Senior Program Officer – Virtual Course Development J. Christopher Stevens Digital Leaders Program

American Councils for International Education; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Job summary

American Councils for International Education seeks a Senior Program Officer to lead design, coordination, and implementation of virtual course development for a U.S. Department of State-funded program. The role focuses on leadership development, cross-cultural exchange, and workforce readiness.

You will work with facilitators, staff, and partners to create accessible online learning experiences for U.S. and MENA participants, ensuring high-quality content and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a related field such as education or international relations
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience in curriculum development or online learning
• Experience managing online, hybrid, or virtual learning programs
• Experience with LMS back-end management; Zoom and Canvas preferred
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Assist the Senior Program Manager in developing virtual exchange course content and learning materials
• Coordinate with facilitators, SMEs, instructional designers, and partners to ensure high-quality curriculum delivery
• Oversee course timelines, deliverables, and production schedules across programs
• Support participant application review, orientation, and on-program assistance
• Integrate leadership development, intercultural learning, digital communication, and workforce readiness into curricula
• Review materials for alignment with objectives, accessibility standards, and donor requirements
• Support facilitator onboarding and ongoing coordination for curriculum implementation
• Monitor feedback and evaluation data to identify improvement opportunities
• Track attendance and completion records
• Collaborate with communications and alumni staff to support engagement and dissemination
• Assist with Canvas integration and technology access for participants and facilitators
• Draft reports, briefs, work plans and curriculum documentation
• Provide progress updates to Program Managers on development progress and challenges
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

Project management

Cross-cultural communication

Written communication

Verbal communication

Multitasking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Zoom

Canvas LMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Senior Program Officer – Virtual Course Development will help lead the design, coordination, and implementation of curriculum and online learning components for the J. Christopher Stevens Digital Leaders Program, a U.S. Department of State-funded program that connects participants in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa. The program includes four interconnected components that build on one another: short-term virtual exchanges focused on leadership and professional skills development; virtual internships and project-based learning opportunities with U.S. and MENA organizations; in-person Alumni Accelerator workshops centered on themes such as STEM, artificial intelligence, digital media, entrepreneurship, and peacebuilding; and alumni seed funding to support participant-led community impact projects. The Senior Program Officer will support instructional quality and ensure that program content aligns with project goals related to leadership development, cross-cultural exchange, digital engagement, and workforce readiness.

Working closely with the Program Manager and broader program team, the Senior Program Officer will coordinate with facilitators, staff, and partner organizations to develop engaging and accessible virtual learning experiences for participant audiences. The position requires strong project management skills, experience in curriculum or online learning development, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced international program environment. This role will report to the Program Manager. This is a Washington, D.C.-based position with a hybrid schedule of office and work-from home days (minimum two in-office days).

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists the Senior Program Manager in the development, coordination, and implementation of virtual exchange course content and learning materials;
• Coordinates with facilitators, subject matter experts, instructional designers, and partner organizations to ensure high-quality curriculum delivery;
• Oversees course timelines, deliverables, and production schedules to support successful implementation across multiple program activities;
• Supports participant application review, orientation, and on-program assistance;
• Supports the integration of leadership development, intercultural learning, digital communication, and workforce readiness content into program curricula;
• Reviews course materials and activities to ensure alignment with program objectives, accessibility standards, and donor requirements;
• Supports facilitator onboarding, training, and ongoing coordination related to curriculum implementation;
• Monitors participant feedback and evaluation data to identify opportunities for curriculum improvement and innovation;
• Tracks attendance, participant, and completion records;
• Collaborates with communications and alumni staff to support participant engagement and dissemination of program resources;
• Supports Canvas integration, participant and facilitator technology training, and participant request for technology access assistance;
• Drafts reports, briefing materials, work plans, and curriculum-related documentation;
• Provides updates to the Program Manager and Senior Program Manager on course development progress, challenges, and recommendations; and
• Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education, instructional design, international education, international relations, communications, or a related field;
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience in curriculum development, online learning, international education, youth programming, or virtual exchange initiatives;
• Experience developing or managing online, hybrid, or virtual learning programs;
• Professional experience with back-end management of learning management platforms, Zoom and Canvas strongly preferred;
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage complex workflows;
• Demonstrated success facilitating virtual meetings/activities;
• Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communication skills;
• Ability to effectively juggle multiple tasks and deadlines at the same time;
• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively with participants, partners, consultants, and staff across backgrounds;
• Experience coordinating with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders;
• Capacity to work both independently and as a member of a team; and
• Ability to take initiative, solve problems, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in education, instructional design, international education, or a related field;
• Experience supporting U.S. government-funded or donor-funded international programs;
• Experience with virtual exchange, intercultural dialogue, or global engagement programming;
• Professional experience with Microsoft Office Suite;
• Experience developing facilitation guides, training resources, or participant learning materials; and
• Ability and willingness to travel if needed.

BENEFITS

This position is eligible for healthcare benefits

WORK CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Essential functions are performed in a general office setting or remote work environment 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 and lifting up to 15 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to providing employment opportunities for all individuals, in accordance with current federal regulations. Our focus is on ensuring that all individuals have equal access to employment and advancement opportunities based on merit. American Councils’ commitment to employment opportunity is driven by federal requirements, including Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (supporting individuals with disabilities) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) (protecting covered veterans). We also ensure our employment practices comply with all applicable regulations, including E-Verify requirements for work eligibility. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed and grow, in full compliance with federal law.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.