Program Officer, International Visitor Leadership Program (Contingent Upon Funding)

AMERICAN COUNCILS FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ACTR/ACCELS•Washington, DC

4d•$63,000 - $68,000•Onsite

About The Position

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) premier professional exchange program. Through short-term visits to the United States, current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience our country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts. Professional meetings reflect the participants’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. Group sizes vary from an individual to a multi-regional group of 25+ professionals. Based in Washington, DC, the Program Officer (PO) manages and delivers in-person and/or virtual programmatic, thematic, and overall design of the professional and cultural program itineraries for 70-120 participants yearly from all around the world. The PO interfaces with U.S. State Department counterparts and community-based member organizations around the country to conceptualize the program design and follows all applicable IVLP rules and procedures for program delivery. The PO identifies and arranges for in-person site visits or virtual meetings with American counterparts of the IVLP participants. The position will require close attention to detail, the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and work independently, and a readiness to communicate with a variety of people. The Program Officer will work in a team with a Program Coordinator for each project and will report to the Program Manager. Programs may take place virtually or in-person and meeting facilitation skills will be required for the success of the interactions. The PO is responsible for the overall oversight of the program success including ensuring that meetings meet the program goals, objectives, and budget constraints of the IVLP. Some travel may be required. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of and interest in international affairs and public diplomacy, demonstrated experience with successful logistical management of professional exchange programs, and the ability to communicate effectively with various program stakeholders as well as professionals from all around the world.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field required
4+ years of international exchange experience or 2+ years of working on the IVLP
Fluency with cross-cultural communication
Familiarity with U.S. State Department’s foreign policy priorities
Experience with international exchange program design and implementation for individuals and groups
Effective oral and written communication
Readiness to resolve issues outside of official work hours, as needed
Strong sense of priority setting in order to meet deadlines
Display poise, flexibility, discretion, and mature judgment to handle and respond appropriately and professionally in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment
Well organized and self-motivated, with a desire to explore beyond the immediately obvious in order to create unique and high-caliber experiences for program participants
Work with a high degree of independence, confer with supervisor on complex issues
Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and database management

Nice To Haves

Experience with U.S. State Department professional exchange programs administration
Experience in study abroad or working/living overseas
Foreign language proficiency

Responsibilities

Liaise effectively with State Department program managers and other IVLP stakeholders in the conceptualization and implementation process of assigned IVLP projects
Ensure understanding of the program topics in advance of communicating with the U.S. State Department program manager, sometimes under tight time constraints
Design and coordinate programs for groups of foreign professionals including a group project opening, Washington, D.C. professional appointments, visits to two to five cities, and occasionally a program closing
Work effectively with Global Ties U.S. Community Based Member (CBM) organizations to coordinate the national itineraries
Prepare, in coordination with an assigned program coordinator, all program materials in accordance with internal and external Standard Operating Procedures and internal control practices
Liaise with interpreters and liaisons to address itinerary changes, trouble shoot and provide support to groups
Confirm each professional meeting in advance and ensures successful interactions by providing guidance and direction to the interlocutors
Supervise Program Coordinators’ project-related activities to ensure the timely planning and coordination of logistics, budgeting, payments, and expense tracking
Liaise with other staff members to ensure the smooth delivery of all professional exchange programs and the accurate reporting of program activities
Assist with the program’s social media content
Remain current in American foreign affairs and national trends in relevant fields through participation at trainings, seminars, and conferences
Perform other duties as assigned