Program Officer, Youth Programs

COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Amideast is an American non-profit organization established in 1951 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., with country offices and programs in the Middle East and North Africa region and beyond. Amideast provides transformational education, training, testing, and exchanges that enable individuals, companies, and international partners to better address 21st-century challenges at home and abroad. For more information, visit us at www.amideast.org. 


POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Program Officer (PO) is a key member of the team charged with managing secondary-school exchange programs based out of Amideast headquarters, including both inbound and outbound components of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program and the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). The PO will work with the Director to execute all aspects of each program including but not limited to recruitment/selection, on-program support, and alumni activities, in conjunction with the relevant field offices. 


RESPONSIBILITIES

Overarching
• Serve as the primary contact for health, safety, and security issues that arise during program implementation and other non-urgent on-program support issues
• Develop and deliver orientations online and in-person when applicable
• Escort students to and from the United States as needed
• Serve as a liaison between partner organization(s) and Amideast field offices
• Liaise directly with State Department sponsors as needed, in consultation with the Director
• Assist and advise field offices to coordinate events including student orientations and alumni workshops
• Respond quickly and comprehensively to requests for on-program support from partner organizations and field offices, including distributing and submitting forms and providing guidance on student support issues
• Create, solicit, and edit program website and social media content 
• Coordinate and lead portions of regular Amideast youth programs staff calls in coordination with the Director
• Coordinate, edit, and submit monthly and bi-annual reports for YES and NSLI-Y
• Assist with proposal submissions during the grant renewal/rebid periods
• Represent Amideast at meetings and program activities with sponsors and partners
• Provide general administrative support as needed
• Process program-related payments as needed
• Assume other special duties, activities, and responsibilities as needed

Inbound-specific 
• Assist partners and staff in recruitment, selection, on-program support, and alumni programming for inbound YES students from Amideast program countries
• Coordinate the review, submission, and tracking of application materials and follow up requests between field offices and consortium partner organizations
• Contribute to YES alumni programming, including collecting, editing, and submitting monthly reports, implementing YES alumni activities as needed, facilitating the recruitment and selection of participants for alumni events, and participating in the YES Consortium alumni workgroup

Outbound-specific
• Conduct predeparture webinars; develop and maintain all pre-departure and re-entry content; conceptualize, plan, and implement predeparture and reentry orientations
• Participate when required in the selection of YES Abroad and NSLI-Y students, including overseeing the YES Abroad French language evaluation process
• Review and revise outbound student policies on an annual basis
• Lead Amideast’s communication with prospective and selected students and their families at all stages of program implementation
• Participate in proposal development and financial monitoring of these programs against budget


QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
Required
• Bachelor’s degree plus three years’ related experience
• Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to multi-task 
• Excellent computer skills including but not limited to Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.) 
• Ability to accept responsibility, work independently, and be proactive
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Ability and willingness to initiate and participate in video conferencing daily
• Strong understanding of and experience with cross-cultural communication
• Excellent written and spoken communication
• Previous experience working with youth


Preferred
• Social media skills, including ability to create graphics, campaigns, and other engaging content 
• Previous experience living in or traveling to the MENA region and/or other relevant international experience
• Previous involvement in international exchange programs as staff and/or participant
• Keen interest in exploring innovative solutions and/or tools to improve workflow and outcomes for staff and beneficiaries


WORK ENVIRONMENT
The incumbent in this position will work in a professional office environment and will utilize the following equipment when working from the corporate office or remote home office (on a hybrid basis).
• Computer (laptop or desktop)
• Printer/Photocopier/Scanner/Fax
• Telephone
• Other (Specify if any)


The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act or local law.


This position description is an overview of the major functions and requirements of this position. This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list encompassing every duty and requirement of the position; the Employee’s Manager may assign other duties as related or as otherwise deemed appropriate and necessary within the general scope, without the need for additional compensation.


Amideast is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.


Positions that involve interaction with children will be required to read, acknowledge, and comply with and attend special training in accordance with the Child Protection and Safeguarding policy. All Amideast representatives must comply with the Code of Conduct and all applicable organizational policies which include but are not limited to, Anti-Human Trafficking and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.