Program Officer

World Learning seeks a Program Officer with a specialization in Alumni and Communication for the US Department of State-funded Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program (LDF) to be based in Beirut, Lebanon.  Duration: 2 years.  World Learning is an 80-year-old global non-profit organization with operations in 77 countries. Through its award-winning international education programs – The Experiment in International Living, the SIT Graduate Institute, SIT Study Abroad and the International Honors Program (IHP) – World Learning fosters global citizenship by connecting over 3,000 young ambassadors annually across cultural differences and social barriers.  Through its International Development & Exchange Programs, World Learning practices what it teaches, undertaking community-driven international development, training and exchange projects in sixteen countries.  Title:                       Program Officer Specialization:       Alumni and Communications Reports To:            LDF MENA Director                Location:               Beirut, Lebanon             Background:      Over two years the LDF program will transform the lives of 100 emerging leaders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Through both US and Lebanon-based fellowships that combine five-weeks of academic learning with a nine week practicum, Fellows will gain the knowledge and skills needed to be positive change agents in their communities. LDF creates opportunities to sustain and build on this learning through a dynamic alumni network that is informed by comprehensive stakeholder assessments and continued interaction with the existing LDF alumni community. Summary:           Under the supervision of the LDF MENA Director, the Alumni and Communications Program Officer will provide support and assistance on overall program implementation including planning, designing, organizing and implementing LDF alumni program and communications activities, and supporting MENA Exchange activities as well. This position works with professionals ages 25 – 40 from 16 countries in the Middle East and North Africa as current and past participants of the LDF Program. The appointee requires excellent coordination and planning skills along with a detail-oriented focus and ability to coordinate and communicate with the alumni effectively across the region. The appointee will plan and implement the alumni programming portfolio that take place virtually and throughout the MENA region, including a leading role in alumni needs assessment, monitoring and evaluation, events and activities, and all related logistics. The appointee will also support the project’s communication activities in order to increase awareness of and encourage engagement in the LDF Program by the various stakeholders by carrying out activities through a variety of media to reach out to and engage participants and alumni. During the 14-week MENA Exchange portion of the program the Alumni and Communications Program Officer will also assist with program activities. General Program Officer Responsibilities and Duties: Support the MENA Director in developing and maintaining a detailed work plan to complete the alumni and communications programming tasks in an efficient and timely manner; Ensure timely implementation of all the activities related to the LDF alumni communications and programming; Prepare and track financial aspects of alumni program arrangements, including per diem requests and receipts, checks for vendors and invoices, ensuring that all financial transactions are executed in compliance with accounting procedures and requirements; Maintain files of all the relevant documents for the program and the program alumni (soft and hard copies) Contribute to overall project reporting Handle other tasks as assigned by the LDF MENA Director Support World Learning in any other programs as needed Specific Alumni and Communication Responsibilities and Duties: Lead in preparation of all needed materials and documents for alumni events and activities; Maintain LDF database and track alumni biographical information, communications, needs assessment results, and engagement in LDF programming; Conduct research to identify appropriate, cost-effective program components; Arrange program logistics (international and domestic travel/visa processing and health coverage/lodging/meeting and event space/supplies and equipment) for alumni activities in the MENA region; Act as primary point of contact for alumni for the LDF program and help ensure completion and delivery of all requested program deliverables by program alumni through continuous monitoring and follow-up as needed; Contribute to the development and implementation of communications and social media strategy for the program; Maintain and engage participants and alumni through program media presence Gather and develop success stories and reports Support MENA Exchange program preparations and activities including assistance with Lebanon-based fellowship preparations, placements, monitoring and follow up. Maintain data on program and alumni and contribute to participant monitoring and the distribution and collection of surveys Qualifications and Requirements: A Master’s degree in a related field preferred or a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years equivalent/relevant experience working with the US Department of State or other donors on international exchange or development programs; Strong computer and internet proficiency (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and web-based tools); Strong cross-cultural and interpersonal skills; Strong communication skills and experience working across a variety of media; Experience in working on outreach and engagement activities of a similar scope and scale; First-hand knowledge of the local and regional media, markets and principles of public relations; Proficiency with website and social media content management; A broad understanding of issues related to international development; Ability to speak and write fluently in English and Arabic. Demonstrated accuracy, attention to detail, organizational and event planning ability; Strong coordination, logistical, and time management stills; Team player, able to work respectfully and cooperatively with colleagues or different national and cultural backgrounds; Proven strong written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic; Professional experience using social media platforms; Experience living/studying/working abroad and with other countries in the MENA region preferred; Prior report writing experience; Past experience with exchange participant placement and monitoring and program monitoring and evaluation preferred. Practical experience in Database Management, Reporting, Analyses Experience using office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point, etc) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, evaluation of data, and ability to manage data, data cleaning & reporting in an accurate & timely manner;