Program Officer (IVLP) at World Learning – Washington, District of Columbia

Reports to: Senior Program Officer

Salary Range: $54,384-$61,182 depending on experience

Anticipated Start Date: May 18, 2026

Term of Employment: Full-time

Apply by: April 24, 2026 with resume and cover letter (required)

Base of Designation: Washington, DC

Remote Eligible: Hybrid only (must be based in Washington, DC and must be willing to meet in person at least once per week and as needed for project work)

Conditional on Funding? Yes - position funded until 12/31/26; will be renewed pending satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

World Learning seeks a Program Officer to support the implementation of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), the flagship professional exchange program of the U.S. Department of State. This position provides an opportunity to engage with international leaders in a range of fields, learn about key U.S. foreign policy issues, and help forge international partnerships by designing and executing short-term exchange programs. The ideal candidate will be an experienced professional with a proven ability to design and implement multiple projects, work both independently and collaboratively, and communicate clearly and effectively with a variety of partners and stakeholders. As part of a larger team of 15 IVLP staff, the program officer should possess excellent judgment, leadership ability, and dedication to international exchange.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 2-3 in designing, implementing, and monitoring short-term professional exchange programs, for projects ranging in size from 3 to 25 participants from every region of the world on a wide range of domestic and foreign policy topics;
• Collaborate with U.S. Department of State program officers and other stakeholders to ensure that programs meet the objectives of all stakeholders;
• Write project proposals outlining potential itineraries, meeting formats and platforms, and recommended resources;
• Plan and arrange the Washington, DC program segment;
• Oversee the development of program segments in U.S. cities in conjunction with local partner organizations;
• Authorize, monitor, and reconcile the accurate disbursement of project funds in compliance with World Learning and State Department financial management guidelines;
• Supervise the implementation of all project logistics (including air and ground travel, hotels, meeting venues, and virtual meetings, including interpretation and/or webinars);
• Conduct project briefings with participants; provide guidance on cultural matters; moderate program sessions; or host, facilitate, or produce virtual meetings for participants, as required;
• Draft and edit program materials and correspondence, including program books, agendas or itineraries, reports, or other materials;
• Participate in any project-related social media activity, including posting articles and photos to interact with external partners and participants;
• Conduct final group evaluations in person, traveling 2-4 times per year for 2-3 days to various U.S. locations;
• Write final evaluation reports or other project reports and oversee project follow-up and closeout;
• Supervise Program Associate and interns, promote Program Associate's professional training and development, and conduct performance reviews; and
• Contribute to the achievement of team, organizational, and network-wide goals and the overall management of the Global Programs unit.

As members of World Learning's staff, program officers also have various opportunities for professional development, including skill-building workshops, shadowing sessions with internal and external entities, and brownbag lunches on various topics relevant to international education and exchange.

Requirements

Required Experience/Education:

• Master's degree with 2+ years of experience, or bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience;
• Two years' supervisory and/or workflow direction experience;
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the location where this position is offered.

Required Skills:

• Effective presentation, communications, and interpersonal skills, including strong written and oral communication skills in English;
• Demonstrated skills in leadership and collaboration, sound judgment, and an ability to work effectively with a wide range of people;
• Ability to apply thematic research to the design of exchange programs;
• Broad knowledge of and interest in domestic and foreign policy issues and well-developed research skills;
• Demonstrated experience with organizing or overseeing logistics for events or travel;
• Experience with successfully managing multiple tasks at the same time, while meeting deadlines;
• Experience with various web conferencing platforms, including Zoom, Webex, and Microsoft Teams;
• An ability to problem-solve, work with responsibility, and make decisions in ambiguous situations;
• Strong attention to detail, including in written work and financial tasks;
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 Suite, web conferencing platforms, and other cloud-based document management and online project management tools;
• Fluency in written and spoken English

Required Behaviors/Competencies:

• Ability to be flexible and adaptable, including willingness to work in remote/hybrid teams, across time zones, and occasionally outside of normal working hours, as required;
• Willingness to travel domestically 2-4 times per year for a few days each time;
• Ability to effectively cope with change; able to shift comfortably, decide and act without having the total picture; comfortably handle risk and uncertainty.
• Understands how to cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with a variety of stakeholders;
• Supports a culture of continuous learning and improvement through diligent program monitoring, data tracking, and reflection to ensure strong outcomes;
• Shows dedication to the organization's business development targets through ongoing, effective program implementation and relationship building;

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with program design preferred;
• International or intercultural experience is appreciated, as reflected in personal background or international work or study experience;
• Experience implementing U.S. Department of State-funded programs is valued but not required

Benefits

World Learning provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, FSA/HRA, Life/AD&D, Short Term/Long Term Disability, EAP, Parking and Transit, 403 (b) retirement plan for full-time and eligibile part-time employees.

For more than 90 years, World Learning Inc. is a thriving global organization made up of The Experiment in International Living, the nation's most experienced provider of international education through exchanges for high school students; School for International Training, offering accredited undergraduate study abroad programs through SIT Study Abroad and internationally focused master's degrees through SIT Graduate Institute; and World Learning, a global development and exchange nonprofit organization.

World Learning has worked to create a more sustainable, peaceful, and just world. World Learning's education, development, and exchange programs help people find their voices, connect with their communities, strengthen the institutions that form the backbone of a democratic society, and build relationships across cultures. With World Learning's support, these emerging leaders tackle critical global issues like poverty, conflict, and inequality.

The Experiment in International Living is the nation's most experienced provider of international education through exchanges for high school students. For more than 90 years, The Experiment has empowered young people to step off the beaten path, experience the world as a classroom, immerse themselves fully in another culture, and build the knowledge and skills needed to confront critical global issues.

School for International Training (SIT) was founded in the early 1960s as a training center for the first Peace Corps volunteers. For nearly 60 years, SIT has prepared students to be effective changemakers and global citizens through experiential education focused on the world's most critical global issues. SIT Study Abroad offers accredited summer and semester undergraduate programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, as well as comparative programs on multiple continents. SIT Graduate Institute offers global and hybrid certificates, master's, and doctoral degrees.