Program Officer, Mansfield Center

Program Officer, Mansfield Center

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center invites applications for a Program Officer to lead international exchanges under the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), as well as directly with foreign governments and universities, non-profit organizations, and with U.S. embassies. The Program Officer works under the direction of the Director of International Programs to design, plan, implement and submit official reports on their respective programs; supports the Executive Director in proposal writing and prospecting; and works closely with the Director of Communications and Director of International Programs to frame international exchange successes and communicate those to program sponsors, the University, and the public.

The Program Officer manages all aspects of the program, working directly with embassies and consulates on critical visa and participant health and safety protocols; managing and directing sub organizations and ensuring compliance with federal and UM standards and policies; overseeing and managing the daily program operations; designing program curriculum that integrates current best practices; communicating with diverse international, national, and local stakeholders; and manages alumni engagement.

In addition to primary work exchange programs, the Program Officer will also lead and support critical organizational components, including: monitoring and evaluation systems and instruments to measure international exchange impacts and communicate those to the Department of State; lead federal proposal writing efforts for the Center and prospect and strategize other grant opportunities; track international exchange information for the Director of Communications and help frame communication strategies and build communications content; and contribute to additional Mansfield Center programs and activities as a member of the team collaborating on the overall mission to foster globally minded leaders of integrity.

This position is highly self-directed position with significant exercise of discretion and independent judgment with respect to matters of hosting international leaders within the boundaries of the National Security Strategy as interpreted by the U.S. Department of State including health, safety, and security. The candidate must exercise authority to formulate, affect, and support management policies and operating practices that support Mansfield and UM relationships across the community, state, country, and globally. This position may entail international travel as stipulated in the specific exchange programs, to support participants and programming.

This position is responsible for supervision and leadership of multiple support staff as program needs dictate, including but not limited to program coordinators, graduate teaching assistants, undergraduate student interns, and high school interns.

Specific abilities and responsibilities include:

• Ability to exercise authority to formulate, affect, interpret or implement management policies and operating practices, especially those related to implementing federal grants in tandem with State of Montana regulations, in the context of international fellow programs.
• Leading and carrying out major assignments in conducting the standard operations of the Mansfield Center in terms of supporting learning objectives, safety, health, and security of international leaders, scholars, and students.
• Performing work directly related to successful operation of the Center to a substantial degree in such functional areas as marketing, research, personnel management, public relations, government relations, legal and regulatory compliance, database administration, and similar activities related to international visitors.
• Responsibility for Mansfield Center compliance with National Security Strategy in relation to supporting visiting international fellows sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Includes reporting of information on these visiting international fellows to U.S. Department of State counterparts within the standards and expectations of the National Security Strategy to foster mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries.
• Ability to use judgment to assess programming to submit required U.S. Department of State biannual reporting demonstrating understanding of and compliance with National Security Strategy, proposal language, and program goals and objectives.
• Advising international leaders, scholars, and students on requirements for maintaining lawful non-immigrant status on programs.
• Ability to use judgment and discretion to monitor international visitors and engage on reportable events to UM administration, local authorities, the U.S. Department of State, or Homeland Security.
• Expending and tracking grant funds in support of international leaders, scholars, and student programs.
• Exercising authority to waive or deviate from established policies and procedures without prior approval in order to support the best interests of the National Security Strategy and the visiting international leaders, scholars, and students, collaborating with other members of the Mansfield Center team as required.
• Managing programs organized under the auspices of the National Security Strategy, including: developing, organizing, troubleshooting and coordinating overall direction of programs, with a focus on U.S. Department of State Study of the U.S. Institute grant projects.
• Exercising discretion to utilize and introduce essential technology, website management systems, social media, and databases as necessary to support international leaders, scholars, and students, specifically within the lens of national security, confidentiality, and export controls.
• Exercising authority and discretion to supervise multiple personnel at varying levels of responsibility including program coordinators, graduate teaching assistants, and undergraduate students.
• Managing and supporting U.S. State Department grant projects and those in partnership with other federal agencies, foreign universities, governments, and non-profit organizations, with a focus on design, planning and management of each exchange program.
• Managing daily communications with global participants and U.S.-based participants, as well as inquiries from the public.
• Identifying families and match homestay families for cultural component of exchanges.
• Advising global and U.S. participants and families on cultural communication, adjustments, and logistical issues.
• Coordinating and organizing participant travel, visas, and expenses, communicating with necessary partner organizations and following applicable procedures.
• Providing support to participants needed, including emergencies or urgent issues outside of regular business hours and across time zones.
• Providing dedicated individual support to participants with disabilities, assisting them in order to be comfortable and successful in the program.
• Monitoring the budget, track expenses, and manage budget oversight and semi-annual reconciliation.
• Maintaining and organizing information necessary for bi-annual grant reporting, compiling reports, demonstrating impact and progress on program goals.
• Building and managing partnerships with other institutions, including subaward partners, ensuring quality of programming across a multi-state area, communicating regularly and effectively regarding logistics, budget, contracts, fellowships and homestay placements, cultural activities, implementation, and program wrap-up.
• Ensuring that the program is accurately represented and amplified on the Mansfield website, social media, and other outreach platforms, and working with the Director of Communications on strategy and content.
• Supporting grant proposals, collecting and organizing necessary information and coordinating proposal efforts with the Mansfield Center team.
• Representing the Center as the lead manager on each exchange program, independently managing international and local participant recruitment and acceptance as applicable to each program; participant communications; as well as any other operational requirements which are required in the development and implementation of this program.
• Overseeing and managing participant safety and welfare, complying with U.S. Department of State and lead grantor procedures and policies, as well as University of Montana regulations.
• Working collaboratively with the Mansfield Center team on other exchange programs, events, and special projects as they arise.
• Ensuring participant information is added to relevant databases and alumni information is regularly updated.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action : Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

• Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Salary for this position is $52,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrate independent judgment, discretion, professionalism, initiative, critical thinking skills, independent thought and action, and the ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Capacity to use discretion and judgment to establish and maintain working relationships with critical federal partners, including Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State; critical state partners including Office of the Governor and other executive branch agencies; across UM; and with all relevant NGO, corporate, and government partners.
• Demonstrate considerable and varied communication skills using discretion and independent judgment required to represent the program to such partners in written and verbal exchanges, including in official reporting procedures related to the National Security Strategy.
• Proven ability to succeed in a cross-cultural environment, both here in the U.S. as well as overseas, including performing on a team with individuals from different backgrounds, cultures, and abilities.
• Capacity to actively engage in long work days; for example, meeting program participants arriving at the Missoula International Airport at 1:00 am and starting program activities the same day at 8:00 am, recognizing the need to exercise discretion and judgment to balance the overall workweek.
• Excellent verbal and written skills, including communication with domestic and international audiences.
• Advanced technical writing skills.
• International experience, such as study, work, or extensive travel.
• Ability to handle a high volume of communications from audiences with a variety of backgrounds, across time zones.
• Extensive experience handling many tasks and details, executing work efficiently and accurately.
• Ability to accept and integrate unexpected and immediate deadlines into workflow.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Ability to create communications content and analyze communications strategies.
• Ability to be flexible and maintain positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to work independently, but also collaboratively and communicate effectively as a team.
• Ability to build relationships, inspire trust and confidence with multiple audiences, domestic and global.
• Ability to manage staff collaborating on the exchange, including program coordinators and interns.
• Ability to be successful in both a traditional office setting and also in dynamic field situations, such as during program implementation.
• Ability to travel when required, occasionally under strenuous circumstances.
• Ability to drive across Montana and to other states on field studies or site visits.
• Ability to accompany program groups to Washington, DC or other urban centers for up to one week.
• Ability to represent the Mansfield Center on international programs if needed, for up to two weeks.
• Ability to accompany inexperienced travelers.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field related to the mission of the Mansfield Center (international relations, communications, education, etc.) or any combination of experience and education that provides the competencies necessary to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a field related to the mission of the Mansfield Center: international relations, public administration, communications, political science, etc.
• Experience working in international education.
• Working knowledge of federal guidelines as they relate to grant awards.
• Experience working with the U.S. Department of State.
• Experience working or living abroad in a region where the Center operates international exchanges.
• Partial or full fluency in a foreign language.

About UM and the Mansfield Center

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center is an academic unit of the University of Montana dedicated to fostering globally minded leaders of integrity to achieve a world in which we act with respect and integrity undeterred by our differences. Founded by an Act of Congress in 1983, we honor the life’s work of Senator Mike Mansfield and his wife Maureen to act with integrity in bipartisan leadership, support of democracy, and in global engagement, particularly with Asia.



To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.

• University of Montana
  • University Highlights

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.
In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.
ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.
Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.
References *References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.
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E mployment Eligibility. All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

Priority Application Date: Friday, June 24, 2022

Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. Application review will begin on after the date above and continue until the position is filled.

Please submit the following application materials via "New Resume/CV" button below.

*Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

• Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Job Location Missoula, Montana, United States
Position Type Full-Time/Regular