Program Officer

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: full-time

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 21, 2024

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Officer will focus on operations and communications and will report to the Director of Field Programs. The Program Officer is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Opportunity Program (which provides awards to assist economically disadvantaged students in covering the upfront costs associated with applying and beginning their studies at higher education institutions in the U.S.) and will oversee reporting for field grants. Candidates must be local nationals of one of the countries where American Councils has field office, with preference for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, or Ukraine.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Opportunity Program:

• Develop and manage systems and administer scholarship awards to recipients in line with procedures.
• Manage relationships and maintain contact with field staff and Regional Education Advising Coordinators (REACs) on program-related matters.
• Handle day-to-day program administration including:  processing check requests, wire requests, and online payments on behalf of awardees; arranging student travel; and maintaining paper and electronic files.
• Ensure all grant reporting requirements are met and staff adhere to established program policies and procedures.
• Maintain payment database and produce reports as needed.
• Track disbursal of program funds and reconcile individual awards with Finance team records as needed.
• Assist with reconciling expenses on the monthly credit card report.
• Communicate with students about IRS documentation requirements.

Communications:

• Operationalize the report writing process for field operations.
• Develop templates and resources to streamline the report writing and review process.
• Create and provide training to field staff on best practices in report writing, especially as related to monitoring and evaluation, compliance and style.
• Review monthly grant reports before final submission.
• Monitor websites and provide updated information on current programs.
• Write and/or compile program highlights for internal newsletters, websites, and funders.

• Bachelors in relevant field
• Systems thinker with demonstrated problem-solving skills who thrives on good processes and procedures
• Propensity for strict attentiveness to details, deadlines, and maintaining files
• Expert database and spreadsheet skills
• Proven ability to take initiative and manage the full life-cycle of a project
• Ability to work independently while contributing to an overall team effort
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English and regional language/s; experience using AI to enhance written communication preferred
• Proven interpersonal effectiveness in cross-cultural, long-distance work environments and with multiple stakeholders
• Must be eligible to work in a country with an American Councils field office, with preference for Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, or Uzbekistan.
• Internal applicants are encouraged to apply.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.