The Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES), a division of the Institute of International Education, is a collaborating agency of U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, charged with the administration of the Fulbright Scholar Program, the flagship international exchange program of the U.S. Department of State. The program provides grants to U.S. scholars and professionals to lecture or conduct research abroad (U.S. Program) and brings foreign scholars to the United States to conduct research or lecture (Visiting Program).

Position Summary and Purpose:

As a member of the CIES/IIE management team, the Senior Program Officer serves as lead staff of the Sub-Saharan Africa regional program unit to assure the highest quality of customer service related to the exchange of U.S. and visiting scholars through the so-called traditional Fulbright Scholar Program; works with program staff, counterpart(s) at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State, U.S. embassy posts, scholars, and other partners to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness in the four key areas of the Fulbright Scholar Program cycle: (1) scholar recruitment, (2) selection, (3) grant management and (4) program assessment; contributes proactively toward continued improvements in program efficiency and effectiveness; serves as effective coach to program staff to create a high performing, flexible, team-based work environment that aspires to expose staff to a wide range of responsibilities, projects, and professional development opportunities.

Major Responsibilities:

Serves as program lead to manage and oversee the US and Visiting Fulbright Scholar programs for Sub-Saharan Africa to generate maximum number of qualified scholars in a timely fashion (including recruitment, peer review, selection processing, placement or placement confirmation, grant management, reporting etc.);

Manages regional program unit staff and work flows, and works effectively with ECA, scholars and partners to ensure the highest quality of customer service in delivering programs and services.

Oversees administration of scholar caseloads for specific countries within the region.

Manages budget for ongoing changes to grants.

Manages compliance responsibilities.

Communicates effectively with Director of Scholar Programs to assure maximum coordination and transparency between programs and within the program unit.

Manages change (collaboration, communication, new technologies, new business processes and procedures) and takes responsibility for developing Program Officers and Program Associates (e.g. through project assignments, delegation, coaching, inclusion when attending conferences or conducting workshops).

Additional Responsibilities:

Keeps abreast of policies and regulations affecting U.S. and Visiting Scholars.

Participates in and conducts training events as appropriate.

Assists the Vice President /Executive Director in the development of new program opportunities as appropriate.

Qualifications: Education/Experience/Skills:

Advanced degrees; at least 10 years of experience in program management, implementation and evaluation

Strong management, decision-making, and organizational skills

Excellent communication and analytical skills

Ability to easily adapt to change in a fast-paced work environment

Demonstrated experience in report writing and presentations

Excellent interpersonal skills and cross-cultural sensitivity

Familiarity with management information systems

Experience in working effectively with government/state departments preferred

Experience in higher education and international exchange programs preferred

Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa preferred.