Program Officer, Mansfield Center

The Mansfield Center invites applications for a Program Officer . The Program Officer is the lead staff member directing the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Professional Fellows Program (YSEALI PFP) of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). This position works under the direction of the Director of International Programs to plan and implement the program and manage ongoing program components, as well as to construct and assess the Mansfield Center’s monitoring and evaluation systems and instruments; and support the Executive Director in proposal writing and prospecting. This position also works closely with the Director of Communications and Director of International Programs to frame international exchange successes and communicate those to the U.S. Department of State and the public.

The Program Officer for YSEALI PFP will oversee and manage the placement of Southeast Asian Fellows with Montana-based organizations and build and strengthen relationships in the Rocky Mountain West to expand placements of fellows and program reach. This position manages all aspects of the program, from leading recruitment and selection of Southeast Asian fellows for the Mansfield Center, representing the Center to the U.S. Department of State, embassies and consulates, and with national stakeholders, and oversees and manages the daily program operations, program curriculum and implementation, communication to international, national, and local audiences, and manages alumni engagement. This position also oversees and plans the travel of U.S. participants to Southeast Asia. This position may entail international travel as stipulated in the specific exchange programs, to support participants and programming.

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.

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, as well as special projects in keeping with the overall intent of the Center’s Mission and UM’s Priorities for Action.
• 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, with a focus on design, planning and management of the YSEALI Professional Fellows Program, with a focus on curriculum, development of program materials, and additional resources.
• 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.

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.
• The standard work schedule will be Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM. This position requires an alternative work schedule during program implementation periods, which may involve working evenings and weekends.
• Salary for this position is $52,000 per year.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (international relations, communications, education, etc.)
• 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.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion to identify needed technologies to maximize efficiencies.
• 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.
• Advanced technical writing skills.
• International experience, such as study, work, or extensive travel.
• Ability to work with and communicate effectively with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• 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 create communications content and analyze communications strategies.
• Ability to be flexible and maintain positive and professional attitude.
• Ability to build relationships, inspire trust and confidence with multiple audiences, domestic and global.
• Ability to solve problems as they arise but in close communication with the Director and relevant partners.
• Ability to manage staff collaborating on the exchange, including program coordinators and interns.
• Ability to be successful in both a traditional office setting and 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a field related to the mission of the Mansfield Center: international relations, public administration, communications, political science, etc.
• Strong network in Montana and extensive knowledge of Montana organizations, agencies, and businesses.
• 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 Professional Fellows Program is a two-way exchange program between young Southeast Asian professionals and U.S. counterparts. The Mansfield Center’s PFP program is part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI). The program is designed to promote mutual understanding, enhance leadership and professional skills, and build lasting partnerships between professionals with shared interests.

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center is an academic unit of the University of Montana dedicated to fostering globally minded leaders of integrity. The Center enhances mutual understanding between the United States Asia, and the world, as well as fostering ethical public policy and leadership

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

• University of Montana
  • Video: Mission First, People Always
  • UM on YouTube

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.
Testing Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

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

Extended Priority Application Date: Wednesday , July 13, 2022 by 11:59 pm MST

Applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. Application review will begin after 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
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

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