Program Associate

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $100 million and more than 600 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

But around the globe, persistent poverty, repression, and injustice prevent too many people form achieving their full potential. To address these problems, we focus on people, not on vaccines, roads, or wells. We support individuals and institutions to create change in their own communities—and to create person to person bridges between nations.

IREX works with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

IREX seeks a Temporary Program Associate for the U.S. Department of State’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, the flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI). The Fellowship brings young leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training and creates unique opportunities for Fellows and U.S. professionals to collaborate as they spur economic growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa and the United States.

The Temporary Program Associate will primarily support event planning for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, in areas such as administration, compliance, participant and partner engagement, strategic communications, research, technology and virtual platform support, and logistics management.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Interest or experience in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or leadership development.
• Interest or experience in international exchange and/or professional development programming.
• Work, volunteer, or internship experience with universities, non-profits, or similar organizations managing international education or development programs; or equivalent.
• Experience with virtual and/or in-person event planning.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups and teams toward a shared goal.
• Experience managing difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated computer and data management skills, including Microsoft Excel, and interest to learn other software tools; experience with Salesforce preferred.
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail and project self-management.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member with consistent ability to take initiative, meet deadlines, and be flexible.
• Excellent time management skills, including ability to prioritize and multi-task.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Ability to provide reliable customer service to diverse stakeholders, such as funders, corporate and university partners, and international participants.

Your Daily Tasks

• Support the management of program email inboxes.
• Assist in arranging virtual and/or in-person event logistics and producing event materials and resources as needed.
• Compile and track a wide range of participant information and project data, supporting data collection and maintaining accuracy and completeness.
• Support the administration of the Fellowship’s platforms/systems.
• Contribute to the production of program reports, materials, and content.
• Conduct research as needed.
• Support communications with program participants and partners.
• Assist with developing and tracking traditional and social media communications content as needed.
• Work with program partners and participants, including communicating program updates, answering questions, and assisting with logistics.
• Support the accurate reconciliation of program expenses each month as needed.
• Process and maintain financial records and transactions as needed.
• Support team leadership in all aspects of program implementation to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables.
• Create a positive team environment adhering to IREX’s organizational values and management principles.
• Proactively support IREX’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts.
• Represent IREX and Leadership Practice Area interests both within and outside of IREX.

IREX will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments of 2008.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Telework. The eligible employee is a regular, full-time DC-based staff who works from a worksite outside the DC office for one or more days a week.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.

All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply. AA/EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled