Guatemala Virtual Exchange Consultant

Position title: Guatemala Virtual Exchange Consultant
Reports to: Senior Program Officer II, Amaris Mohammed, IREX  
Location: Guatemala 

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. 

Through the World Smarts Changemakers project, IREX, in collaboration with partners in Guatemala, will engage U.S. and Guatemalan middle and high school youth in a virtual exchange program that aims to develop global competence, problem-solving and English-Spanish language skills. The project will connect a total of 1140 Guatemalan and U.S. intermediate students and 60 educators in cross-cultural teams via community-based activities to collaboratively discuss and design sustainable solutions that address real-world local problems based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Binational teams will be engaged in a 9-week project-based learning curriculum, the World Smarts Changemakers, where they interact and collaborate through digital technologies (Zoom, Padlet, etc.).

POSITION SUMMARY 
IREX seeks qualified candidates to provide program implementation support and administrative coordination in Guatemala for the World Smarts Changemakers project. The Guatemala Virtual Exchange Consultant will be responsible for the coordination and monitoring of progress with the local implementing partner and liaising between IREX team members in Washington D.C. on reporting and compliance issues in addition to day-to-day management of World Smarts Changemakers project activities.

In close coordination with the IREX Senior Program Officer II based in Washington D.C., the consultant will lead components of the World Smarts Changemakers project in Guatemala, including 1) providing oversight and technical insight, for the Guatemalan context, to project phases; 2) facilitating communication, on project implementation, between project partners, local stakeholders, and the D.C. office; and 3) monitoring reporting and compliance issues for day-to-day programming. The Virtual Exchange Consultant will use contextualized knowledge of Guatemala’s education sector to inform the project workplan, in particular, adaptation of the project workplan and approaches to community engagement.

This consultancy will begin in June 2024, and last for approximately two months with the possibility of an extension of up to one month, depending on project needs. For any work required beyond the agreed upon consultancy period (approximately six months), a consultancy modification will be required to extend the time period and potential scope of work and deliverables, depending on the interest and/or ability of both parties. IREX can hire the Virtual Exchange Consultant up to 12 months without further competition (or up to 3 years based on IREX Procurement Policy). Applications for this role will be considered and reviewed on a rolling basis.

Citizens of Guatemala are highly encouraged to apply. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

In close coordination with the IREX Senior Program Officer II, the consultant will:

• Be responsible for the administration of World Smarts Changemakers project activities in Guatemala.
• Support logistical preparation for program travel and for virtual and in-person events.
• Support with facilitation of training of trainers to educators and volunteers.
• Coordinate virtual exchange milestones and tracks program process.
• Support implementation of the virtual exchange program workplan, as directed by the Senior Program Officer II based in Washington, DC.
• Support budget tracking for project phases and activities.

Partner Engagement will include:

• Serve as point of contact for Guatemalan community-based organization (CBO).
• Join headquarter leadership virtually in Washington DC, as the Point of Contact, in project meetings to increase awareness and relationship building.

Additional Responsibilities, as needed:

• Provide the IREX team with up-to-date information for project planning as requested (any changes to academic year and holidays, etc.).
• Document and present findings and recommendations in a clear, concise, and usable written report format and provide updates, either written or oral, to the Senior Program Officer II and programming staff, senior management, and other relevant staff, as available.
• Supporting day to day implementation of the World Smarts Changemakers project in Guatemala.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Travel to training site in Guatemala City, could be required.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS 

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor's degree.
• 2 - 5 years of experience supporting international and/or community development programs with a focus on adolescent youth, advantageous if specific expertise in Guatemala context.
• Strong command of English and Spanish is required.
• Proven experience managing multiple administrative tasks in a demanding, time sensitive work environment.
• Proficient with technology and virtual communication platforms (i.e., Microsoft Office, Zoom, etc.)
• Experience developing and supporting teachers, mentors, and youth programming is advantageous.
• Passion for education and supporting equitable opportunities for students.
• Demonstrated skills for integration of equity and inclusion issues into age-appropriate activities for youth, including interactive training curricula, highly desired.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Written, oral, and virtual communication skills for a range of stakeholders including local government officials, school administrators, teachers, youth, and colleagues.
• Analytical skill with the ability to be flexible and solutions/detail oriented.
• Proven cross-cultural sensitivity and interpersonal communication skills in collaborative programming.
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and versatility. 
• Ability to multitask, organize, and prioritize in a fast-paced working environment.
• Professionalism in written correspondence and report writing.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit a resume and a cover letter that includes your daily/hourly rate requirements with your application. Professional writing samples that reflect ability or experience in report writing may also be submitted and are highly encouraged. Please provide your expected salary rate and 2-3 professional references that IREX may contact should your application be short-listed. Applications for this role will be considered and reviewed on a rolling basis.