Program Officer – FORECAST/ COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM

Organization: World Learning

Website: World Learning

Title: Program Officer 

Location: Washington, DC

Salary: up to $40,000

Description:

Community Connections (CC) is a USAID - funded program that focuses on the public diplomacy goal of exposing visitors to U.S. society and promoting reform in Europe and Eurasia. CC programs are homestay-based practical opportunities in the U.S. for entrepreneurs, local government, legal professionals, non-governmental organization leaders and other professionals. Visitors are placed with community organizations of similar interest in the U.S. that arrange such activities site-visits, professional training, seminars, and community-based cultural and volunteer activities. The Community Connections program is designed to:

o Expose visitors to U.S. society;
o Create links between U.S. and Europe/Eurasia regions and local communities;
o Encourage public-private partnerships in Europe/Eurasia by including private sector and government visitors;
o Provide professional training and exposure to day-to-day functioning of a free market system and democratic society.

Specific duties include:
• Procure, monitor, and manage a caseload of approximately 24 programs/year (10 visitors/program);
• Coordinate all programmatic and logistical arrangements with World Learning sub-contractor field offices and US hosting organizations;
• Conduct program and budget negotiations to ensure quality and cost effectiveness;
• Enter into financial agreements with US host organizations;
• Facilitate direct communication between the field office and host organizations to confirm and finalize preparations for group arrival;
• Ensure that host organizations have all appropriate pre arrival arrangements and logistics programmed;
• Conduct group administrative briefings (review program objectives, goals and policies, complete tax forms, review health insurance coverage);
• Monitor visitor progress and performance during program implementation and administer necessary program changes;
• Monitor host organization performance though on-going scheduled telephone calls and written reports;
• Monitor host organization’s home-stay placements;
• Provide crisis management to quickly resolve programmatic any issues;
• Ensure proper enrollment in Health and Accident Coverage (HAC);
• Ensure accurate TraiNet data entry and record maintenance;
• Track and monitor all program costs;
• Monitor budget and authorize allowable payments;
• Maintain telephone log of all program related calls;
• Keep field offices abreast of any serious personal/health problems that develop that would prevent successful completion of the program;
• Administer exit questionnaires and conduct an exit debriefing;

Qualifications:
• Masters degree + four years of relevant work experience or a Bachelor’s degree + six years of relevant work experience
• Excellent English written and verbal communications skills
• Computer proficiency including a working knowledge of Excel
• Budget preparation
• Excellent analytic and cross cultural skills
• Ability to manage both content and logistics for a heavy caseload
• Detail oriented
• Ability to multi-task and adapt to quickly changing priorities
• Motivation, reliability and flexibility
• Ability to work independently, use sound judgment, perform as a team player and know when to seek supervisor advice;
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically with USAID, recruiting and host organizations.
• Knowledge of Europe/Eurasia
• Knowledge of USAID procurement policies (including ADS 252 and 253) preferred.

To Apply: Apply Here by May 31, 2010.

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