Level: SPO II 

Location: Washington, DC 

Group/Practice/Unit: Leadership Practice 

About IREX:  

IREX is an independent nonprofit education organization dedicated to global development. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $100 million, works in more than 100 countries worldwide and has a global staff of 250. 

 Position Summary:  

IREX seeks a Senior Program Officer -II for the anticipated 3-year, U.S. Department of State (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) funded International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). The IVLP advances U.S. national security priorities and builds long-term relationships between Americans and international leaders in government, business, academia, and other fields. Recipients design and implement customized short-term visits to the United States for current and emerging leaders from around the world. These visits support U.S. foreign policy goals and reflect the participants’ professional interests..   

The Senior Program Officer-II will lead a small team delivering discrete exchange visit projects at the direction of ECA and under the supervision of the IVLP Project Director. They will ensure that each project meets ECA objectives and delivers a seamless, high-quality experience for distinguished international visitors. They will ensure excellent logistics and data management, coordinate with key partners, and deliver high-quality visitor orientation programming. The place of performance is Washington, DC.  

​​​​​​​**This position is contingent on funding.** 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Support team leadership in all aspects of program implementation to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables for the IVLP, particularly in project delivery and visitor support.   

• Manage day-to-day operations of a small team, including supervision of one junior staff member. 

• Plan and carry out all tasks related to specific, customized IVLP projects and visits, including preparing project proposals and budgets, organizing visit agendas in Washington DC, coordinating with regional partners in communities across the U.S., and preparing and delivering high-quality program materials. 

• Ensure seamless and excellent logistics, maintaining compliance around procurement, contracts, and records management. 

• Provide oversight to one other main program component, such as program communications or participant monitoring and evaluation.   

• Initiate and cultivate relationships with relevant partners; 

• Support donor communications, including regular updates on program developments; 

• Contribute to the budgeting, procurement, and reconciliation processes in line with USG standards and IREX policy;  

• Support award management and the proposal process as needed; 

• Create and contribute to a positive team environment adhering to IREX’s organizational values and management principles; 

• Represent IREX and program interests both within and outside of IREX.  

Minimum qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in foreign policy, international education, business, or related field, Master’s degree preferred; 

• 8+ years of progressive experience implementing international programs, with a focus on international professional training/development programs;  

• Experience with Department of State or other USG grants and contracts;  

• Minimum of two years managing and mentoring junior staff or similar experience;   

• Experience with procurement procedures preferred;  

• Experience monitoring program budgets, preferred;  

• Experience in presentations, facilitation and training/workshop development preferred.  

• Able to work independently and as a team member with consistent ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, and be flexible;  

• Proven organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail, including the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced office environment;  

• Demonstrated ability to plan strategically and creatively to meet specified objectives with strong ability to anticipate challenges and generate solutions;  

• Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills;  

• Demonstrated excellent writing and document proofing skills; Professionalism in written correspondence and report writing, excellent oral presentation and facilitation skills;  

• You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.