Posted on December 28, 2012

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International Visitors Program Officer

Reports to: Executive Director

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages all aspects of the U.S. Department of State International Visitors Leadership Program and other fee-for-service exchanges such as Community Connections
• Responsible for the strategic objectives of IVP and day to day planning and logistical details
• Actively writes and submits proposals for proposals and grants to receive IVLP and fee-for-service programs in Cleveland
• Generates increased revenue through IVLP and fee- for -service activities
• Builds and maintains good relations with national partners including Washington DC based national programming agencies, the State Department and other exchange organizations
• Remains informed about upcoming regional and program topic trends, understands new policies and procedures for exchanges, and participates in national networking opportunities.
• Remains current in researching community resources to support IVP
• Cultivates new and existing community resource contacts and strengthens the relationship with existing business, NGO, nonprofit and cultural organization contacts
• Develops professional programs and cultural activities to meet specific IV Program goals and objectives
• Coordinates receptions and functions connected with international visitor projects
• Recruits and coordinates volunteers to serve as home stay hosts, home hospitality and transportation
• Attends meetings with international visitors and local professional resources throughout the programs to ensure quality of meetings, to engage with local professional resources, and to fully support the international guests throughout their visit
• Coordinates interns in the International Visitors Program Department
• Works with all CCWA staff to maximize all projects and to utilize international guests in other departments of the CCWA whenever possible
• Prepares budgets and reports for all International Visitors Programs and all financial aspects of contract negotiation
• Completes and submits required periodic and annual reports including the Community Partnership Grant Program
• Develops marketing efforts to promote volunteer involvement to support programming
• Develops marketing strategies to inform government and other private exchange organizations of Cleveland as a destination for a variety of international visitor topics
• Remains informed about upcoming regional and program topic trends, understand new policies and procedures for exchanges, and participate in national networking opportunities
• Coordinates the CCWA's advocacy efforts for government exchange activities
• Represents the CCWA professionally throughout all communities

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must demonstrate project management skills, including strong organizational and attention-to-detail skills and the ability to manage multiple projects; able to plan, prioritize, coordinate and manage own work
• Should have had 3 to 5 years in developing programming, event management, teaching and/or community organizing
• Must possess highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, including excellent written, verbal and analytical skills
• Must be able to recruit prospective home stay hosts
• Must be able to cultivate and maintain community organizations and resources to support programming
• Must have strong competency with electronic and digital communication, e.g. Website, blogs, and other social media
• Should be proficient with Microsoft Office, Excel and other programs
• Must be able to interface with wide range of constituents and individuals with professionalism
• Must have a strong interest and awareness of global issues. Experience with international travel and fluency in a world language is a plus
• Must have daily access to an automobile to visit sites and resources
• Bachelor's Degree required

BACKGROUND: TheInternational Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program. Launched in 1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. These visits reflect the International Visitors’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States. There is no application for this program. International Visitors are selected and nominated annually by American Foreign Service Officers at U.S. Embassies around the world. International Visitors are current or emerging leaders in government, politics, the media, education, the arts, business and other key fields. Over 4,000 International Visitors come to the United States from all over the world each year. Since its inception in 1940, thousands of distinguished ind ividuals have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program, including more than 290 current and former Chiefs of State and Heads of Government, thousands of cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished leaders from the public and private sectors.

The Community Connections program, funded by the United Stated Agency for International Development, Bureau of Education Growth and Trade (EGAT)/Office of Education, brings international visitors from countries of the former Soviet Union. The broad public diplomacy goal of the Community Connections Program is to contribute to economic and democratic reform and to promote mutual understanding through exposure to U.S. society and personal connections with Americans and participant countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova, Russia, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Through local community host organizations in the United States, like the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, men and women entrepreneurs, local government officials, legal professionals, and civil society organization leaders are provided a three-week home-stay based practical training program in the United States, tailored to their professional interests. The World Affairs Council is responsible for programming site-visits, meetings, host-family placements, local transportation, interpretation, and Experience America activities.

To Apply: Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and list of references to CCWA Executive Director Maura O'Donnell-McCarthy at modonnellmccarthy@ccwa.org. No phone calls please.