Chief of Party, Safeguarding Moldova's Digital Transformation

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 qualified Chief of Party (COP) candidates to lead Safeguarding Moldova's Digital Transformation, an anticipated five-year USAID-funded digital democracy program in Moldova. This program is designed to strengthen the capacity of civic actors and ensure alignment with respect for human rights and democratic values and design of digital technology. The COP will be responsible for technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall activity coordination. S/he will serve as the principal institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders. S/he will manage staff and ensure the program achieves stated goals and results, meets reporting requirements, ensures quality, timeliness, and that objectives are met within budget.

This position is contingent on funding.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Provide overall technical and administrative leadership and expertise and serve as the primary liaison with USAID on management and technical matters.

Responsible for administering and managing the activity's implementation and is responsible for assuring that all assistance provided is technically sound and appropriate to meet activity objectives.

Responsible for all aspects of coordination and communication, including relationships with a wide range of key stakeholders including the Moldovan government, EU, human rights organizations, other donors and implementers, civil society and private sector partners, and other potential implementing partners.

Provide strategic and technical leadership to the program, including a comprehensive vision for transformational outcomes for the activity’s intermediate results.

Supervise the work of all organizations (sub-awardees) and government officials engaged under the activity.

Oversee program budgeting and forecasting, financial management, compliance and subgrants management.

Oversee monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting to ensure the program adapts as needed to meet objectives and learning is acquired and shared broadly to maximize impact and sustainability.

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

Supervise, manage, and mentor program staff, lead recruitment of specialized technical staff.

Ensure that IREX’s safety and security policies and procedures are applied to all program and staff operations.

Represent IREX publicly and support its organizational development.

Other duties, as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree required and master’s degree highly preferred, preferably in ICT, international development, social sciences, or a related field.

Minimum of 15+ years of relevant experience, including 10 years of progressive international experience working in the digital development space and/or civil society, preferably in Eastern Europe.

Experience in Moldova is preferred.

Successful track record of supervising, designing, managing, and implementing complex donor-funded projects (with strong preference for past USAID-funded project management experience).

Demonstrated ability to advise host country contacts at the ministerial level and create and maintain effective working relations with international and local stakeholders, NGOs, local partners, and U.S. Government Agencies.

Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials, international donors, industry, and other stakeholders.

A strong understanding of the Moldovan country context, including history of digital development, local governance, etc.

Demonstrated ability to oversee budgets and effectively plan both strategically and creatively to meet program objectives on time and on budget.

Proven leadership qualities and excellent management skills.

Strong public speaking and organizational skills.

Excellent communication and writing ability in English required, proficiency in Romanian preferred.

Work authorization in Moldova.