Program Officer

Location:

Washington, D.C. (Hybrid)

Sponsorship:

Not eligible for immigration sponsorship

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world, where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. We work in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

Job Summary

IREX seeks a Program Officer, Reciprocal Exchanges, for the U.S. Department of State’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of the U.S. Government’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). Since 2014, nearly 7,800 young leaders from every country in Sub‑Saharan Africa have participated in the Fellowship. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries.

The Program Officer provides vision and leadership for the Mandela Washington Fellowship’s Reciprocal Exchanges (reverse exchange component for U.S. professionals) and American Impact Awards (small grants for U.S. Alumni of the Reciprocal Exchange), including managing component application and selection, material development and updates, partner and participant communications, logistics such as travel and visas, budgetary oversight, data management, and monitoring and evaluation. This role supervises one or more junior staff members.

We are doers. Our decades of on‑ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Knowledge & Skills

- Proven ability to develop and maintain fruitful relationships with program participants, partners, and other project stakeholders.

- Proven ability to manage changing donor expectations with tact, empathy, and thoroughness, balancing organizational objectives with stakeholder needs.

- Ability to communicate professionally, clearly, and succinctly, and to independently contribute outstanding verbal and written communications.

- Excellent interpersonal and cross‑cultural communication skills, including problem solving, conflict resolution, and a demonstrated ability to hold self and assigned staff accountable for quality outputs and results.

- Excellent organizational skills and ability to adhere to strict deadlines.

- High‑level proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including and especially Excel.

- Data management skills, including utilization of Salesforce (or comparable CRM/database) experience (preferred).

Requirements

- 3+ years of experience in relevant sectors, including experience with professional training/development programs or fellowship programs.

- Experience working with domestic and global partners or stakeholders.

- Experience leading orientations and other trainings.

- Demonstrated experience managing others toward shared goals, including experience with direct supervision/coaching.

- Demonstrated experience to proactively offer creative solutions and plan strategically to meet specified objectives with strong ability to anticipate challenges and generate solutions.

- Demonstrated experience with financial tracking, budget management, and vendor oversight.

- Experience working in and/or interest in developing capacity for project systems including Salesforce, SharePoint, Mailchimp, Alchemer, Canvas LMS, Submittable, or similar (preferred).

- Ability to travel, up to 10% of time as needed.

- Availability to support program activities in the evenings and on weekends, when needed based on the program cycle.

Your Daily Tasks

- Create and manage processes for the planning and implementation of Reciprocal Exchange and American Impact Award (AIA) activities, including drafting applications, recruiting a robust pool of applicants, coordinating selection, monitoring activities, and disbursing grants.

- Oversee implementation of key program administrative activities such as communications with Reciprocal Exchange and AIA applicants and participants, administering travel health benefits, coordinating security briefings, liaising with travel and visa vendors, updating program materials, and processing grant payments.

- Produce and update program deliverables including materials, handbooks, templates, and guides for participants.

- Lead on virtual aspects of the Reciprocal Exchanges and AIA, including curating content in Canvas LMS and hosting webinars and virtual orientations.

- Organize and update a wide range of participant information and data, maintaining accuracy and completeness while tracking progress toward program objectives.

- Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer to oversee and implement the monitoring and evaluation of the Reciprocal Exchanges and AIA in order to evaluate performance, inform project implementation, and share program successes.

- Lead internal learning, reflection, and knowledge‑sharing around project components and/or best practices.

- Manage communications with program participants and partners, including program updates and answering questions.

- Cultivate relationships via the engagement of Reciprocal Exchange and AIA participants in various program activities.

- Coordinate with the Fellowship’s communications team to highlight the impact of the Reciprocal Exchanges and AIA.

- Support donor communications, including providing regular updates on program developments.

- Adapt to evolving donor requirements and priorities, maintaining effective and empathetic communication to ensure continued alignment and positive relationships.

- Initiate and cultivate relationships with partner institutions, including academic, corporate, non‑profit, and government partners, and vendors.

- Organize recruitment and advertising events for interested potential applicants, including interested applicant webinars.

- Engage vendors in the procurement of Fellowship goods and services.

At IREX, you’ll work alongside committed, passionate, and collaborative colleagues who are united by a shared mission—making it a truly rewarding place to work. We offer learning, development, and growth opportunities, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your overall well‑being.

Please note: While we aim to offer competitive compensation, not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range.

Disability Specifications

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IREX seeks to attract the best‑qualified candidates who support IREX’s mission and who respect and promote excellence through diversity. IREX is committed to equal opportunity and follows recruitment and selection practices that comply with all applicable employment laws. To this end, IREX recruits, hires, trains, and promotes individuals based on merit and experience.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

#J-18808-Ljbffr