Program Officer, Participant and Alumni Engagement, Stevens Digital Leaders

FLSA STATUS : Exempt

Pay Range: $55,000-$65,000

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Officer – Participant and Alumni Engagement will support participant communications, outreach, and alumni programming for the J. Christopher Stevens Digital Leaders Program, a U.S. Department of State-funded program that connects participants in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. The program includes four interconnected components that build on one another: short-term virtual exchanges focused on leadership and professional skills development; virtual internships and project-based learning opportunities with U.S. and MENA organizations; in-person Alumni Accelerator workshops centered on themes such as STEM, artificial intelligence, digital media, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding; and alumni seed funding to support participant-led community impact projects. The Program Officer will help strengthen alumni networks, support strategic communications, and highlight program impact through digital content and outreach activities.

Working closely with the Program Director, the Program Officer will coordinate virtual participant and alumni activities, manage communications platforms, support the in-person Alumni Accelerator events, support alumni impact projects, and collect participant success stories and program data. The position requires strong writing and interpersonal skills, creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to engage audiences across cultures and regions. The position reports to the Director. This is a Washington, D.C.-based position with a hybrid schedule of office and work-from home days (minimum two in-office days).

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

- Leads program-wide recruitment and participant-facing outreach, including applicant communications;

- Takes the lead on alumni engagement and communications activities for the program, including outreach campaigns, alumni workshops, alumni impact projects, and online engagement initiatives including the Alumni Board, alumni mentoring, and monthly alumni networking and professional development opportunities;

- Coordinates participant-facing planning and communications for four alumni accelerators as well as supports implementation;

- Coordinates alumni mini-grants including outreach, selection and implementation;

- Maintains regular communication with participants, alumni, facilitators, and partner organizations across multiple countries and time zones;

- Supports the development and implementation of communications strategies in coordination with program staff;

- Develops and drafts communications materials, including social media content, success stories, promotional materials, and program updates;

- Collects participant testimonials, impact stories, photos, and program highlights for reporting and public outreach purposes;

- Supports management of alumni databases, mailing lists, communications calendars, and digital engagement platforms;

- Coordinates virtual alumni activities, networking opportunities, and events;

- Monitors participant engagement and supports efforts to strengthen alumni retention and long-term community building;

- Supports reporting efforts by drafting reports, communications summaries, and briefing materials;

- Coordinates with program staff to ensure communications and outreach activities align with donor requirements and organizational branding guidelines; and

- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, international relations, international education, marketing, journalism, development, or a related field;

- Experience supporting communications, outreach, alumni engagement, or international exchange programming;

- Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills;

- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail;

- Ability to effectively juggle multiple tasks and deadlines at the same time;

- High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively with participants, partners, and staff across backgrounds;

- Experience developing communications materials for digital platforms and external audiences;

- Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team;

- Ability to take initiative and adapt in a fast-paced environment; and

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, virtual collaboration tools, and social media platforms.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Living or working experience outside the U.S.;

- Experience supporting U.S. government-funded or donor-funded programs;

- Experience managing newsletters, websites, or social media campaigns;

- Basic graphic design, video editing, or digital storytelling skills; and

- Ability and willingness to travel if needed.

BENEFITS

This position is eligible for healthcare benefits

WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Essential functions are performed in a general office setting or remote work environment with low noise. Job demands may require long periods of sitting, telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other team members and external stakeholders and lifting up to 15 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to providing employment opportunities for all individuals, in accordance with current federal regulations. Our focus is on ensuring that all individuals have equal access to employment and advancement opportunities based on merit. American Councils’ commitment to employment opportunity is driven by federal requirements, including Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (supporting individuals with disabilities) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) (protecting covered veterans). We also ensure our employment practices comply with all applicable regulations, including E-Verify requirements for work eligibility. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed and grow, in full compliance with federal law.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.