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.

IREX seeks a 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 Program Associate will support programming in areas such as administration, compliance, participant and partner communication via inboxes, data coordination and management, strategic communications, technology and virtual platform support, events, 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.
• 1+ years of work experience; work experience may include internships or part-time jobs or a combination of both.
• Interest or experience in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Interest or experience in leadership development, 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.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including Microsoft Excel, and ability to learn other software tools required.
• Experience and/or interest in data management and analysis, including, but not limited to cleaning and auditing data for accuracy, synthesizing data from multiple sources, and accurately summarizing findings. Salesforce (or comparable CRM/database) and Alchemer (or comparable survey platform) experience preferred.
• Virtual content delivery/communications skills; Canvas (or comparable LMS) experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups and teams toward a shared goal.
• Experience managing difficult situations with tact and diplomacy.
• 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.
• Availability to support program activities in the evenings and on weekends, when needed based on the program cycle (for example, during document review periods in March/April).

Your Daily Tasks

• Support team leadership in all aspects of program implementation to ensure timely and accurate completion of deliverables.
• Compile and track a wide range of participant information and project data, supporting data collection and maintaining accuracy and completeness.
• Support the management of program email inboxes.
• Manage and review project records, such as notifications, terms and conditions, participant forms, and financial paperwork.
• Support the administration of the Fellowship’s platforms/systems.
• Assist in arranging virtual and/or in-person event logistics and producing event materials and resources as needed.
• Work with program partners and participants, including communicating program updates, answering questions, assisting with logistics, and notetaking for calls/meeting sessions.
• Contribute to the production of program reports, materials, and content, and support efforts to ensure the accessibility of materials for users with disabilities.
• Conduct research as needed.
• Assist with developing and tracking traditional and social media communications content as needed.
• Process and maintain procurement records and financial records; process payment requests and invoices while ensuring accuracy and compliance per appropriate timelines; support the accurate reconciliation of program expenses each month per corporate credit card protocols.
• 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.
• Other duties as assigned.

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, including disability/vets.