Admissions Officer

About Chemonics
Chemonics International is an international development company based in Washington, D.C. Our mission is to promote meaningful change around the world to help people live healthier, more productive and more independent lives. Since 1975 we have worked in 149 countries around the world, and currently implement 113 contracts in 68 countries. Our main partner is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), but we occasionally work with foreign donors as well. We have over 600 staff based in our Washington, DC office and over 3000 staff in our project offices around the world.

1.  Project Background 

The Lebanon Community Support Program (CSP) is a multi-year project funded by USAID to support municipalities and underserved and vulnerable communities in providing better services and enhanced economic opportunities to improve lives and reduce tensions that contribute to conflict and violence, primarily in Lebanon’s North, South, and Beqaa regions. Under Task Order No. 4 (TO 4), the project will provide technical assistance and other support to improve labor skills and job placement opportunities through partnerships with the private sector, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) organizations, municipalities, and other public sector entities.  The main objective of this 3-year task order is to improve skills and job placement opportunities for beneficiaries from vulnerable communities. 

2.  Summary of Position 

The Admissions Officer will be responsible for overseeing the application process for CSP’s scholarship program, which aims to provide beneficiaries with technical and vocational education, provide practical training, and expand trainees’ professional networks. In coordination with CSP’s partner the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Admissions Officer will process all scholarship applications, including conducting data entry and validation, vetting candidates in accordance with USAID policies and procedures, and supporting scholarship recipients as they start the program. The Admissions Officer will coordinate with the Scholarship Director to ensure that the scholarship application process runs smoothly, objectively, and according to established procedures.   

3.  Specific Duties and Responsibilities. 

• Oversee the entire application process for CSP’s scholarship program in partnership with AUB in accordance with the award procedures defined in the scholarship framework;  
• Contribute to the development of a scholarship framework that includes eligibility requirements, student selection criteria, cost-sharing standards, award procedures, and how to engage local NGOs to increase outreach;  
• Process scholarship applications, including entering applicant data into CSP’s internal applicant management platform and organizing accordingly; 
• Review applications against the eligibility criteria and student selection criteria. Short-list top candidates and share with the Scholarship Director; 
• Coordinate with the Relationship Manager and Scholarship Director to match selected scholarship awardees with pre-identified TVETs; 
• Brainstorm innovative outreach strategies to increase the scholarship program’s profile and maximize the range of applicants; 
• Participate in meetings with community members to increase local engagement and interest in the scholarship program;  
• Verify that the scholarship program conforms to all government and regulatory hiring and staff management practices; 
• Monitor the admissions procedures and make recommendations to the Scholarship Director on how to build on lessons learned throughout the project; 
• Promote local ownership of the scholarship program to build long-term sustainability;  
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the Scholarship Director. 

4.  Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in a relevant field such as education preferred; 
• At least three years of work experience in scholarship administration, admissions, program management and/or student personnel services, or a related field. Experience liaising with university staff and students required; 
• Proven track record of success in organizing and executing scholarship or grant programs;  
• Ability to communicate effectively with scholarship applicants, recipients, and their families as well as community members, project partners, and other relevant parties; 
• Excellent computer literacy and application skills including working knowledge of computerized records management systems with a high aptitude for managing data integrity; 
• Experience working across Lebanon, specifically vulnerable communities in the North, Beqaa and South regions; 
• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English. 

5.  Location of the Assignment 

The Admissions Officer will be based in CSP’s main office space in Beirut and will be expected to travel to CSP’s areas of operation throughout the country as needed. 

6.  Reporting 

The Admissions Officer will report directly to the Scholarship Director, or equivalent.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants that can legally work in Lebanon will be considered for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination.