FHI 360's Global Connections Department designs and implements academic, professional, cultural, and youth exchange programs for students and emerging leaders around the world. For more than 30 years, we have helped emerging leaders from around the world develop their skills, make valuable global contacts and gain a deeper understanding of each other’s societies and cultures. Our programs are enriched by our expertise in adult and youth learning approaches, a wide range of disciplines and sectors, and our extensive experience in every aspect of project design, implementation and evaluation.
The Program Officer II will report to the Program Manager of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Study Abroad Oversight, Monitoring, and Support Program within the Global Connections Department and serve as the lead Study Abroad Advisor of the Tomorrow’s Leaders Study Abroad Oversight, Monitoring, and Support Program.
- Program Officer will serve as the DC-based point of contact for undergraduate students from the MENA region who will travel to U.S. universities to complete a study abroad semester;
- Conduct research and outreach, at current and potential U.S. host universities and host communities, to identify contacts and opportunities for civic engagement, leadership opportunities, and cultural events;
- Coordinate closely with the U.S. host university Campus Coordinators to support the well-being and success of the students;
- Lead social media monitoring and engagement efforts in coordination with the larger Tomorrow’s Leaders Scholarship Program efforts;
- Lead collection of student success stories for reporting and storytelling activities;
- Provide students with any necessary admissions support during the non-degree student admission process (this could include extensive outreach and application support);
- Support academic and personal logistics for students before their arrival in the U.S. and during their study abroad semester (including assisting students with university registration process, securing of required documents, selecting housing and dining programs, course registration, etc.);
- Support the planning and facilitation of logistics and lead the delivery of sessions during the DC-based orientations;
- Monitor, track, and report on student academic progress, conduct, and well-being using a variety of tools, including Terra Dotta and Asana;
- Conduct site visits to U.S.-based host universities to ensure well-being of scholars;
- Serve as Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) and understand, interpret, and apply J-1 regulations as applicable to students;
- Support the planning and assist with the delivery of the virtual re-entry workshop;
- Collaborate with the Tomorrow’s Leaders Program Manager on administrative and financial processes;
- Significantly contribute to revision of program policies and documents, as needed;
- Work with the Program Manager to support compliance with record-keeping protocols and tracking to ensure complete and auditable scholar files;
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, Academic Programs staff, partners’ staff and stakeholders; and
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- At least 5 years’ relevant professional work experience;
- Knowledge of and familiarity with higher education in the U.S. and Regional countries (MENA-based countries preferred);
- Experience with creating and delivering short term training programs (preferred);
- Ability to problem solve and implement corrective action as needed;
- Strong organization and communication skills;
- Ability to build relationships in cross-cultural contexts and with diverse groups of stakeholders;
- Ability to provide guidance / mentorship to participants with diverse backgrounds;
- Ability to work independently, and exercise good judgment with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action;
- Must be a team player and able to work with and through others; and,
- Must be U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident, as required by law to be an ARO.