Program Officer, LAC

POSITION SUMMARY:

HIAS seeks a Program Officer to support programs and operational needs in HIAS’ portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean, where HIAS currently has a presence in nine countries. Reporting to the Panama-based Deputy Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Program Officer will support HIAS’ programs in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Aruba, Guyana, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia, through program reporting, cross-divisional collaboration, proposal development, advocacy, and related administrative duties. Working closely with other International Programs (IP) staff, including the Deputy Regional Director, LAC, the Regional Director, LAC, and Technical Directors and Technical Advisors for LAC focused on Gender/GBV, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Economic Inclusion, and Legal Protection, s/he/they supports the implementation, monitoring and reporting on HIAS’ programs. The successful candidate has a demonstrated ability to coordinate between country programs and headquarters as well as a keen understanding of field-based challenges and opportunities in displacement settings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

PROGRAM REPORTING

• Monitors the progress of projects and activities towards the achievement of key objectives and deliverables in close coordination with the Deputy Regional Director, LAC and through regular communication with key country office staff, regional and HQ.

• Ensures compliance with agency and funder requirements.

• Reviews, coordinates and contributes to internal and external program reports and other documents in Spanish and English for funders, HIAS staff, and Board of Directors on HIAS’ regional operations.

• In coordination with the Deputy Regional Director, LAC and the Regional Director, LAC, conducts in-person monitoring visits and evaluate overall performance of country office operations and drafts monitoring reports for distribution to HQ staff, country staff and donors, and provides regular follow-up on recommendations, as needed.

• Edits reports and documents as needed, translates program reports and other documents in Spanish and English for funders, senior staff, and Board of Directors for HIAS’ operations in Latin America and the Caribbean, as needed.

• Ensures proper filing of LAC relevant documents into the HIAS SharePoint including grant agreements, progress/final reports submitted to donors, addendas/changes/no cost extensions, new proposals, etc., and ensures all relevant staff with HIAS have the appropriate access to the SharePoint folder.

CROSS-DIVISIONAL COLLABORATION

• Coordinates closely with field-based colleagues, including Country Directors, Program Directors and other field staff, among IP staff, and within other HQ divisions, including in Budget & Fiscal Compliance (BFC), Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), Human Resources (HR), Institutional Development (ID) and Information Technology (IT), among others.

• Schedules cross-divisional meetings, and meetings between field and HQ staff, setting agendas, preparing IT platform, taking meeting minutes, and ensuring follow-up on takeaways.

• Supports Deputy Regional Director, LAC to address gaps in program progress and operational challenges with country staff and HQ colleagues.

• Provides other support regarding cross-divisional collaboration, as required.

PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT & SUBMISSION

• With support from the Deputy Regional Director, LAC and the Regional Director, LAC, and in coordination with Institutional Development Colleagues, IP and field-based staff, support in the coordination, development, and submission of core funding proposals for the LAC Region.

ADVOCACY & ADMINISTRATION

• Represents HIAS at external partner and/or coordination meetings, as needed in coordination with the LAC Regional Team.

• Supports IP and the Advocacy department in preparation of talking points and one-pagers, as required.

• Responds to requests for information from international offices and HIAS HQ departments.

• Provides support for visits by international staff to HQ and regional meetings, as required.

• Performs other related duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:

• Graduate degree in relevant field.

• Oral and written fluency in English and Spanish required.

• A minimum of four (4) years in the NGO sector, preferably in refugee or humanitarian fields.

• Demonstrated experience at field level, with at least 3 years’ field experience, strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated project management experience, including fluency in work planning, roles and responsibilities definition, and project budgeting.

• Detail-oriented, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage time efficiently, meet deadlines, and work independently.

• Excellent written communication and research skills, and meticulous editing skills.

• Experience coordinating, reviewing and supporting funding proposals.

• Experience in community-based protection and human rights approaches preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Ability to meet deadlines and ensure deliverables from colleagues are produced on time.

• Excellent strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.

• A flexible, creative, and collaborative working style.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

• Ability to travel up 25% of the time.

• Commitment to HIAS’ mission and values, and refugee protection.

ABOUT US:

HIAS is a global Jewish nonprofit organization working across five continents to ensure that refugees and displaced persons are protected. Throughout the United States, we help refugees reunite with families, resettle and become self-sufficient. Guided by our values and history, we help refugees rebuild their lives in safety and security and advocate to ensure that all displaced people are treated with dignity.

HIAS is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnic background, citizenship status, religious creed, sex, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, familial status, pregnancy, childbirth, age, protected veteran status, political orientation or other legally protected status.