Program Director, USAID SPARK (Hybrid)

Job Description

The Institute of International Education (IIE) is looking to hire a Program Director, SPARK for for the anticipated USAID Strategic Partnerships for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK) program.

SPARK will fund locally-led research in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), in collaboration with researchers in the U.

S., to develop and disseminate solutions to local and global challenges.

We invite you to join a team united by a single goal : to transform our interconnected world into a network of more peaceful and equitable societies.

IIE’s team members share a belief that when education transcends borders, it opens minds, enabling people to go beyond building connections to solving problems together.

Learn more about IIE, our culture and commitment to DEIA here.

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Job Summary

The SPARK Program Director provides oversight of overall project implementation and deliverables and leads the technical and operational program team located in the U.

S. and at IIE’s international offices. The Program Director is responsible for coordination with USAID (serving as the lead liaison with USAID, responsible for regular check-ins and coordination, as needed throughout the project period), program partners and stakeholders, external representation, and has strong experience in grants management, collaborative research, LMICs, and USAID’s priority areas of development.

The Project Director is responsible for operationalizing the strategic direction of the project, engagements with external entities, and ultimately ensuring all project activities and timelines are completed.

The Program Director will be based in IIE’s Washington, DC office and report to IIE’s Director of USAID Programs.

This position is contingent on funding.

Job Requirements

Education and Work Experience :

Requires a master's degree and at least ten years of related work experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Master’s or other advanced degree in research, international development, public administration / policy, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of international collaboration, preferably in research and higher education partnerships; as well as policy development and enactment processes, preferably in LMIC governments.
• Experience in USG / USAID grants management required.
• Senior-level project management experience of USAID programs and knowledge of USAID and USG policies, strategies, and requirements.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills; must be accurate, detail-oriented and follow through on assignments.
• Proven strong team building, capacity building and management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and analytic skills for presentations and reporting.
• Fluency in English required

Salary and Benefits :

Salary Range : $108,377 131,027.70. A candidate’s salary is determined by various factors including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, internal organizational equity, and geographic region.

IIE offers a robust suite of benefits to team members including medical, dental, and vision plans, paid time off and holidays, student loan and tuition reimbursement programs, professional development reimbursement program, retirement plans and a family medical leave benefits.

Please visit our careers page for further details.

The Institute of International Education ( IIE ) has a hybrid work environment that allows team members a combination of in-office work and telework at any of the locations listed above.

Work Conditions & Physical Demands :

Essential functions are performed in a general office setting with low noise. Job demands may require long periods of sitting;

telephone work and / or computer work, as well as interactions with other team members and external stakeholders. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

IIE is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.