Senior Regional Program Manager - Middle East & Central Asia

Job Description

Job Description

Reports to: Regional Director, MECA.

Supervisees: None

Location: This position will be based in Amman, Jordan, or another regional capital to be determined collaboratively by the selected candidate, the Regional Director, and Spirit of America

Travel: It will involve frequent regional travel, including to conflict zones.

Position Summary:

Are you looking to make a difference in the world by helping to save and improve lives? Are you energized by working at the intersection of US national security, private philanthropy, and global impact?

Spirit of America (SOA) seeks an experienced manager to serve as a Senior Regional Program Manager (SRPM) to work in close cooperation and coordination with US military and diplomatic personnel in the Middle East and Central Asia. The SRPM's mission is to direct Spirit of America's international operations in the region, utilizing private philanthropic funds to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. The SRPM will play a major role in the strategy to support US national security interests in the Middle East and Central Asia.

A Spirit of America SRPM must have boots-on-the-ground experience in conflict-affected environments as well as recent experience working on US stability and security operations. Prior US Department of State, USAID, and other US government civilian agencies as well as returned Peace Corps volunteers are also encouraged to apply. Optimism, patience, entrepreneurial mindset, and great sense of humor in the face of adversity are also essential. Regional language proficiency would be especially valued.

Responsibilities:

The SRPM will:

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a regional strategy to support US national security interests in the Middle East and Central Asia
• Develop projects and initiatives where Spirit of America's assistance can make a rapid and important impact on mission success, as well as complement, or fill gaps in US government and military programs
• Identify, develop, and manage regional stakeholder relationships with US military command elements, US embassies, other USG partners, and other key interlocutors
• Manage the development, execution, and closeout of projects supported with Spirit of America fund to a high standard of accountability and performance, including HR, finance, and compliance
• Monitor, evaluate, and document the results of and lessons learned from projects supported by Spirit of America in the assigned region and across the regional team
• Maintain and delivery timely financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting
• Collaborate with the Strategic Initiatives team related to larger initiatives which touch the region
• Partner with SOA's Development and Marketing teams, creating appropriate content to engage donors and partners through media while reviewing and proving input into the content developed by the broader regional team
• Communicate and closely coordinate activities and projects with US military and civilian personnel and donors

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree
• At least ten years of professional experience in international development, diplomacy, or defense contexts, of which at least three years should be on the ground in fragile or conflict0affected states leadership role
• Proven ability to engage directly with local populations and partner with host nation militaries, governments, and NGOs to solve problems
• Experience in direct counterinsurgency, stability operations, humanitarian/disaster relief, and/or non-lethal-effects experience at the field level in current US stability and security operations
• A solid understanding of America's 3Ds of foreign affairs, defense, diplomacy, and development, and of USG interagency entities, roles, and processes is essential
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, a strong attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills are required

Preferred:

• Master's degree
• Substantive experience working in a US embassy, in close collaboration with a US country team, or in a Department of State/USAID regional bureau is a plus
• Previous travel outside of military service (study abroad, NGO work, USG experience)
• Program/project management experience is very relevant
• Program/project management experience for small- to medium0scale projects ($25,000 to $500,000)
• Proficiency in a regional language such as Arabic, Russian, or Kurdish

Compensation:
Salary ranges from $124,000 to $159,000 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and 403(b) contribution match to 4%.

Spirit of America:

Spirit of America is a nonprofit founded in 2003 to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. For over two decades, Spirit of America has united the American people with our troops and diplomats in common cause: to defend freedom, strengthen the frontlines of democracy, and secure a free and better life for those who seek it. We work with US troops and diplomats to identify places where America’s help is needed most. Then we deliver assistance with flexibility and speed through our troops and a network of local partners around the world.

We are recognized by Congress and have an agreement with the Department of Defense that allows US troops to collaborate with us to build goodwill and deliver assistance at scale. We fill the gaps between what government can do and what is needed.

Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.

Spirit of America is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics) or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all people involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.