Project Director, Egypt AI Workforce and EdTech Advancement Program

Position Summary
IREX seeks an experienced and visionary Project Director to lead an anticipated U.S. Department of State-funded program that will strengthen Egypt's AI workforce pipeline and expand the adoption of technology-enabled learning in K-12 education.

The project will support Egypt's long-term economic competitiveness by improving digital literacy, STEM learning, AI readiness, workforce skills development, and connections between educational institutions and industry. The program will engage Egyptian government counterparts, public schools, universities, technical institutions, U.S. technology companies, and private-sector employers to build sustainable pathways from classroom learning to high-value employment opportunities in emerging technology sectors.

The Project Director will provide strategic, technical, financial, and operational leadership for a large-scale, multi-year program. The individual will serve as IREX's primary liaison to the donor, Egyptian government counterparts, and other senior stakeholders, ensuring high-quality implementation and measurable results.

Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall strategic vision and leadership for the program.
• Ensure integration between the program's K-12 education and workforce development components.
• Lead annual work planning, adaptive management, and learning processes.
• Ensure program implementation remains aligned with donor and Egyptian government’s priorities.

Government Engagement

• Serve as the principal liaison with relevant Egyptian government institutions.
• Foster productive relationships with ministries responsible for education, higher education, communications, workforce development, and innovation.
• Support government ownership and long-term sustainability of project outcomes.

Technical Leadership

• Oversee implementation of activities related to:
  • Digital literacy and STEM education.
  • AI and emerging technologies.
  • EdTech deployment and adoption.
  • Teacher professional development.
  • Workforce development and employability.
  • University-industry partnerships.
  • Career services and job placement systems.
• Ensure technical quality and evidence-based implementation across all workstreams.

Private Sector and Partnership Development

• Build relationships with U.S. technology companies, local employers, universities, and industry associations.
• Lead efforts to connect training pipelines with labor market opportunities.
• Promote partnerships that increase access to technology, certifications, internships, and employment opportunities.
• Support collaboration between Egyptian institutions and U.S. higher education and technology partners.

Program Management

• Oversee project staff, consultants, subcontractors, and partners.
• Ensure timely achievement of deliverables and performance targets.
• Manage project budgets, financial forecasts, and resource allocation.
• Ensure effective coordination across all technical and operational functions.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• Oversee implementation of the project's MEL framework.
• Ensure rigorous collection and analysis of performance data.
• Promote evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management.
• Lead preparation and submission of required donor reports.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with U.S. government regulations and award requirements.
• Oversee subaward management and partner compliance.
• Ensure effective security, safeguarding, and risk mitigation practices.
• Maintain high standards of financial accountability and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Master's degree in Education, Workforce Development, Technology Management, Public Policy, International Development, Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

Experience

• At least 12 years of progressively responsible experience managing donor-funded international development projects.
• At least 7 years of senior leadership experience overseeing large and complex education, workforce development, digital transformation, or technology-focused programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing U.S. government-funded projects.
• Experience managing projects valued at $10 million or greater.
• Demonstrated experience working with ministries of education, higher education institutions, and workforce development stakeholders.
• Experience developing partnerships with private-sector employers and technology companies.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.

Technical Expertise
Candidates should demonstrate expertise in several of the following areas:

• AI and emerging technologies.
• Education technology (EdTech).
• K-12 education reform.
• Teacher training and professional development.
• STEM education.
• Workforce development and employability.
• Technical and vocational education.
• Higher education partnerships.
• Career services and workforce transition programs.
• Digital transformation initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in Egypt.
• Experience working across the Middle East and North Africa region.
• Arabic language proficiency.
• Experience collaborating with major U.S. technology companies.
• Experience supporting national digital transformation or AI workforce strategies.
• Experience leading large-scale education system strengthening initiatives.

Core Competencies

• Strategic leadership
• Education systems strengthening
• AI and digital transformation
• Workforce development
• Partnership building
• Government relations
• Financial stewardship
• Adaptive management
• Results orientation
• Team leadership
• Stakeholder engagement