IREX

Component Manager - Civil Society

About IREX (www.irex.org)  

For more than 50 years, IREX has delivered results in complex environments. We solve problems through partnership, bridge divides where interests conflict, and develop leaders committed to impact. The youth we empower build stronger economies. The educators we support improve learning for countless students. The critical thinking skills we advance help people make informed decisions about their futures. 

For the upcoming “Strengthening Social Cohesion through Civil Society and Mass-Media in Moldova“ (COSMA) project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), IREX is seeking qualified candidates to provide management and general technical direction to civil-society focused activities based in Chisinau, Moldova. 

The COSMA initiative aims to enhance an inclusive nation-building process and social cohesion in Moldova based on democratic principles. This will be achieved by empowering the media and civil society organizations to act as agents of accountability, cohesion and transformation, using citizens' priorities as entry points. This strategic initiative entails the active inclusion of the excluded groups and attaining widespread societal support. This is to be achieved through a combination of awareness raising, coaching, mentoring, peer exchange and training on transformative topics. The program will have a nationwide coverage paying particular attention to regions where social and national cohesion are at risk, such as the Gagauz Autonomous Region and the northern region of the country. Duration of the first phase of  the project, which is the object of this tender, is four years (July 2026 – June 2029). 

Limited to citizens/residents of Moldova. The position is contingent upon IREX being awarded the tender.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide management and general technical direction to civil-society focused activities, including managing implementation plans and working with staff to identify risks and overcome implementation challenges;
• Ensure close coordination with the Team Leader, in order to connect civil society priorities and expertise;
• Develop and maintain effective partnerships across a wide range of civil society, including research partners, monitoring organizations, advocacy groups, and service-oriented organizations; government ministries, agencies and other public institutions; other donors and implementing partners;
• Coordinate closely with media component manager and media activities.
• Identify capacity-building and technical assistance needs of partners, and find ways to address those needs;
• Ensure high quality reporting, documentation, and contributions to monitoring and evaluation;
• Coordinate on the budgeting and financial management of the team’s activities;
• Ensure project activities are implemented on schedule and at high-technical quality;
• Supervise, manage, and develop project staff to be an effective and high-performing team;
• Other duties, as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required; Master’s degree preferred;
• Experience with implementing SDC-funded projects, preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience working in civil society strengthening, civic engagement, human rights, or related field, with experience working with marginalized or vulnerable groups preferred;
• Demonstrated experience increasing civil society’s participation in public policy and designing targeted advocacy strategies.
• Experience implementing programming contributing to social inclusion and/or social cohesion strongly preferred; 
• Successful track record of designing activities; Experience designing and managing subgrants preferred; Experience delivering training preferred;
• Ability to establish strong working relationships civil society, researchers, donors, and other stakeholders;
• Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills;
• Demonstrated ability plan both strategically and creatively to meet project objectives;
• Strong understanding of the political, economic, and social landscape in Moldova; required;
• Proven experience producing high quality reporting and/or communications materials capturing impact;
• Strong representational and organizational skills;
• Fluency in English, Romanian, and Russian is highly preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

IREX seeks to attract the best-qualified candidates who support IREX’s mission and who respect and promote excellence through diversity. 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.