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 $140 million, work in more than 100 countries worldwide with offices in 20 countries, and a global staff of over 600.  

Position Summary 

IREX seeks a qualified Chief of Party (COP) to lead an anticipated, USAID/LAC Bureau-funded activity, the LAC Regional Fund for Basic Education.  The upcoming activity will focus on using a flexible regional fund granting mechanism to address barriers to access and quality of education for learners from marginalized backgrounds and to develop and scale solutions aimed at guaranteeing high-quality education for those populations in the LAC region (countries include Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Paraguay).  

Marginalized groups may include but aren’t limited to: migrants, refugees, internally displaced children and youth, and children and youth affected by violence, children and youth with disabilities (physical, mental, intellectual, sensory, or developmental), indigenous and afro-descendant children and youth, children and youth who do not use the language of school instruction at home, children and youth from marginalized gender groups, women and girls in early and forced marriages or with early/unplanned pregnancies, LGBTQI+ youth, children and youth from or living in rural areas, and children and youth from homes or communities with lower socioeconomic statuses.   

The COP will be responsible for technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the activity. The COP will serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders. The COP will manage staff and ensure the project achieves stated goal and results and meets reporting requirements. The COP will also ensure the quality and timeliness of all products and interventions generated under the project. 

This position is contingent on project award. 

• Provides strategic and technical leadership to the program and staff, deploying innovative and adaptive program management that engages a wide range of stakeholders while effectively meeting project objectives. 

• Provides strategic and technical leadership for the design and implementation of activities in education development, foundational learning, education financing, education grantmaking, access to education for marginalized and vulnerable groups. 

• Oversees the provision of technical assistance and grants management for local partners, including the development of capacity-building tools and tracking systems as needed. 

• Serve as the project’s principal liaison with the USAID/LAC Bureau, and key partners and stakeholders in the LAC region. 

• Develops workplans through participatory and collaborative processes, oversees workplan implementation, responsively adapts to changes and lessons learned throughout implementation.  

• Develops and maintains effective partnerships for the successful implementation of the project with Government, USAID, private sector, and implementing partner stakeholders. 

• Ensures activities are implemented on schedule and within the project budget. 

• Identifies issues and risks to program implementation in a timely manner and suggests appropriate program adjustments. 

• Supervises, manages, and mentors the program’s staff, in close coordination with IREX’s home office. 

• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout program implementation while also promoting an evidence-based positive youth development approach. 

• Oversees monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of program activities; promotes a culture of learning and adaptation across the program and partners. 

• Oversees project communications and represents the project publicly. 

Skills and Experience

• At least eight (8) years of relevant experience leading education development, foundational learning, education financing or grant making focused programs, with a master’s degree in a relevant field such as education, international development, non-profit management, etc.; or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with at least 10 years of relevant experience.  

• A successful track record of at least five (5) years' experience supervising, managing, and implementing USAID or other donor--funded programs, preferably in the LAC region.  

• Proven experience leading or supporting projects focused on addressing access to education for marginalize groups, to include but not limited to: migrants, refugees, internally displaced children and youth, and children and youth affected by violence, children and youth with disabilities (physical, mental, intellectual, sensory, or developmental), indigenous and afro-descendant children and youth, children and youth who do not use the language of school instruction at home, children and youth from marginalized gender groups, women and girls in early and forced marriages or with early/unplanned pregnancies, LGBTQI+ youth, children and youth from or living in rural areas, and children and youth from homes or communities with lower socioeconomic statuses. 

• Demonstrated ability to develop and foster relationships with local partners and counterparts, preferably in Guatemala or the LAC region. Experience working in one or more of the following countries in Latin America is required: Barbados, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Paraguay. 

• Demonstrated ability to track and manage budgets, and plan strategically and creatively to meet project objectives. 

• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills, strong interpersonal and organizational skills and proven experience in adaptive management in complex operating environments. 

• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individual regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status. 

• Fluency English and Spanish (written and spoken) required.  

• Work authorization in the country of preferred location (Washington, DC, US; Guatemala City, Guatemala; or San Salvador, El Salvador).