Program Specialist, Russia, Europe and Eurasia Region
Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the
U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs, is recruiting a Program Specialist to lead and manage international natural resource and disaster management projects in Ukraine and nearby countries in the Russia, Europe and Eurasia Region.
The U.S. Forest Service works domestically and internationally to improve people’s lives. The Agency enhances economic opportunities and strengthens civil society, with a focus on local and community-level organizations, by promoting sustainable natural resource management, disaster management, and biodiversity conservation globally. By linking the skills of U.S. Forest Service field-based staff with partners overseas, the agency can address the world’s most critical forestry issues and concerns and improve capacities to respond to major disasters. The U.S. Forest Service regularly engages the agency's wide range of expertise in over 90 countries for programs on sustainable forest management, climate change, combating illegal logging, fire management, improved systems for responding to disasters, watersheds and protected areas, and other topics. For more information on the U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/international-programs.
International Programs is committed to the Forest Service’s core values and reaffirms its anti-harassment policy to ensure a work environment in which all people are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect; and prohibits behavior which discriminates on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. International Programs will hold any employee, contractor, partner, business associate, or program participant who engages in discriminatory behavior accountable. Furthermore, International Programs is dedicated to acknowledging, addressing and eradicating systemic racism and implicit bias at all levels of our internal and external decision-making and will pursue anti-racist, anti-discriminatory, and inclusive practices in all facets and representation of our work in the United States and globally.
We value diversity and recognize its role in enriching our work and fostering innovation. The U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs aims to create and promote a welcoming, inclusive, anti-racist and anti-discriminatory community created by the contributions of all employees. The office continues to review and reflect on progress towards becoming a more equitable organization by conducting formal and informal organizational assessments with the purpose of maintaining a fair and equitable workplace for staff, visitors, partners, and stakeholders.
METI and the U.S. Forest Service International Programs Office value open communication, collaboration, and staff participation. Both organizations are also committed to professional development of staff and encourage on the job training and professional development opportunities for employees that want to build their proficiencies in work related skills.
Position Overview: The Program Specialist will manage U.S. Forest Service programs in Ukraine and neighboring countries in the Russia, Europe, and Eurasia Region, including natural resource and disaster management projects, working with host country partners and other U.S. Government agencies to develop programs, establish and maintain partnerships, and oversee activity implementation. The Program Specialist will recruit U.S. Forest Service subject matter experts to facilitate technical exchange and will oversee logistical, financial, human resources, programmatic, partnership dynamic, and other relevant aspects of all programs in the Ukraine portfolio and other relevant programs. The position may involve up to 30% domestic and international travel.
Qualifications:
Related work experience with an emphasis on administrative and/or project management skills;
Bachelor’s degree plus three to five years of work experience in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience;
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a variety of partners (government, NGO, private sector, academia) and in a diverse team environment;
Exceptional attention to detail, organizational and prioritization skills;
Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities;
Proven ability to take initiative, learn quickly, anticipate needs and challenges, and make evidence-based operational decisions;
Cross cultural communication and ability to adapt to changing circumstances is important. Prior experience living and/or working overseas in a developing country, or other demonstrable capacity in the above traits, strongly preferred;
Intermediate proficiency in relevant computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with virtual communication tools;
Experience working in Ukraine and/or Eastern Europe preferred;
Fluency in Ukrainian and/or Russian language strongly preferred.
Duties may include the following:
Building and maintaining relationships with other US Government agencies, including representatives from the Department of State and USAID;
Staying invested and informed of current social, political, economic and natural resource issues and concerns within the assigned geographic area;
Collaborating with domestic and international partners, stakeholders and team members to develop scopes of work, work plans, strategy documents, and reports for all programs in their portfolio in a way that builds community and welcomes diverse and new perspectives;
Identifying, recruiting, and preparing technical experts to interface with international partner organizations and individuals through international technical exchanges and remote technical assignments;
Coordinating and participating in technical assignments domestically and internationally to help facilitate knowledge sharing between the U.S. Forest Service and partners;
Coordinating between technical experts, program partners, and other resource groups to design and implement activities including collaboration with internal teams and colleagues;
Organizing travel, logistics, and other administrative tasks for technical assignments and exchanges;
Managing, monitoring, and reconciling program and activity budgets;
Developing communication materials for a variety of uses i.e. print, social media, outreach, etc.;
Supporting program Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning activities.
Level of Effort: Full-time Location: Office is located in Washington, DC. Position can also be fully remote.
If you would like to share in METI’s success, please apply to the posting by clicking on this link: https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/60063259. METI offers an employee benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid leave; 401K Plan; and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). METI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Visit us at: www.meticorp.com
METI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse communities we serve. 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, age or any other federally protected class.