United States of America: Program Officer, Global Development

Program Officer, Global Development

World Learning’s Global Development team has an immediate opening for a Program Officer. World Learning is a global not-for-profit organization with educational and international development operations in more than 75 countries. Through its international education programs – The Experiment in International Living, SIT Study Abroad, and SIT Graduate Institute – World Learning fosters global citizen-activism by connecting over 100,000 participants across geographic, cultural, political and economic distances and differences. Through its Global Development Programs, World Learning practices what it teaches, undertaking community-driven international development, training, and exchange projects in 20 countries. For over 75 years, World Learning has built a deep and diverse array of effective offerings and services that transform individual lives and strengthen the capacity of communities and institutions to address pressing global needs.

Today, more than ever, the world needs fully engaged global citizens who recognize what it means to build bridges of tolerance, respect, and understanding and have the knowledge, skills, and international experience to assume leadership positions in the world. At this moment of unprecedented, acute, international need and opportunity, World Learning is responding by re-investing in its programs, deepening their impact, and implementing a global vision for the future.

Key Responsibilities:

The Global Development team implements programs to enhance the capacity of individuals, institutions, and communities to create a more peaceful and just world. Under the supervision of the Program Specialist, the Program Officer serves as the overall point of contact, conduit, back-stopper, and project manager for WL sector specialty or country portfolio, working to connect internal and external stakeholders for information exchange, program development, and maximized delivery of resources to field projects. The Program Officer works directly with field-based project leadership to guide implementation of programs including responsibility for high quality technical deliverables and programmatic reports, and for monitoring workplans and budgets. The Program Officer collaborates closely with technical advisors as well as members of World Learning support units including the finance, operations, compliance, HR, communications, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning teams. In addition, the Program Officer supports new business development, assisting with research, partnership development, and program design tasks, as assigned.

Program Implementation/Backstopping:

• Manage projects, as assigned. Support field office teams with overall project needs including start-ups, closeouts, managing client relationships, communications, reporting, monitoring and/or evaluation activities, monitoring the implementation of project workplans, and monitoring budgets;
• Work with WL finance counterparts to assist with financial oversight in project design and during project implementation; review/monitor spending against budget;
• Work with field staff to ensure that project reporting (e,g, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual) and key deliverables are tracked and that processes are in place to ensure timely delivery of reports and other requirements – this may include the provision of assistance in reviewing or editing reports and other deliverables to ensure they meet standards for quality;
• Support clear and organized knowledge management by maintaining electronic files of project documentation for auditing purposes and for project management;
• Ensure that clear processes are in place for data collection and analysis in accordance with a project’s monitoring, evaluation and learning plan. Ensure that project data are entered into DevResults on a quarterly basis, and support project teams to adapt program design based on evidence, as needed;
• As assigned, serve as the main HQ point of contact with clients in matters of negotiation of agreement terms, contractual discussions, compliance issues, and reporting. Coordinate and provide guidance to project teams on USAID and other donors’ rules and regulations, seeking clarification from World Learning’s Compliance and Operations teams, as needed;
• Coordinate/review new agreements at the time of award; prepare partner subawards; write memoranda of understanding, and monitor compliance with awards and sub-awards;
• Identify and process travel and logistics for overseas staff and consultants, including scopes of work, travel arrangements, visas, progress payments or advances, and proper orientation for consultants on procedures. This may include working with HR to administer expatriate allowances;
• As required, ensure cost share or leverage strategy is in place, well documented, and on track;
• Visit field offices according to program requirements to conduct a program review. Coordinate international technical assistance trips;
• Lead the development of success stories for assigned projects, maintain a portfolio of project photographs, and coordinate with World Learning’s Marketing and Communications team, as needed.

Program Development:

• Support program development efforts to identify new opportunities; conduct research; liaise with donors, local and international partners, and other stakeholders; assist in program design; assist in proposal writing and editing; and assist in proposal production;
• Provide proactive program development support to for assigned geographic areas and practice areas;
• Assist in updating corporate capability statements.

Outreach/Liaison:

• Disseminate and promote WL program strategies, standards and tools in portfolio-assigned projects;
• Liaise with internal WL stakeholders such as Country Teams, Business Development Staff, Global Programs Staff, Communication and Marketing Staff, and others to share information, identify areas to leverage expertise and learning, and promote innovative program development;
• Encourage and facilitate the documentation of best practices and lessons learned, directed toward multiple audiences, to influence policy formation, develop capacity and foster professionalism;
• Build and maintain relationships with external and internal partners in order to enhance their understanding of WL program standards and strategies; may manage relationships with external resource partners, such as donors, subcontractors, or other stakeholders.

Corporate Responsibilities:

• Represent WL at meetings, conferences, etc., relevant to the subject matter and themes of the assigned portfolio and disseminate information regarding WL’s overall capabilities;
• Contribute to the development of key WL planning documents including strategy statements, budget reviews, work plans, and reports to the Board of Directors;
• Contribute other written materials that support divisional needs (brochures, summary project information, etc.);
• Conduct international travel, as required;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in international development or related field; Master’s degree preferred;
• 3 years’ experience in project management required, preferably in education or youth-related programming; previous experience with USAID programming and familiarity with USAID rules and regulations strongly preferred;
• Fluency in English as well as excellent written and verbal communications skills; second language proficiency preferred;
• Professional experience in the MENA, South or Southeast Asia, or Sub-Saharan Africa regions preferred;
• Experience with budget management;
• Competence in Microsoft Office software and tools (MSWord, Excel, Power Point);
• Excellent organizational skills with a willingness to assume responsibilities and take initiative; ability to be a team player and to adapt to quickly changing situations;
• Ability to travel and conduct business internationally with a high level of professionalism and cultural sensitivity;
• Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status.

World Learning is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action/veterans/ADA employer, committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.

Interested candidates should apply through World Learning's website