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. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $100 million and more than 600 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

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 Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training and creates unique opportunities for Fellows and U.S. professionals to collaborate as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.

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 guides activities of one or more junior staff members.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 3+ years of professional experience in relevant sectors, including previous experience with professional training/development programs and/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.
• Demonstrated interest in monitoring, evaluation, and learning; direct experience preferred.
• Experience working in and/or interest in developing capacity for project systems including Salesforce, SharePoint, Mailchimp, Alchemer, Canvas LMS, Submittable, or similar (preferred).
• Proven ability to develop and maintain fruitful relationships with program participants, partners, and other project stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate professionally, clearly, and succinctly, and to independently contribute outstanding verbal and written communications.
• Outstanding cross-cultural skills and understanding of DEI concepts and how they are applied in both the workplace and programming.
• 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).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• 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.
• You must have unrestricted authorization to work in the United States.

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 diverse 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 program partners and participants.
• Lead on virtual aspects of the Reciprocal Exchanges and AIA, including curating content in Canvas LMS and hosting webinars and virtual orientations.
• Organize a wide range of participant information and data, maintaining accuracy and completeness.
• 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 and monitor communication with program participants and partners, including communicating program updates and answering questions.
• Cultivate relationships throughout 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.
• Initiate and cultivate relationships with partner institutions, including academic, corporate, non-profit, and government partners, and vendors.
• Engage vendors in the procurement of Fellowship goods and services.
• Oversee Reciprocal Exchange and AIA budgets, payments, and procurements.
• Support the accurate reconciliation of program expenses each month as needed.
• Assist team leadership in tracking program expenditures and managing procurement in line with USG standards.
• Support IREX-wide financial reconciliations annually as needed.
• Support team leadership in all aspects of program implementation to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables.
• Create a positive team environment adhering to IREX’s organizational values and management principles.
• Proactively support IREX’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
• Represent IREX and Leadership Practice Area interests both within and outside of IREX.
• Other support duties as needed.

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

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Telework. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time DC-based staff who works from a worksite outside the DC office for one or more days a week.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.