Senior Advocacy Specialist, Information & Media Practice at IREX in Washington, Washington DC

Job Description:

IREX


Job Category: Information & Media Practice
Requisition Number: SENIO003118

November 4, 2024
Full-Time | On-site
Sri Lanka | Colombo, LKA

Job Details

Description

ABOUT IREX

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.

Position Purpose Summary

Support the management of programs assigned to a specific country, responsible for the development of program work products, including but not limited to program timelines, budgets, reports, and other products as identified. In some cases, one may be responsible for an entire program, as assigned by Practice Leadership. May also be

Under the supervision of the Deputy Program Director the Advocacy Specialist will be the focal point in programs dealing with media advocacy organizations in Sri Lanka. The Advocacy Specialist will offer expertise in the Sri Lanka’s media ecosystem, have strong ties to the media community and be able to design and implement targeted initiatives to enable freedom of expression and strengthen journalists’ rights in Sri Lanka.

Summary of Responsibilities

Provide technical support and inputs to an assigned program(s) or project. Responsible for the contributing, creating, and guiding the work associated with project outputs; to include but not limited to program design, required products, gathering, drafting, and creating workflow plans, budgets, internal/external reports, presentations, and other documents/deliverables as identified. Responsible for the development of written communications by drafting, approving, and sending correspondence.

• Focal point for all IREX Media Advocacy work, liaising with the relevant stakeholders in Sri Lanka.
• Provide support in implementing PRO-INFO activities through partner organizations in accordance with approved work plans.
• Draft, review and finalize complex documents such as monthly, quarterly and annual reports, training materials, statements of work, narratives for service agreements, evaluations etc.
• Provide grant management and monitoring support as directed by the Deputy Program Director.
• Establish partnerships between key players in the Sri Lankan media ecosystem, experts and government officials.

Budget, Finance & Project Compliance:

At the direction of project leadership, independently and accurately perform financial administration tasks (check requests, sub-award approval level, etc.). Make independent decisions about the type of information needed to populate a given document consistent with policies. May have the authority to sign for approval for smaller amounts as defined by the project.

• Review project deliverables from partner organizations, service providers, individual consultants and provide constructive feedback and in order to maintain the standards required.
• Contribute to budget management, monitoring, and agreement compliance and provide input on administrative documents such as memorandums of understanding.
• Maintain complete records and a database of activities including meetings, consultations, trainings and information required for monitoring and evaluation reporting. asked to assume the responsibilities of the Program Officer to meet the needs of the program(s).

Teamwork and Leadership

Ensures fellow team members can articulate how project work aligns with program or practice 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. Seeks

opportunities to encourage team members, to create more efficient processes and workflows that improve overall program. Takes ownership of the decisions and actions. Mentors Coordinators who direct the work of interns.

• Mentor program staff on media advocacy efforts in Sri Lanka.
• Support the program staff to achieve the program objectives.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to Program Officers, Coordinators and Assistants.

Living IREX Values

Doers: Fosters a team culture that eagerly seeks opportunities to improve process that improves client outcomes. Leads by example, jumps and helps team to get the job done in the name of project successes; celebrate team members who go above and beyond. Accountable for establishing and honoring client deadlines and proactively works with client and managers to adjust as needed. Publicly takes ownership of program(s), celebrating the positive and learning from the challenges.

Impact Driven: Challenges team to push beyond the obvious answers to find impactful solutions that deliver balance between cost-effective and greatest potential.

Empathetic: Encourages team to proactively seek feedback from customers (internal or external) and integrate into work product. Adapts approach and style to ensure effective collaboration and outcomes.

Forward-lookers: Fosters team culture that embraces experimenting and implementing learning into daily work. Adopts a coaching-mindset and helps team members create a practice of self-reflection.

Inclusive: Intentionally seeks to develop a diverse staff/team though hiring and retention efforts. Encourages productive conflict, and encourages a collaborative, inclusive workstyle. Understands how team objectives fit into larger IREX objectives.

Strategic Learning Triangle

Learning for Them: Proactively attend industry events that have direct program impact.

Learning for Us: Seeks opportunities to deepen understanding of the work, goals, and mission of IREX.

Learning for Me: Seeks opportunities that expand professional knowledge and skills. Develops a habit of sharing insights on best practices, approaches, lessons learned, industry trends with colleagues.

Skills & Experience

• Minimum three to five years of working experience in media development, with a focus on media advocacy.
• Demonstrated ties to the media community.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Past experience working on a large donor funded program. USAID experience is preferred.

• Strong experience and knowledge of program implementation, partner and grant management, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Fluency in English is required. Proficiency in Sinhala and Tamil is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills required, as well as the ability to work independently and in a team.
• Strong work ethic, ability to work in a multicultural environment, work remotely and travel outside Colombo.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office software applications, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.

Only citizens of Sri Lanka or permanent residents with work authorization will be considered.
This position is contingent on funding

Work Environment

All employees are responsible for their own safety, as well as that of others in the workplace. To help us maintain a safe workplace, everyone must be always safety conscious. This position is performed in a typical office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and vehicles. Safe use of IREX equipment, as well as safe practices while on IREX property is essential.

EEO Statement

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 without regard to color, race, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or age.

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