, budgets, internal/external reports, presentations, and other documents/deliverables as identified. Responsible for the development of written communications by drafting, approving, and sending correspondence. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:  

• Manage a consortium of partners to implement SHE’s GREAT! in the Dominican Republic 

• Lead project activities within the program as identified by the Senior Program Officer or Technical Advisor. 

• Ensure that all assigned programmatic deliverables are achieved by the established deadlines. 

• Provide technical input into the development and adaptation of program materials. 

• Ensure quality control of the materials and products developed under the program. 

• Provide input into the development of training curricula, educational materials, and strategic planning sessions. 

• Draft proposals, work-plans; quarterly reports; final reports; success stories; talking points; and other types of programmatic documents. 

• Coordinate organization of program meetings and events in the offline and online format (check-ins, trainings, workshops, working group meetings, etc.). 

• Coordinate and support oversight of hired experts, making sure their outputs correspond to the expected deliverables. 

• Ensure compliance with grant guidelines and reporting requirements. 

• Collaborate with the communications team to plan, execute, and evaluate public opinion campaigns. 

• Coordinate and support activities related to SHE’s GREAT!, working closely with partner organizations and consultants. 

• Track and analyze work-plan activity progress toward project objectives.   

• Drive innovation of resources created under the program.  

• Travel throughout the Dominican Republic to attend program events and meetings, and potential travel to another country of implementation depending on programmatic needs. 

• Track a wide range of information and data, maintaining accuracy and completeness.  

• Supply technical assistance in relevant areas of expertise.  

• Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.  

• Other duties as assigned.  

Relational Communication 

Serves as a primary point of contact for the Dominican Republic; includes interacting with key stakeholders, partners, and/or fellow IREX employees. Responsible for drafting and sending correspondence with stakeholders. Guidance and/or approval before engaging stakeholders may be required, in some cases. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:  

• Manage subgrantees, maintain day-to-day communication with them and ensure the delivery of the milestones in accordance with the deadlines and indicators set. 

• Supply technical assistance in relevant areas of expertise and provide technical advising to program subgrantees. 

• Oversee the execution of subgrants, contract and other types of agreements ensuring compliance and quality deliverables. 

• Maintain a positive and collaborative atmosphere among team members and partners. 

• Interact regularly with opinion leaders, government officials, trainers, civil society and media groups, and other program stakeholders.  

• Other duties as assigned. 

Partner Engagement / Business Development 

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

Specific tasks for assigned role include: 

• Identify potential partners, including NGOs, government agencies, and community organizations, to enhance program effectiveness. 
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with existing and prospective partners. 
• Collaborate with partners to leverage resources and expertise for program success. 
• Lead specific engagement with local stakeholders, with minimal oversight, and contribute to strategy and design as appropriate.    
• Regular collaboration with IREX staff and partners in the US, and other countries of implementation, and contribute to implementation of SHE’s GREAT!’s global network activities with SHE’s GREAT! Ambassador.   
• Join leadership, when invited, in donor project meetings to increase awareness and relationship building.    
• Other duties as assigned. 

Budget, Financial and Project Compliance  

At the direction of project leadership, independently and accurately performs financial administration tasks (check requests, sub-award approval level, etc.). Makes independent decisions about the type of information needed to populate a given document consistent with policies. May have the authority to sign for approval for smaller amounts as defined by the project. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include: 

• Review financial documents, and other contractors’ requests. 

• Support the due diligence process for the subgrantees. 

• Prepare documentation in line with IREX procurement requirements. 

• Develop project plans, budgets, and timelines for assigned programs and initiatives. 

• Contribute to program reporting and budget monitoring. 

• Other duties as assigned. 

Teamwork and Leadership 

Ensures fellow team members can articulate how project work aligns with program or practice area goals and objectives. Delegates relevant work and provide clear and measurable guidance. Proactively seeks feedback from team members and use information to make informed, relevant decision for projects, programs, and client. Seeks opportunities to encourage team members, to create more efficient processes and workflows that improve overall program. Takes ownership of the decisions and actions. Mentors Coordinators who direct the work of interns.  

Specific tasks assigned for role include: 

• Collaborate with the program teams to prepare, edit, and proofread relevant documentation and provide recommendations, including for any technical issues;  

Living IREX Values 

Doers: Proactively identifies and initiatives opportunities to improve processes that impact daily work and improve operational efficiencies. Demonstrates the willingness to jump in and get the job done in support of project successes. Responsible for establishing, and accountable for honoring, project deadlines; when needed proactively collaborate with client and managers to adjust.  

Impact Driven: Develops an understanding of how program directly impacts the lives who receive IREX services. Demonstrate a willingness to identify solutions, new and old, that deliver big results to the client  

Empathetic: Proactively seeks feedback and integrate into work products. Share your insights and observations with co-workers and managers. Adapt your approach and style to ensure effective collaboration and outcomes.  

Forward-lookers: Model an individual practice of self- reflection that expands individual and team awareness. Seek opportunities to integrate lessons learnt, feedback, and industry research into the program.  

Inclusive: Model habits of seeking different perspective, productive conflict, and a collaborative, inclusive workstyle. Understands IREX programs within practice area and proactively explore how other programs can inform your program. Respect difference of opinions and ideas and seek to find the best solution for the client. Supports the development of a diverse staff/team though hiring and retention efforts.  

Strategic Learning Triangle  

Learning for Them: Proactively attend industry events that have direct program impact.  

Learning for Us: Seek learning opportunities that deepen understanding of the work, goals, and mission of IREX.  

Learning for Me: Expand job knowledge and skills that will inform daily work. Develop a habit of sharing insights on best practices, approaches, lessons learned, industry trends with colleagues.  

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 Remote work.