Education Policy Advisor

Who We Are

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. We work in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

Job Summary

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?

The Education Policy Advisor will play a strategic leadership role in driving Jordan's education system transformation. Based in Amman and reporting to the Senior Policy and Systems Manager, this position will lead and oversee the design and implementation of policy and systems-level reforms under the Early Grade Education Activity (EGEA). The Advisor will guide efforts to strengthen early grade education delivery, teacher preparation, licensing, higher education reform, and system-level accountability across Jordan.

This role serves as a senior technical advisor to government partners, including the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR), and the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC), among others. The Advisor will provide high-level strategic guidance, foster stakeholder consensus, and ensure alignment of reforms with national priorities and global best practices.

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

Knowledge & Skills

• Deep technical expertise in education policy, governance, and large-scale reform strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead policy design and provide high-level strategic advice to senior government counterparts and development partners.
• Proven track record of translating complex evidence and data into actionable policy recommendations that influence decision-making.
• Significant experience engaging with Jordanian education institutions, ministries, and regulatory bodies to drive systemic change.
• Exceptional policy research, analysis, and writing skills, with the ability to produce high-quality briefs, frameworks, and advocacy products.
• Skilled at leading and overseeing multiple policy workstreams across government, academia, and civil society stakeholders.
• Ability to manage sensitive political dynamics and influence diverse stakeholders toward consensus and reform adoption.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in both English and Arabic, with the ability to represent the program effectively at senior-level forums.

 Requirements

• Master's degree required in education, public policy, international development, or a related field (PhD preferred).
• Minimum of 7–8 years of progressive experience in education policy, systems reform, or governance, with increasing leadership responsibilities.
• Extensive knowledge of Jordan's education ecosystem, including teacher preparation, licensing, school leadership, higher education governance, and accountability mechanisms.
• Demonstrated experience leading policy processes and influencing reform agendas at national or sectoral levels.
• Prior experience managing donor-funded education initiatives or advising on policy reforms in Jordan or the MENA region.
• Proven ability to oversee consultants, partner organizations, and technical experts to deliver high-quality outputs.
• Must provide valid proof of unrestricted work authorization in Jordan.

Your Daily Tasks

• Lead and oversee high-level policy reform workstreams focused on teacher preparation, school leadership, higher education quality, and system accountability.
• Advise and influence senior counterparts at the MoE, MoHESR, AQAC, and partner institutions to ensure reforms are aligned with national priorities and global best practices.
• Oversee the development of high-quality policy frameworks, briefs, implementation tools, and strategic communications products that inform decision-making and guide reform adoption.
• Direct and supervise consultants, partner organizations, and technical experts to ensure timely delivery of policy outputs and alignment with project goals.
• Drive the design and rollout of policy pilots, ensuring lessons learned are captured, analyzed, and integrated into scale-up strategies.
• Guide the co-development of national standards for teacher education and university accreditation in collaboration with partner universities and regulatory bodies.
• Chair and lead multi-stakeholder consultations, roundtables, and technical forums, fostering consensus and driving actionable outcomes.
• Steer the implementation of innovative initiatives, including a national AI readiness assessment and the integration of digital transformation strategies into education reforms.
• Monitor, evaluate, and report on policy progress, ensuring continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and evidence-based decision-making across all reform areas.

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 top-tier learning, development, and growth opportunities, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well-being. Benefits include health, dental, and vision coverage; a flexible work schedule; a generous PTO policy; a technology stipend; an employee assistance and wellness program; and much more. 

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 our mission and who respect and promote excellence through diversity. We recruit, hire, train, and promote individuals based on merit and experience. We are an equal opportunity employer.

****This position is eligible for hybrid work within Jordan. Eligible employees are regular, full-time staff based in Amman who split their time between working remotely and onsite at the Amman office.

This position is not eligible for fully remote work outside Jordan.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE