Director, Global Education Program Development

Position Title: Director, Global Education Program Development

Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid, 3 days a week in our DC office)

Department: Global Youth & Education

Reports to: Senior Director, Global Education Strategy & Programming

Salary Range for US Based Staff: $86,660 - $101,953

 

Position Summary:

The Director, Global Education Program Development will work with the Senior Director, Global Education Strategy & Programming to oversee technical assistance and project operations for Unified Champion Schools (UCS) globally. The Director will work closely with Special Olympics Program Staff and Special Olympics Regional Staff to expand and sustain Unified Champion Schools by all project operations, technical assistance, project start-up and close-out, and drive continued expansion. This role requires strong project management skills, strategic oversight, and effective stakeholder coordination to ensure the successful implementation, growth, and sustainability of UCS initiatives.

Overview of Unified Champion Schools: With sports as the foundation, Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools® (UCS) is a school-based strategy that equips young people with tools and training to create sports, classroom, and community experiences that improve attitudes and behaviors among all young people with and without ID. Meaningfully, youth are not just recipients. Instead, they are the architects of lasting change and community building. From Pre-K through university, UCS intentionally promotes meaningful social inclusion by bringing together students with and without ID to create accepting school environments utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership, and whole school engagement.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Program Leadership and Strategic Oversight:
   • Drive the global implementation of Unified Champion Schools (UCS) programming through effective project management and coordination with diverse stakeholders.
   • Identify strategies and provide direct support to Programs to enhance infrastructure, systems, processes, and skills necessary for program expansion.
2. Data Analysis and Continuous Improvement:
   • Oversee the continuous review of program data to drive recommendations and improvements in UCS implementation processes globally.
   • Track key performance indicators to monitor program effectiveness and identify opportunities for enhancement.
3. Stakeholder Engagement and Communication:
   • Facilitate communication between SOI Headquarters staff, Regional offices, consultants, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and collaboration.
   • Design and implement communication strategies, including monthly meetings, resource libraries, and digital platforms, to support Programmatic needs and knowledge sharing.
4. Partnership Development and Project Management:
   • Create partnerships with global entities to drive on-the-ground implementation and success of UCS.
   • Direct project start-up and close-out processes, ensuring adherence to goals, metrics, and reporting requirements.
   • Spearhead technical assistance, sustainability efforts, and partnerships to support successful project outcomes and global expansion.
   • Maintain and improve office systems, including data management and record-keeping practices.
   • Lead grant reporting efforts, ensuring compliance and providing robust reporting to grant donors.

 

Required Qualifications

• Excellent organization, time management, and communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, diverse environment with meticulous attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to collaborate effectively within a team
• Proficiency in current workplace technology, including remote collaborative tools
• Expertise in drafting, editing and proof-reading documents in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Genuine commitment to Special Olympics and social inclusion initiatives

• Self-motivated and adept at working independently with minimal supervision
• Extensive experience in global education
• Robust project management and change management capabilities
• Background in non-profit organizations or other NGOs, with grant management experience
• Strong analytical skills with ability to summarize and interpret data effectively
• Demonstrated global awareness and proficiency in cross-cultural environments