Program Officer, American Friends Service Committee

Posted by on July 02, 2012

Program Officer, American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)

Posted on: June 19, 2012

Apply online: https://jobs-afsc.icims.com/jobs/1242/job

Deadline is July 10, 2012

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Program Officer
DEPARTMENT: Integration and Impact
STATUS: Full-Time
SUPERVISOR: Assistant General Secretary for Integration and Impact
LOCATION: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

BACKGROUND
The newly-established Integration and Impact Department has two objectives: (1) to support program work that is strategic as directed by the Board and (2) to strengthen the connection, focus and integration of local programs working on related issues or using similar approaches. To achieve these objectives we will:

a) Facilitate communication and connection among program staff from across the organization, especially between and among international and U.S. programs;
b) Identify themes and shared approaches across programs and geographic locations that offer opportunities for greater effectiveness through joint planning;
c) Support effective planning and implementation of programs involving staff in multiple locations;
d) Seek new and innovative approaches that will have greater impact in achieving organizational goals;
e) Facilitate shared analyses and the development of resources to support programs in multiple locations.

Established in February 2012, the success of the Integration and Impact Department depends upon staff members who possess core competencies for programs support. These include (a) initiative and creativity; (b) expertise in an AFSC program content area; (c) cultural competence to ensure that there is diversity in program work across age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status; (d) proven ability to work with individuals to achieve collaborative ends; (e) proven ability to analyze problems skillfully; and (f) training and experience in program monitoring and evaluation.

The key responsibilities of the Program Officer include the following:

Organizational Support

Work with staff members across the organization to identify and nurture projects that can become collaborative or joint programs.
Assist in identifying partnerships and coalitions that will enhance program work and help in the designation of staff persons to represent the AFSC on each.
Work with the Department of Planning and Evaluation to provide periodic analyses of progress being made in achieving joint program objectives.
Develop periodic reports around issues and trends in peace and justice work to share with program staff members and program leadership.
Serve as an expert resource in content area to assist staff members in continuous program improvement, keeping abreast of and disseminating information about externally accepted program standards where applicable.
Develop and maintain a process for analyzing program activities to determine where technical assistance is needed and establish a system for providing the assistance.
Identify areas where staff training is justified and assist the Department of Planning and Evaluation in determining the best mechanism for meeting the training needs.

Planning and Direction

Convene staff members with different program experiences and facilitate their engaging in peer-to-peer discussions for planning and implementation of program work.
Maintain working knowledge of the skills, expertise, approaches, and effectiveness of regional staff and programs.
Support potential collaborative and joint program work by identifying and responding to needs in the “field” and making recommendations for deployment of expertise and support as needed.
Ensure that work across programs is highly responsive to the changing external landscape and takes advantage of opportunities to bring about positive change in the world.

Financial Involvement

Participate in budget development for joint programs and initiatives working through Integration and Impact.
Assist with developing and monitoring budgets.

Communications

Facilitate communications between and among program staff members and regions.
Represent the mission, values, approaches, and viewpoints of the AFSC to all constituents.
Working with the ASG for Integration and Impact, ensure that regional directors and associate general secretaries are kept abreast of plans and budgets for joint work as these develop.

http://www.idealist.org/view/job/73t8D7s2t6BD/