TITLE: Regional Representative, Bibliomist Program DIVISION: Civil Society Division REPORTS TO: Partnerships Coordinator, Kyiv, Ukraine POSITION LOCATION: Chernigiv, Kherson, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovograd, Lugansk, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Rivne, Sumy, Uzhgorod START DATE: April 2010

IREX seeks a qualified Ukrainian professional to fill the position of Regional Representative in each of the listed regions for the Global Libraries – Bibliomist Program funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This is a half-time position.

About IREX: IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development.

Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of $50 million and a staff of over 400 professionals worldwide. IREX and its partner IREX Europe deliver crosscutting programs and consulting expertise in more than 50 countries.

Summary of Program: The Bibliomist program will provide Internet facilities to public libraries across Ukraine and provide accompanying training and assistance with advocacy for enhanced library support and services. During the planning stage, IREX has been networking with a wide range of stakeholders to gain a clear understanding of how the national-scale program can be most effectively designed. The national program began in the fall of 2008.

SUMMARY OF POSITION: IREX seeks a qualified professional to fill the position of Regional Representative (in each of the listed regions) for the Bibliomist Program. This position will ensure successful establishment and management of partnerships with regional libraries, local authorities, Internet providers, NGOs, and other community stakeholders. The position requires profound understanding of current situation of the library sector in Ukraine, familiarity and/ or experience in introducing and administering Internet and technology-related services in the libraries, as well as experience of working with international donor organizations. The position will be based in the listed respective regional center, Ukraine. The position requires frequent travel within the respective region. IREX seeks a one-year, half-time commitment.

The Regional Representative will:

• Manage Bibliomist programmatic activities in his/her respective region; serve as a primary IREX contact for libraries;
• Collaborate with partnering libraries, local officials and NGOs in oblast and selected rayons on furthering the goals of the program;
• Conduct informational sessions for librarians, regional administration and partners on program activities; assist libraries-partners in project implementation, monitor libraries’ performance, assist partners in securing additional funding;
• Conduct verification site-visits to libraries-applicants, managing relations with vendors and Internet providers in selected rayons;
• Assist libraries-partners in organizing and delivering trainings and community activities, assist in developing materials and presentations;
• Assist libraries-partners in working with current partners and identifying new partners for program events; provide coaching on organization of volunteer’s activity;
• Convene and moderate regional events (eg: focus groups meetings, on-line forums) related to the goals of the program, coach library-partner staff on event organization, and gradually transfer this function to library staff;
• Maintain regional listserv; distribute information on the program in the region;
• Assist Bibliomist team on programmatic activities in his/her respective region.

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have excellent presentational and interpersonal skills, able to communicate successfully with government representatives, be well organized, able to work independently, skilled at handling multiple tasks, able to work in stressful situations, and willing to travel within his/her respective region.

Other specific qualifications should include at a minimum:

• Higher education;
• At least two years of professional experience in project management with international technical assistance projects with the focus on Internet, technology and/or community development;
• Prior experience with IATP and/ or LEAP projects is an asset;
• Prior work experience at a library is an asset;
• Experience in developing and delivering technology-related trainings;
• Understanding of current situation of the library sector in Ukraine;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications;
• Working knowledge of English preferred.

To Apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, and salary history with “CSD/RR/IM” in the subject line to [email protected]

No phone calls please. Only complete applications will be considered.