Senior Policy and Education Innovation Manager for Early Grade Education

Senior Policy and Education Innovation Manager for Early Grade Education

Job Announcement

Location: Amman Jordan

Who We Are

For more than 50 years, IREX has delivered results in complex environments. We solve problems through partnership, bridge divides where interests conflict, and develop leaders committed to impact. The youth we empower build stronger economies. The educators we support improve learning for countless students. The critical thinking skills we advance help people make informed decisions about their futures. We approach our work through three horizon goals: leaders bridge divides; learners succeed in the world of work; and people thrive in a technology-, AI-, and data-driven world. 

Job Summary

The Senior Early Grade Policy and Education Innovation Manager will engage with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, regulators, agencies, donors,  university staff, and relevant partners to enhance current policies and incentive structures and to develop relevant and well-aligned systems, policies, and practices across the Early Grade ecosystem in Jordan, including pre- and in-service teacher education, and early grade education delivery.  S/he will engage Program Steering Committees and bi laterals to facilitate policy dialogue; engage early grade system actors in integrating pre- and in-service teacher education systems and policies, using data and AI to drive decision-making, and tackling reforms that maximize return on investment.  S/he will work with key actors in the education system to ensure that relevant governance and policies are in place to support the successful implementation of AI projects and initiatives. 

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

We're looking for our next team member—could it be you?

Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong research background
• Unorthodox thinking and doing
• Demonstrable ability to facilitate stakeholder buy-in and build effective working relationships and coalitions between diverse education stakeholders and their senior leadership.  
• Ability to influence at the highest levels of government and Institutions
• Outstanding verbal and written communication, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, relationship building skills, and the ability to work cooperatively with team members, partner organizations, and stakeholders from government and education sectors. 
• Deep understanding of AI and frontier technologies and their ability to impact educational outcomes and lead innovation
• Detail-oriented and entrepreneurial with ability to multitask and adjust priorities in a fast-paced working environment in order to adhere to strict deadlines. 
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and versatility. 
• Effective oral and written communication credentials.
• Outstanding command of English Language and Arabic is required.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required, Master’s degree required.
• Minimum 10 +years of progressive job experience. or a master’s degree and 9 years of experience building productive multi-stakeholder partnerships, preferably in the education sector.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Jordanian education landscape required.
• Experience of policy manking that draw on a wide range of data sources, and of applying results to inform policy decisions and/or practice.
• Experience with international donor-funded development projects, particularly in Jordan and/or other Middle Eastern countries, is desired. 
• You must have unrestricted authorization to work in Jordan

Your Daily Tasks

Based in Amman and under the guidance of the Chief of Party, the Senior Early Grade Policy and Education Innovation Manager will engage with the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, regulators, agencies, donors,  university staff, and relevant partners to enhance current policies and incentive structures and to develop relevant and well-aligned systems, policies, and practices across the Early Grade ecosystem in Jordan, including pre- and in-service teacher education, and early grade education delivery.  S/he will engage Program Steering Committees and bi laterals to facilitate policy dialogue; engage early grade system actors in integrating pre- and in-service teacher education systems and policies, using data and AI to drive decision-making, and tackling reforms that maximize return on investment.  S/he will work with key actors in the education system to ensure that relevant governance and policies are in place to support the successful implementation of AI projects and initiatives. 

Specific tasks for assigned role include:

• Support the Early Grade PSC Working Groups to develop a GOJ Sustainability Roadmap.
• Support the development of early grade education, action research and data, and ensure that this informs policy development work.
• Lead policy development and implementation that support the improvement of the early grades system
• Lead innovative policy development that seeks to solidify and support AI investments made and being made by the education sector
• Performs additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, or as assigned by supervisor.    

Task and Project Coordination/Management

• Support the work planning process for the program, ensuring policy development activities are well aligned, technically sound and appropriate to meet program objectives.
• Support the management and facilitation of the Program Steering Committees (PSC) and its subgroups as a platform for policy dialogue and data-informed decision making and to drive a flexible and responsive approach to policy reform support.
• Coordinate delivery of needs-based technical assistance to sustain improved early grade systems and policies.
• Support Government of Jordan entities, including universities, to develop and advance reforms to institutionalize high-quality pre- and in-service teacher education.
• Support EGEA’s Collaborating Learning and Adapting (CLA) process, maintaining a data-informed learning culture across responsible areas and fostering a team-wide commitment to monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Demonstrate and promote IREX’s values, management principles and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, in management and mentoring of EGEA team.

Relational Communication 

• Coordinate with program communications team to create outcome-focused materials. 

Partner Engagement / Business Development

• Within this scope, manage staff, consortium partners and activities to identify efficiencies, maximize results, promote sustainability, and ensure that implementation is on schedule, within budget, and responsively adapting to changes and lessons learned throughout.
• Work with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, and other Government of Jordan stakeholders, alongside relevant partners, to improve coordination and data-driven decision making that strengthens policies, processes, and systems.
• In collaboration with relevant partners, conduct assessments to understand the inhibiting and enabling factors affecting the quality of pre- and in-service teacher preparation in Jordan.
• Manage project partners, including oversight of technical deliverables.

Teamwork and Leadership

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to EGEA’s policy development support; supporting the GoJ to develop an effective policy framework that supports outcomes under both Result 1 (Improved quality of early grade pre-service education programs) and Result 2 (Strengthened quality of early grade student education).
• Lead development of PSC Early Grade Working Groups to co-design Action Plans for Early Grade Policy
• Work in close coordination with the senior management to ensure seamless alignment between preservice and in-service program components, and the policy environment.

Additional Perks:

At IREX, you’ll work alongside committed, passionate, and collaborative colleagues who are united by a shared mission—making it a truly rewarding place to work. We offer learning, development, and growth opportunities, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being.

Please note: While we aim to offer competitive compensation, not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.

Disability Specifications

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IREX seeks to attract the best-qualified candidates who support IREX’s mission and who respect and promote excellence through diversity. IREX is committed to equal opportunity and follows recruitment and selection practices that comply with all applicable employment laws. To this end, IREX recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals based on merit and experience.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

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