Amideast is a leading American non-profit organization engaged in international education, training and development activities in the Middle East and North Africa.
Founded in 1951, Amideast in its early years focused on promoting U.S. study to students in the MENA region and managing U.S. scholarships and exchanges such as the flagship Fulbright Foreign Student Program.
Location:
Iraq - Baghdad | Address:
Baghdad | Job Type:
Full-Time | Posting Date:
09/19/2024 |
COMPANY DESCRIPTION:
Established in 1951, Amideast is an American nonprofit organization dedicated to creating hope, opportunity and mutual understanding among people in the Middle East, North Africa, and United States through life-changing opportunities for education and cultural exchanges. Working with local, regional, and international partners, we provide programs and services that improve educational opportunity and quality, expand access to U.S study, empower youth and women, strengthen local institutions, and develop language and professional skills for success in the global economy. Headquartered in Washington, D.C, Amideast operates offices in 11 countries in the MENA region. For more information, visit us at www.amideast.org.
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Program Officer is responsible for implementing on assigned programs, program activities and tasks in support of the exchange and training portfolio implemented at Amideast Iraq with supervision from the Program and Operations Coordinator. The portfolio is primarily comprised of degree-granting scholarship programs, short-term educational exchange programs, and English Language and Training programs.
Under the supervision of the Program and Operations Coordinator, the Program Officer will support the overall workflow procedures – planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating for the programs. The implementation of activities will include initiating outreach and recruitment activities, making presentations to stakeholders and programs applicants, screening applications, communication of recruitment status with stakeholders and reporting. The Program Officer will also oversee the testing portfolio including administering internationally recognized standardized tests, coordinating with test centers, test takers, and Amideast colleagues.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Program:
- Support the development of resources for programs, prepares handouts and PowerPoint presentations, and disseminates information for programs in coordination with the Program and Operations Coordinator
- Conduct individual and group exchange advising sessions and guides students through the scholarship and exchange program application processes
- Organize and conduct outreach visits to South/Central Iraq, including visits to universities, local businesses, youth hubs, and NGOs
- Assist in conducting post nomination orientations and pre-departure orientations for exchange programs
- Assist in the development of all contractually-required technical program reports
- Maintain specific program databases, and uses the databases to run monitoring and evaluation reports
- Attend exchange program and business development meetings and assists Program and Operations Coordinator Program with necessary follow-up tasks from meetings
- Support report writing with specific data and information as requested by Program and Operations Coordinator and the Country Director
- Translate articles, flyers, and letters, between Arabic and English
- Maintain comprehensive understanding of all Amideast programs including English Language courses, testing, training, and scholarship/education programs
- Meet with applicants and visitors to the Baghdad office and answers inquiries about the exchange, English, training, and testing programs
- Represent Amideast/Iraq in various exchanges with local and international stakeholders
Testing Services:
- Coordinate with testing department and taking the lead in the testing process for exchange program candidates
- Oversee the registration and test administration process for Baghdad testing services (including GRE, SAT, TOEFL, and TOEIC)
- Administer, supervise, or proctor tests (TOEFL, GRE, SAT, ITP and TOEIC) as required
- Adhere to all required security precautions according to set rules & regulations to maintain test security and integrity
- Take the lead in the distribution of all test score reports/certificates to test takers
- Collection of all used and un-used testing materials, preparation of all post test documentation and return shipment of all materials in a timely manner as required
QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelor’s degree in relevant field: education, engineering, humanities, management, or business administration
- A minimum of three-year experience in independently managing complex donor funded training and/or education projects in international organizations setting
- An advanced level of written and spoken Arabic
- A high level of proficiency in English
- Strong Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills
- Excellent spoken and written communication/public relation skills
- Ability to independently manage multiple and complex tasks and priorities with frequent interruption
- Ability to communicate, interact and work effectively and cooperatively with all people including those from diverse ethnic and educational backgrounds
- Collaborative, team oriented approach to work
- Strong support for Amideast’s mission
PREFERED CRITERIA:
- A Master’s degree in relevant field: education, humanities, engineering, management, or business administration
- Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification or Project Management for Development (PMD Pro)
- Previous experience in a U.S. academic environment or a comparable combination of experience and education that demonstrates equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities, including familiarity with U.S. exchange programs in Iraq
- An alumnus of one of U.S. exchange programs
- A strong network with youth hubs and syndicates across Federal Iraq
This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the incumbent will perform other reasonable business-related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other managers when necessary. Amideast reserves the right to change duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
