Senior Program Officer for Selection and Placement - Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Western Hemisphere

Senior Program Officer for Selection and Placement

Fulbright Foreign Student Program, Western Hemisphere

Global Programs Unit

Reports to: Senior Manager, Fulbright Foreign Student Program for Western Hemisphere

Salary Range: Grade 4

Anticipated Start Date: 10/1/2024

Term of Employment: Full-time

Apply by: Until filled

Base of Designation: Washington, DC

Remote Eligible: Remote OR Hybrid: either

Conditional on Funding? Yes

World Learning seeks a Senior Program Officer (SPO) for Selection and Placement for the anticipated Fulbright Foreign Student Program for the Western Hemisphere to oversee student selection and university admissions for participants in this important and complex graduate exchange program. The Fulbright Program promotes mutual understanding and creates lasting connections in a complex and changing world. It is the U.S. Government's flagship international educational exchange and is conducted in partnership with participating governments, host institutions, and other entities that provide both direct and indirect support. Participants are selected for their academic merit and leadership potential through a competitive process. The Selection and Placement SPO will provide critical management and technical guidance to a team of Program Officers (POs) tasked with supporting selection of Fulbright WHA students and securing graduate admissions on their behalf. The SPO will report to the Senior Manager.

Recruitment for this position is contingent upon successful award of the project.

ABOUT GLOBAL PROGRAMS

This position will be a part of the Global Programs unit of World Learning which designs, implements, monitors, and evaluates global development and exchange programs. We work with various donors, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, to achieve immediate impact and sustainable outcomes. Consistent with our organization's status as both a global nonprofit and an accredited institution of higher education, we prioritize experiential programs that are grounded in theory, proven in practice, and lift up diverse voices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage a merit-based selection process for Fulbright Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) students working closely with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), Fulbright Commissions, and U.S. Embassies in the region. Develop the student application, including detailed, user-friendly instructions and FAQs. As requested by U.S. Embassies and/or Fulbright Commissions, develop interview questions and objective selection criteria.
• Manage placements at diverse U.S. institutions of higher education that meet Fulbright students' academic needs and U.S. Embassy and Fulbright Commission objectives.
• Conduct periodic trainings for ECA, U.S. Embassies, and Fulbright Commissions to ensure full understanding and encourage use of the Salesforce application portal. Develop an online handbook for the portal and a set of FAQs. Triage any portal issues, in cooperation with the Senior Manager and Salesforce business analyst.
• Oversee intensive English language training component.
• Track student placement budgets to ensure costs presented are reasonable and aligned with institutional cost share agreements.
• Stay abreast of regulations and policies related to the J-1 visa process and work with PO for Immigration to support timely issuance of DS-2019s.
• Hire, train, and supervise team of POs for Selection and Placement. Ensure consistent processes are followed across the team.
• Participate in Fulbright interviews, as requested by U.S. Embassies and/or Fulbright Commissions.
• Participate in scheduled and ad hoc meetings with ECA Grants Officer Representative, Fulbright commissions, U.S. embassies, and host institutions.
• Develop pre-program virtual activities for Fulbright students, including pre-departure webinars.
• Contribute to all required ECA program reporting, working with Program Officers to report program data consistent with MODE and other indicators.

REQUIREMENTS

Required Experience/Education:

• A bachelor's degree is required.
• At least five years of relevant work experience is required.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the location where this position is offered.
• Spanish and/or Portuguese proficiency.

Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of operations of U.S. Department of State-funded academic exchanges, including participant recruitment, selection, placement, and advising.
• Experience with the functionality of a state-of-the-art online portal for program applications and management.
• Knowledge of U.S. hig