Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. 

Global Communities is developing a roster for the Program Officer position to join the Sustainable Development - Program Operations team. 

This position is eligible for hybrid or fully remote and may be based at any Global Communities office including Silver Spring, San Diego, or selected international field locations.

This is an open continuous posting which allows applicants to apply up to the closing date of the announcement, 09/30/2023. The posting will be used to fill any anticipated vacancies. Selections may be made from certificates issued up to 12 months after the 1st cut-off date listed below. Contingent upon funding and space requirements, one or more vacancies may be filled at the locations listed in this announcement as they become available. Applicants need to apply and/or update their applications by 11:59 pm ET at the close of each of the following cutoff dates to be considered 01/23/2023, 04/27/2023, 07/26/2023 and 10/24/2023. This posting may be amended to include additional cut-off dates within the 12-month period if needed, not later than 5 days prior to the additional cut-off date or the final selection date.

The primary responsibility of the Program Officer is to coordinate and provide program management and backstopping support to a portfolio of assigned projects within the Americas. The Program Officer provides direct support across the project life cycle from start-up and implementation, to close-out, and is the primary point of contact at Headquarters (HQ) for project information, status, performance, donor requirements, and communication. The Program Officer’s country and project portfolio will be determined based on regional needs and priorities and may shift from time to time based on the evolving nature of the regional program portfolio.

1. Award Management

• Provide effective award management and first-line donor compliance support across the award life cycle for assigned projects. Ensure compliance with contractual requirements, donor regulations and internal policies and procedures.
• Serve as the official point of contact for external communication with donors in relation to donor agreement, prior approvals, budget, modifications, and donor deliverables. Serve as the internal point of contact for communication around budget, contractual requirements, and donor regulations.
• Coordinate the review, negotiation and approval process for new donor agreements, sub-agreements, and modifications. Coordinate process to modify agreements and realign project budgets, including securing donor approvals.

2. Financial Management

• Support the development of accurate fiscal year and life-of-project budgets. Coordinate and facilitate the development, review, internal approval and submission of annual budgets and monthly forecasts.
• Monitor program expenditures against approved workplans, donor budgets and obligations, forecasts, and cost share requirements. Analyze burn rates and other financial trends; recommend mitigating actions as appropriate; communicate issues to the Senior Regional Manager for further action.

3. Program Management & Support

• Organize, facilitate, coordinate, and ensure the optimal implementation of Project Support Teams for assigned projects. Function as the “hub” and first-line liaison and coordination focal point at HQ for COPs/Project Directors and Country Directors in relation to projects.
• Coordinate project start-up and close-out processes in collaboration with Program Support Teams, field leadership, and other HQ functions.
• Coordinate the development, review, approval, and timely submission of donor reports, annual workplans, budgets, and other donor deliverables. Partner with COPs to ensure the quality of donor reports and deliverables.
• In coordination with the Project Support Team, monitor, analyze and investigate project performance, trends, and variances, including for partners. Follow-up, coordinate and facilitate action planning to resolve performance or quality gaps. Communicate performance progress and issues to relevant internal stakeholders.
• Conduct visits to country offices and project sites as needed to provide technical or operational support, increase awareness and understanding of program context and approach, partner with country and project leads to strengthen operational processes and address issues.

4. Business Development

• Contribute to proposal development as needed and appropriate, including background and situational analyses, competitor analyses, development of management and staffing plans, organizational capacity statements, proposal budgets and cost applications and/or other components as appropriate.

5. Learning & Knowledge Management

• Support the development of program management systems, policies and procedures, and provide training and capacity strengthening to field and HQ counterparts. Continuously improve program management processes based on feedback, best practices and lessons learned.
• Ensure project files and document library is created, updated and maintained on the internal content and knowledge management system (Sharepoint).

POSITION SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Travel internationally and domestically up to 20 percent of time
• Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity and innovation

• Growing knowledge of the international development field, including public and private sector actors, and donor trends at both global and regional levels
• High level of proficiency in USG rules and regulations and their application, especially in relation to the administration of cooperative agreements. Experience with USG contracts highly desirable.
• Demonstrated skills in financial management including budget management, financial analysis, cost share management, indirect cost recovery.
• Excellent knowledge of and skills in standard project management methods and practices in international development. Recognized project management certification (e.g., PMP, PMD Pro) a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of operations, finance, administration, procurement, logistics, HR, legal, and security functions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop financial, programmatic, and contractual trend analyses. Excellent analytical skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills. Proven ability to write and edit successful work plans, donor reports, and other program management documents. Proven ability to effectively communicate with others.
• Excellent organizational skills. Accuracy and attention to detail. Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet conflicting deadlines with minimum supervision.
• Fluency in English (written and verbal) required; working language proficiency may be required for specific country programs.
• Advanced computer skills in a Windows based environment including the Microsoft Suite. Comfortable working with large amounts of data and Excel spreadsheets. Demonstrated ability to utilize technology solutions to support effective program management and operations.
• Able to work in a diverse, multi-cultural team environment across geographies, and involving matrix relationships with other functions and departments.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated strong sense of team, a positive attitude and a commitment to operational excellence.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent facilitation and coordination skills.

• Undergraduate degree and a minimum of two years of related work experience or a minimum of six years of related work experience.
• Demonstrated progressively greater levels of responsibility in a program management, grants management or operations role with for-profit or not-for-profit development organizations.
• Professional experience from an international assignment strongly preferred, with a preference in the region.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must have U.S. Work authorization if based in U.S. 
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities.

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented.  The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct.

NOTE:

As an organization working to advance public health, Global Communities has an obligation to model best practices and to do all we can to protect each other, our partners and the communities where we work.  To ensure the continuity and effectiveness of our business operations, Global Communities is adopting a policy to safeguard the health of our visitors, employees, families, and the larger global community from COVID-19.  Effective January 3, 2022, all U.S.-based Global Communities employees are required to provide proof of having received full dosage of COVID-19 vaccine that is FDA approved, approved for emergency use authorization, or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with Global Communities, as a condition of employment.

Salary range:  The salary range is $54,880 - $89,400.  The final salary determination is based on a variety of factors including internal equity, experience, budget, location, etc.