Higher Education for Innovation (HEI) Relationship Officer

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $100 million and more than 600 staff worldwide, we work 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 seeks qualified Higher Education for Innovation (HEI) Relationship Officers to support a five-year USAID-funded Activity in Jordan. This activity aims to strengthen the core functions of higher education institutions (HEIs) and support effective and sustainable collaboration among HEIs, industry, and government stakeholders to improve teaching and learning, research, and innovation.

Based in Amman, and under the supervision of the Performance Improvement Senior Manager, the HEI Relationship Officer will be responsible for organizing and administering the program’s day to day technical activities such as university selection, provision of resources and technical assistance to universities, convenings of working groups, workshops, trainings and events in close coordination with the technical team. They will be responsible for maintaining productive relationships with HEIG’s university partners.

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 Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field (e.g., innovation, economics, education, international development, or related fields).
• At least 3 years of experience working in a non-profit organization and/or managing international education programs, preferably with a focus on research development, private sector engagement, workforce development, professional training/development and higher education.
• Experience maintaining positive relationships with external stakeholders and partners.
• Experience creating, managing, and monitoring program workplans and budgets.
• Experience supporting university – private sector engagement preferred.
• Experience supporting capacity strengthening efforts in higher education settings preferred.
• Familiarity with USAID awards preferred; experience supporting and managing subawards preferred.
• Experience working with monitoring and evaluation systems preferred.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills with demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity.
• Professionalism in written correspondence and report writing, excellent presentation and oral communication skills in Arabic and English.
• Ability to work in a positive, solutions-oriented way independently and collaboratively with others on a team.
• Research skills preferred, especially rapid desk reviews, facilitation of capacity assessments and conducting interviews.
• Strong computer skills and proven track record in the advanced use of modern communications tools, internet, email, social media, and teleconferences.
• Detail-oriented with ability to multitask and adjust priorities in a fast-paced working environment in order to adhere to strict deadlines.
• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Jordan.

Your Daily Tasks

• Assist with startup activities, including establishing relevant systems for work planning, tracking progress, processes, etc.
• Support the technical team in all aspects of program implementation to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables including university selection and provision of resources and technical assistance to universities across core functions (teaching and learning, research and knowledge transfer).
• Support the Performance Improvement Senior Manager in the effective support and management of HEIs and participants.
• Contribute to and manage the production of program deliverables including reports, technical products, training materials, handbooks, templates, and guides, including content development, formatting, and proofreading.
• Provide input into the development of external materials and strategic planning sessions.
• Support the technical team and partners in the production of accurate and nuanced technical assessments.
• Ensure that all assigned programmatic and administrative deliverables are achieved by the established deadlines.
• Contribute to program monitoring, evaluation, learning, and data management efforts.
• Provide administrative support to the technical team including budget tracking, preparation of consultant scopes of work and contracts.
• Track and analyze work plan activity, progress toward project objectives and track and analyze project indicator data.
• Support HEIG exchange participants identification and selection process.
• Support exchange participants through the pre-arrival administrative process.
• Travel throughout Jordan, as appropriate.
• With guidance from the Performance Improvement Snr. Manager, maintain day-to-day communication with HEIs and ensure delivery of relevant information and deliverables as required.
• Under the supervision of the Performance Improvement Senior Manager, liaise with key stakeholders and support university core functions.
• Support network development through and serve as an active connector for the program’s eventual network of participants, HEIs, and other stakeholders, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the program’s communications efforts, including success stories, and program reports.
• Support the identification of HEIs in alignment with HEIG outcomes.
• Collaborate with HEIs and consortium partner staff to leverage resources and expertise for program success.
• Track program expenditures and monitor program budgets for participants or grants recipients.
• Assist with financial tracking, procurement, payment processing, and reconciliation.
• Support the execution of all types of agreements with HEIs, ensuring compliance and quality deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Telework. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time Jordan-based staff who works from a worksite outside the Jordan office for one or more days a week.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

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