Senior Media Lead, Information & Media Practice

IREX seeks to hire a Senior Media Lead (SML) who will lead and drive management activities within the Civil Society and Media – Strengthened Together and Advancing in New Directions (CSM-STAND) initiative as well as to play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic vision and contributing to new business development in the realms of media and information access.

On the program management side, the Senior Media Lead will be accountable for the successful operation of all IREX CSM-STAND funded projects (Associate Awards), as well as responsible for managing the programs financial information, developing strategic initiatives, and staff’s time allocation. Will be responsible for setting up sustainable systems for successful start-up and strategic reporting to donors.

Responsibilities

• Lead a dynamic team responsible for implementing the Associate Awards under CSM-STAND program globally.
• Serve as a senior-level focal point for problem identification, associate award knowledge management, customer satisfaction, and cross-associate award learning.
• Provide strategic insights for internal and external reports, presentations, and other deliverables.
• Lead presentations with donors and key partners.
• Contribute to data analysis, and program evaluation efforts.
• Provide leadership support for various activities under the Leader Award of CSM-STAND, enhancing visibility to USAID and democracy and governance partners.
• Offer guidance on media development and healthy information ecosystems within CSM-STAND activities.
• Manage high level partnerships as part of the CSM-STAND consortia for effective program implementation.
• Develop strategies to optimise program management across diverse activities.
• Lead active engagement with USAID, collaborating closely with both Leader and (potential) Associate Award Officer Representatives.
• Develop and nurture strategic partnerships that amplify the impact of IREX’s work. Forge connections with like-minded organizations, institutions, and stakeholders.
• Represents IREX at meetings with donors, partners, and events.
• Support internal and external program communication efforts, ensuring clarity and consistency in messaging.
• Take the lead in correspondence with key stakeholders, demonstrating diplomacy and professionalism.
• Spearhead significant components of IREX’s CSM-STAND outreach strategy, ensuring alignment with program goals and USAID priorities with dotted reporting relationship with the Strategy and Development Group.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) related to media development, international affairs, public policy or similar.
• 12 + years of progressive experience.
• Proven experience managing multiple administrative tasks in a demanding, time sensitive work environment.
• Proven knowledge of USAID procurement and financial regulations preferred.
• Proven experience of managing large, diverse international teams.
• Proven experience working on international media development, access to information or civil society strengthening.
• Proven experience making substantial contributions to successful new awards.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, complex donor-funded international development programs.
• Experience presenting program results, conducting research and ability to proficiently articulate findings in the English language.
• Proactive and comfortable with contemporary digital platforms for collaboration and communication.
• Proficient in Microsoft office products, including and especially Excel.
• Clear, succinct and compelling communication skills, both oral and written.
• Outstanding interpersonal and intercultural skills.
• Exceptional time management, multitasking, and organizational skills.
• Understanding and experience using social media and digital activism tools and strategies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion internally and pluralism and democratic principles externally.
• Proficient knowledge (speaking/reading/writing) of either French, Spanish, Arabic or Russian required.
• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

How to apply

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