Вакансія: Social Cohesion Lead (SCL)

Location: Kyiv, Ukraine

Group/Practice/Unit: Communities & Governance 

Who We Are 

At IREX we strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people and communities thrive. 

But around the globe, persistent poverty, repression, and injustice prevent too many people from achieving their full potential. To address these problems, we focus on people, not on vaccines, roads, or wells. 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 is seeking a qualified and responsible professional with strong program management skills and a deep understanding of project implementation processes to join our team as a Social Cohesion Lead in the UNITY Civic Engagement and Social Cohesion team. As a Social Cohesion Lead, you will oversee and implement experiential learning activities, events, and exchanges to engage youth in promoting respect for diversity, understanding the role of media and disinformation in creating divisive or connecting narratives, and amplifying the benefits of cohesive and welcoming environments. She or he will design and lead the implementation of age-appropriate social cohesion programming for UNITY through Positive Youth Development lens, control the quality and timeliness of all programmatic deliverables under Objective 3: Youth drive Ukraine’s pluralism and respect for diversity. SCL will oversee subgrantees, contracted and on-staff technical experts and specialists responsible for activities in this thematic area, including direct supervision of Program Officer, Non-Formal Education Specialist, Program Coordinator, and Program Assistant by ensuring that adequate support, mentoring, and coaching is available, and roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. 

The SCL will lead the efforts of creating meaningful engagement opportunities for youth and promotion of dialog and conflict mitigation. She or he will liaise with UNITY technical experts and implementing partners to create synergy among youth engagement, economic opportunities, and youth centers network, as well as contribute to strategic communication that leverages youth engagement and helps promote democratic and pluralistic values. 

If you are passionate about empowering youth, possess strong program management skills, and are dedicated to promoting pluralism and diversity in Ukraine, we encourage you to apply for this position.

Currently, the work under this position can be done remotely. The position will be based in Kyiv once the security situation allows.

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 problem-solve and find solutions. She or he will handle sensitive issues with discretion and confidentiality, has a strong work ethic, and is committed to IREX and UNITY 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 Background & Skills 

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Minimum 5+ years of progressive job experience or a master’s degree and 3+ years of experience.
• Experience of leading project teams to deliver results.
• Experience of working in donor-funded projects would be an asset.
• Experience of programmatic oversight of grants is desirable.
• Experience of developing the social cohesion curricula would be an asset.
• Portfolio of successfully implemented projects or interventions that increase social cohesion for youth would be an advantage.
• Strong project management skills and ability to design, plan, and oversee activities and interventions that lead to achieving program goals.
• Strong problem-solving skills demonstrated flexibility to meet program outcomes, and ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to track and manage budgets and plan both strategically and creatively to meet project objectives.  
• Knowledge of social cohesion and/or media literacy in Ukraine as it relates to youth–needs, challenges, stakeholders, resources, and institutions.
• Strong leadership and partner coordination skills.
• Strong presentation skills: ability to write and present information concisely.
• Strong command of spoken and written English, and Ukrainian. Excellent cross-cultural and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Self-motivated and result oriented.
• Awareness on gender equality and inclusion approach.
• Ability to travel (contingent upon actual security recommendations provided by IREX and Government).
• Ukrainian citizenship or residency with work authorization is required. 

Your Daily Tasks 

Designs and leads the implementation of age-appropriate social cohesion programming for UNITY through Positive Youth Development lens. Controls the quality and timeliness of all programmatic deliverables under Objective 3. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Oversee planning, implementation, follow-up activities, assessment and lessons learned of the activities;
• Ensure that activities under Objectives 3 are grounded in data- and learning-driven adaptation processes.
• Ensure that proposed program activities under Objective 3 are not duplicative of other efforts of other programs and implementers.
• Identify needs for external consultants, organize their selection and onboarding, oversee their work, ensure quality performance and data collection for MEL purposes.
• Lead the work with subgrantees: design calls for applications to identify subgrantees for select interventions, provide programmatic oversight to the subgrantee activities, review and approve programmatic reports, coordinate with MEL team on project indicator data collection.
• Spearhead curricula development and oversee the implementation of training and other formats of non-formal education opportunities, ensuring follow-up and post-training engagement for program target audiences.
• Lead the development and implementation of post-training opportunities and experiences for program audiences.
• Provide technical assistance in areas of expertise.
• Propose and pilot interventions for and with youth to amplify UNITY competencies.
• Draft program reports, updates, success stories, and other documentation and reporting related to program activities.
• Performs additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, or as assigned by supervisor. 

Relational Communication

In partnership with project and practice leadership, facilitates key stakeholders’ relationships in country. Represents IREX to external stakeholders by speaking about project and practices initiatives. Regularly shares relevant information in support of organization-wide collaboration. Supports the development of written communications by drafting, approving, and sending correspondence and manages shareholder relationships with the guidance and/or approval of program management. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Draft and send correspondence to stakeholders, including emails, letters, memos, and other forms of communication.
• Interact with key stakeholders, partners, and fellow IREX employees to exchange information, provide updates, and address inquiries or concerns.
• Participate in thematic working groups, communities of practices, cross-project activities.
• Seek guidance and/or obtain approval from supervisors or relevant team members before engaging with stakeholders, particularly in sensitive or important matters. 

Partner Engagement / Business Development

Leads and coordinates the renewal process in regional/country of responsibility. Leads with support from new program development for the country of responsibility. Supports one or more areas of the proposal development process; to include, but not limited to proposal strategy, writing, and/or review. Supports and coordinates country partner outreach and requested; gather market intelligence specific to regional/country of responsibility. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Responsible for building and maintaining diverse and robust UNITY network.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with civil society, youth groups, opinion leaders, educational institutions, government officials, and other program stakeholders. 

Budget, Financial and Project Compliance

Responsible for financial management of a specific countries office(s).  Ensures compliance with policies and is accountable for the compliance and financial integrity of a given project(s) at the Project Director level. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Ensure budget discipline for the portion of budgets allocated for Objective 3. 

Teamwork and Leadership

Ensures team can articulate how project and program work aligns with project and practices area goals and objectives. Delegates relevant work and provide clear and measurable guidance. Proactively seeks feedback from team members and use information to make informed, relevant decision for projects, programs, and client. Partners with team members to co-create solutions, solve problems, and devise actions. Seeks opportunities to encourage team members, to create more efficient processes and workflows that improve overall program or project. Takes ownership of the decisions and actions. Mentors Coordinators and Specialist who direct the work of others. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Oversee the work of Objective 3 team;
• Liaise with Youth Centers Manager, Youth Economic Opportunities Lead, Civic Engagement Lead, Strategic Communication Manager, Policy and Engagement Advisor, and GESI Expert to ensure coordination and programmatic synergy.
• Work closely with Subgrants and Procurement teams to ensure that all processes and procedures are followed in relations to subgranting and procurement of services under Objective 3.
• In conjunction with COP and DCOP, work to identify priority areas for cooperation with GOU and private sector stakeholders, lead collaboration to advocate for systemic changes in the determined areas.
• Support IREX’s staff professional development. 

TO APPLY

Please visit: https://recruiting.ultipro.com/INT1065INRE/JobBoard/86f30819-0126-446a-84bb-cf37a5e878c1/OpportunityDetail?opportunityId=04083345-f0f7-4d88-a8ed-9e121b2dbc2c.

Only complete applications will be considered. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

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

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.

All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. AA/EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled