Senior Program Officer

Position description

A Senior Program Officer is required to perform a wide variety of duties to ensure the successful implementation of academic exchange programs managed by the Study of the U.S. Branch. The Senior Program Officer position will serve in the Branch working primarily on the Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI).

The incumbent serves as a Senior Program Officer in the Study of the U.S. Branch (ECA/A/E/USS), Office of Academic Exchanges, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  The Office consists of six regional Branches (Western Hemisphere, East Asia and Pacific, North Africa/Middle East, South and Central Asia, Africa, and Europe), and two functional Branches (U.S. Studies and Multi-Regional Programs). 

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) conducts academic exchange programs working with universities, colleges, schools, bi-national centers, Fulbright Commissions, government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to foster mutual understanding and international partnership. 

The Study of the U.S. Branch is responsible for planning and overseeing a variety of academic exchange programs including the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders (YALI), Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI) for Student Leaders and Scholars, and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI).  Both the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders and the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative were started under the leadership of then-President Obama and continue in their high-profile capacity today.  Each year, the YALI Mandela Washington Fellowship brings up to 700 to 1,000 young African leaders to the United States for six-week academic and leadership Institutes; the YSEALI Academic Fellowship brings up to 500 young leaders from Southeast Asia for five-week academic programs; and the SUSI program brings approximately 600 foreign undergraduate students and scholars from around the world for five-to-six week academic programs on themes related to U.S. studies. 

Responsibilities

Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates academic exchange programs managed within the Study of the U.S. Branch, in consultation with posts and missions, Fulbright Commissions, ECA management, geographic bureaus, and high-level elements in the U.S. academic, government, and professional communities;  

Establishes and maintains relationships with these groups to develop the exchange programs to meet changing political situations or new priorities in the United States government.  Provides program direction and guidance to cooperating agencies and host universities; oversees Institutes, follow-on activities and other events related to the Institutes; and oversees program implementation and communications.  Evaluates and refines programs to ensure they remain useful, cost-effective, and timely.

Provides programmatic monitoring for grants and/or cooperative agreements in accordance with established ECA grants policy and federal regulations.  Manages budget and fiscal aspects of grants and/or cooperative agreements.  Develops and adheres to grant cycles in accordance with the passage of the Bureau’s annual appropriation and the ECA grants calendar. Oversees the recruitment and selection of participants, and facilitates all aspects of the exchanges keeping abreast of all participant activities.  Consults closely with supervisor to proactively resolve or address problems.  Exercises sound judgment on those developments that can be resolved independently and those requiring higher level input.

Establishes and maintains liaison with stakeholders including posts and missions, other DOS bureaus, other USG agencies, Fulbright Commissions, U.S. academic and international exchange communities and officials, and foreign government representatives to build effective relationships in support of ECA’s strategic goal of promoting international understanding.  Participates in conferences, workshops, orientations, inter- and intra-agency meetings, and at meetings with implementing partners and the public.

Responds within deadlines to taskings from supervisor, senior bureau, and department management or Congressional staff for quantitative and qualitative information on exchange activities; and obtains appropriate clearances.  Drafts speeches, talking points, memoranda, and other documents that advance Bureau objectives and analyze the impact of DoS exchanges. 

Qualifications

• Education and/or work experience related to international educational exchanges, and/or other types of international study, programming, or activities.
• Knowledge of the Department’s mission particularly with respect to educational and academic exchanges, and the role exchanges play in the conduct of U.S. foreign policy.
• Skill in program and project management techniques and tools in order to oversee the development, implementation, and maintenance of international exchange programs.
• Knowledge of grants administration regulations, processes, and activities in order to oversee grants-related activities.
• Skill in oral and written communications in order to prepare and present analysis, provide advice and guidance, brief audiences, solicit information, and defend proposals.
• Ability to represent the Department, Bureau, and organization in a variety of domestic and international settings.
• Ability to initiate and maintain effective contacts with DOS elements, other USG entities, contract institutions, and U.S. institutions of higher education involved in the conduct of academic exchange programs.
• Ability to use various computer applications and familiarity with the potential uses of electronic information storage and retrieval in order to maintain information databases.
• Excellent ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues.
• Strong ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, and multi-task in a high volume, fast-paced work environment.

• Strong organizational skills and excellent creative thinking and analytical skills.
• Ability to interact with all nationalities in a culturally sensitive manner.
• Experience in or knowledge of one or more world regions.
• A minimum of five (5) years of related professional work experience is required for this position.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level.
• Foreign language skills are preferred but not required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree is required for this position; however, a Master’s Degree or other advanced degree, ideally in international relations, international education, or a related field, is preferred.

Application instructions

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