Program Assistant

World Learning seeks a Program Assistant for the U.S.-Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funded Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program (LDF) to be based in Beirut, Lebanon. 

World Learning is an 85-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. 

 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 four-weeks of academic learning with an eight-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 MENA Exchange Program Assistant will provide support and assistance to overall program implementation including planning, designing, organizing and implementing the Lebanon and U.S.-based exchange program and supporting any other LDF activities or departments. This position works with professionals ages 25 – 35 from 16 countries in the Middle East and North Africa as participants of the LDF Program. The appointee requires excellent coordination, communication and planning skills along with a detail-oriented focus and ability to coordinate and communicate with the Lebanon exchange participants, fellowship host organizations and partners effectively.

Program Assistant Responsibilities and Duties:

• Contribute in preparation of all needed program documents;
• Play a supporting role in participant visa processing;
• Assist in arranging program logistics that include but is not limited to travel, housing and health coverage;
• Help ensure completion and delivery of all program deliverables by partner organizations and participants;
• Act as liaison between participants and fellowship host organizations in Lebanon;
• Support in the coordination and planning of enrichment seminars, meeting and events;
• Support in managing the program social media outreach;
• Maintain files of all the relevant documents for the exchange program and the program participants and partners.
• Contribute to the distribution and collection of program surveys;
• Help fellows fill out paperwork and other supporting documents;
• Conduct research when needed, help arrange presentations, compile meeting minutes;
• Provide assistance to the U.S.-Based LDF Exchange program when needed;
• Offer both programmatic and administrative support to the LDF program;
• Support the MENA Director and the Program Officer in developing and maintaining a detailed work plan to complete the Lebanon-based exchange program tasks in an efficient and timely manner;
• Ensure timely implementation of all the activities related to the participants’ Lebanon exchange program including organizing, facilitating Lebanon-based fellowships, and continuous follow-up with selected participants and host organizations;
• Contribute to overall project reporting when needed;
• Support World Learning in any other programs as needed.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required from the program assistant. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications and Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, International Affairs, Political Science or other related fields;
• A minimum of one-year equivalent/relevant working experience;
• Proven strong written and oral communication skills in English and Arabic;
• Strong computer and internet proficiency (word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and web-based tools).
• Professional experience using social media platforms is preferable;
• Strong coordination, logistical, and time management stills;
• Demonstrated accuracy, attention to detail, organizational and event planning ability;
• Strong cross-cultural and interpersonal skills;
• Team player, able to work respectfully and cooperatively with colleagues or different national and cultural backgrounds;