Program Officer, Protection Constellation

Meridian International Center; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 68,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Partial remote work

Job summary

Meridian International Center in Washington, DC, seeks a Program Officer for Project Constellation to manage day-to-day activities, coordinate with US government stakeholders, and support international convenings, workshops, and partnerships. The role requires strong project management, writing, and research skills, with travel and and multi-stakeholder collaboration as core elements.

The position is based in Washington, with a possible partial remote option and significant onsite presence

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations or related field; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in international programs or public diplomacy.
• Experience managing government-funded programs and multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage planning and implementation of Project Constellation activities within budgets and timelines.
• Coordinate with U.S. government stakeholders and international partners.
• Lead event production, including multi-day conferences and workshops.
• Monitor progress, report to the Project Director, and adjust plans as needed.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Conference planning

Writing & reporting

Research

Education

Bachelor’s degree (International Relations or related)

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

Salesforce

SharePoint

Zoom

Job description

Description

Titlee: Program Officer, Project Constellation

Salary: $68,250–$89,250

Employment Status: Full-Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Direct Reports: None

Supervisor Title: Project Director

Summary of Position

Working closely with the Project Director and Meridian’s broader Space Diplomacy Initiative,

the Program Officer will manage day-to-day implementation of assigned program activities,

coordinate with U.S. government stakeholders and consortium partners, and support the

development and delivery of international convenings, technical workshops, capacity-building

programs, commercial engagement activities, and strategic partnerships.

The position requires strong project management, conference planning and execution,

stakeholder engagement, research, writing, and organizational skills. An interest in

international space policy, emerging technologies, commercial innovation, or multilateral

diplomacy is helpful. The Program Officer will contribute to monitoring and evaluation, program

reporting, budget management, and communications to ensure effective implementation and

measurable results.

This position is based in Washington, D.C., and requires residence in Maryland, Washington,

D.C., or Virginia. Partial remote work may be permitted, with a significant onsite presence

required. Domestic and international travel, including to Vienna and other international

convenings, is anticipated.

Requirements

Position Responsibilities

Program Management and Implementation

• Manage planning and implementation of assigned Project Constellation activities, ensuring alignment with program objectives, work plans, budgets, timelines, and U.S. Department of State requirements.
• Develop and maintain implementation schedules, activity trackers, staffing plans, and deliverables across multiple workstreams and partners.
• Manage planning and delivery of the annual, multi-day U.S. Space Forum in Vienna, including agenda development, speaker engagement, participant outreach, stakeholder coordination, and on-site execution; coordinate runs of show and ensure a high-quality attendee experience.
• Lead non-content event production, including stage design, signage, audiovisual coordination, and event marketing, in collaboration with partners and vendors.
• Coordinate strategic sideline events, workshops, study tours, technical exchanges, webinars, and capacity-building activities in the United States and internationally.
• Oversee program logistics, travel, venues, vendors, and participant services in collaboration with program staff and partners.
• Monitor implementation progress, address challenges, and recommend adjustments to ensure timely, high-quality program delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Development

• Serve as a day-to-day liaison with UNVIE, U.S. Department of State offices, Meridian teams, consortium partners, and other program stakeholders.
• Cultivate relationships with U.S. embassies, foreign diplomatic missions, government agencies, international organizations, commercial space companies, universities, and industry associations.
• Support stakeholder mapping, country assessments, partnership matchmaking, commercial delegations, and industry engagement initiatives.
• Track stakeholder engagement, partnership opportunities, and follow-up actions to advance sustained collaboration.

Program Content, Research, and Communications

• Develop agendas, concept notes, speaker invitations, briefing materials, discussion questions, presentations, and other substantive program documents.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to ensure program content reflects participant needs and U.S. government priorities.
• Support virtual learning activities, technical briefings, and educational resources.
• Collaborate with Meridian’s Communications team and partners on website content, program updates, digital outreach, and administration of Project Constellation’s online engagement platforms.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Support implementation of the project's monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework, including tracking performance indicators, participation, and partnership outcomes.
• Develop participant surveys, collect feedback, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to assess program effectiveness.
• Maintain accurate program records and prepare activity summaries, progress updates, and contributions to funder reports.
• Document program outcomes, success stories, lessons learned, and recommendations to strengthen future activities.

Financial and Administrative Management

• Develop and monitor program budgets, expenditures, and financial documentation in coordination with the Project Director and Finance team.
• Support procurement, vendor contracting, invoice processing, and financial reconciliation in compliance with federal award requirements and Meridian policies.
• Monitor partner and vendor deliverables, maintain organized project records, and support risk management and administrative compliance.
• Contribute to proposal development, partner outreach, and sustainability initiatives supporting Project Constellation and Meridian's broader space diplomacy programming.
• Complete organizational administrative responsibilities and other duties as assigned.

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, International Development, Science and Technology Policy, Business, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in international programs, project management, conference and event planning, public diplomacy, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex programs, international convenings, professional exchanges, or multi-stakeholder initiatives, including hands‑on responsibility for planning and executing multi-day conferences.
• Experience managing U.S. government-funded programs, preferably Department of State grants or cooperative agreements, including budgeting, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and partner coordination.
• Experience engaging government officials, diplomatic missions, international organizations, private-sector representatives, and other senior-level stakeholders.
• Familiarity with international space policy, emerging technologies, commercial innovation, or multilateral processes, including the United Nations, is helpful but not required.
• Experience supporting international partnerships, public‑private collaboration, or commercial engagement initiatives; international work or study experience preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience demonstrating the ability to perform the position's essential functions will be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional project management and organizational skills, including conference planning and execution, with the ability to manage complex activities, competing priorities, and tight deadlines independently.
• Strong research, analytical, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to translate technical and policy information into clear program materials and reports.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills, with the diplomacy, professionalism, and discretion required to engage government officials, international partners, and industry leaders.
• Understanding of international cooperation, U.S. foreign policy, and public-private partnerships, with the ability to learn new subject matter and work effectively with space policy and technical experts.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, adaptability, and proactive problem-solving skills in fast‑paced, dynamic environments.
• Commitment to Meridian's values of nonpartisan collaboration, global engagement, and mutual understanding.

Technical Requirements:

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel,
• PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint.
• Experience using project management tools, shared databases, and collaborative digital workspaces.
• Familiarity with virtual event platforms, including Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Experience with CRM and stakeholder management platforms, such as Salesforce, preferred.
• Familiarity with website content management systems, digital communications tools, and online engagement platforms is helpful.
• Ability to manage program data, track performance indicators, and produce professional reports and presentations

Employer’s Statement

Meridian is committed to empowering global leaders and amplifying voices from a wide variety of backgrounds to create pathways for greater understanding, shared values, and respect. Connecting people has been our foundation for more than 65 years. If you share our values and enthusiasm for promoting non-partisan collaboration to address global challenges and opportunities, you can find a home at Meridian.

As an equal opportunity employer, Meridian is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, personal appearance, family responsibilities, marital status, matriculation, political affiliation, veteran or military status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, District of Columbia, or local law. This commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.

Meridian provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and to individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs and practices, and for pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, as required by applicable law. Applicants who require an accommodation during the application or interview process are encouraged to contact Human Resources.

Meridian offers a comprehensive benefits package, which may include medical, dental, retirement, life and disability insurance, voluntary benefits, paid leave, and paid holidays. Eligibility and coverage are subject to the applicable plan documents and Meridian policies.