Senior Lead for Sustainability, Innovation,

Who We Are

At IREX we support individuals and institutions to create change in their own communities—and to create person to person bridges between nations.

IREX works 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.

IREX in Ukraine seeks a qualified Senior Lead for Sustainability, Innovation and Education.

As the Senior Lead for Sustainability, Innovation and Education (hereinafter Senior Lead), you will report to the Senior Project Director and support the development, production, and dissemination of high-quality programs and activities aimed at restoring youth access to education, which has been affected by the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine.

The primary responsibility of the position will be the implementation of educational activities and the provision of technical expertise in the field of formal and non-formal education in ways that transfer from program responsibility to stakeholder responsibility. Collaboration with the Senior Technical Advisor, Senior Program Manager, and MEL Officer will be essential to ensure smooth coordination and execution of project activities. Key responsibilities include working closely with project partners, including the Ministry of Education and Sciences, trainers, and other education sector stakeholders. You will attend and monitor training activities across Ukraine and be responsible for coordinating the work of trainers, teachers, regional project representatives, vendors, etc. Travel throughout Ukraine may be required.

Furthermore, you will represent L2D within networks of key stakeholders in the Ukrainian education sector, attend sector-related working groups and meetings.

The ideal candidate takes pride in his or her work and is able to work independently as well as work closely and cooperatively with others to solve problems and find solutions. She or he will handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidentiality, has a strong work ethic.

IREX and L2D values.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Daily Tasks

• Support the Senior Project Director by providing day-to-day technical and administrative management of the program to ensure objectives and targets are achieved.
• Provide technical expertise to staff and partners on strengthening educational programming, including teacher training, online pedagogy, and innovative approaches for educators and students.
• Provide overall oversight and ensure the successful implementation of the Ambassadors Program. Lead L2D Ambassador and other stakeholders to identify sustainable solutions for meeting the program objectives.
• Guide and promote the Digital Labyrinth initiative, the updated Very Verified course, and ensure the sustainability of the online course on integrating media literacy into school education.
• Drive innovation in the development and use of resources created under the L2D project.
• Provide oversight for the coordination of activities under the Academy of Ukrainian Press subgrant, ensuring effective implementation and alignment with program goals.
• Ensuring the implementation of a survey among teachers to identify the number of students familiar with materials on healthy media consumption (Lessons Lab).
• Organize a two-day final conference for teachers.
• Contribute to the design, implementation, and quality control of in-person and online program activities aimed at strengthening both formal and non-formal education sectors.
• Coordinate with L2D partners implementing education sector activities, provide programmatic feedback and recommendations, and ensure progress toward key results.
• Track and analyze work plan activity progress toward project objectives.
• Oversee and monitor program activities in accordance with the approved work plan, ensuring efficiency, quality, and timely delivery.
• Coordinate with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist to ensure effective tracking, evaluation, and reporting of program results.
• Provide oversight of day-to-day program spending related to areas of oversight, ensuring budget discipline and compliance in close collaboration with the IREX Ukraine finance team.
• Draft program reports, updates, success stories, and other communication materials; support the Senior Project Director in producing high-quality communication outputs.
• Approve payments within the L2D–Ed project up to the $1,000 ceiling, ensuring that expenses are within budget and allowable.
• Identify needs for external consultants, manage their selection and onboarding, oversee their work, and ensure quality deliverables, including necessary MEL data collection.
• Lead the development and implementation of post-training opportunities and experiences for program audiences.
• Create and implement professional development plans for teachers and, in coordination with partners, ensure delivery of relevant programs for educators and students.
• Maintain effective collaboration with program partners, subgrantees, the Ministry of Education and Science, opinion leaders, government officials, educators, school administrators, trainers, civil society, media representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Travel frequently throughout Ukraine to attend, monitor, and participate in program events and meetings.
• Mitigate potential project risks by establishing systems and procedures in coordination with staff supervised by the Senior Project Director.
• Represent IREX publicly and contribute to the organization's development.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Please note that the general duties and responsibilities may be further adjusted based on the specific requirements and priorities of the program.

Your Background & Skills

• At least three years of experience in the education sector strengthening or a relevant field, such as setting up career orientation programs for students or implementing professional development programs for educators.
• A degree in international development, public administration, education, management, communications, or other relevant field is preferred.
• Understanding of the formal education sector in Ukraine, its developmental needs, and perspectives.
• Demonstrated success in maintaining excellent collaborations with teachers, higher education institutes, government agencies, and partner organizations, and the ability to establish productive relationships with teachers, government officials, and opinion leaders at national and local levels.
• Proven experience in educational curriculum design and delivery would be an advantage.
• Portfolio of successfully implemented projects or interventions that improved educational sector outcomes (e.g., student enrollment, retention and graduation rates; teacher retention and promotion rates; curricular reforms) would be an advantage.
• Experience with trauma-informed classroom behavior management approaches and student mental health and well-being innovations would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to cooperate with partner organizations and establish productive relationships with government officials and opinion leaders at national and local levels.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of positive youth development, human-centered design, and Do No Harm approaches is a plus.
• Strong command of spoken/written English, Ukrainian.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities and complete tasks/projects in accordance with stated deadlines.
• Able to work independently and as a team member, with the ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, and be flexible.
• Strong presentation skills: ability to write and present information concisely.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to travel (contingent upon the actual epidemiological situation and based on security recommendations provided by IREX and the Government).
• Ukrainian citizenship or residency with work authorization is required.

IREX conducts anti- terrorism database clearances on candidates who accept employment offers. IREX is also an E-Verify Employer.

IREX is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and inclusive hiring practice. IREX is an equal opportunity employer.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for remote work.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

#LI-EL1