The Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Since its founding in 1949, the Institute has been driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most critical challenges facing communities in the United States and around the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

To achieve our mission of a more free, just, and equitable society, we commit to working proactively to advance the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across our myriad endeavors such as the recruitment, compensation, training, and advancement of staff. The best people-serving institutions make this commitment, and we seek to be a leader in the ways that we do so and learn from others. Visit our to learn more about our commitment and recent actions taken toward building and nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment.

Program Description:

The Stevens Initiative is an international leader in virtual exchange, which brings young people from diverse places together to collaborate and connect through everyday technology. Created in 2015 as a lasting tribute to Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, the Initiative invests in virtual exchange programs; shares research, resources, and promising practices to improve impact; and advocates for broader adoption. Learn more: visit .

Basic Function:

The Program Associate conducts grants management, oversight and capacity-building for a portfolio of Stevens Initiative grants that are funded by a philanthropic foundation and that support virtual exchange programs and building the virtual exchange field.

This position reports directly to the Senior Program Manager. The salary for this position is $58,000 - $64,000. In accordance with our Reimagining Work policy, the Program Associate should be willing to be in-person with colleagues a minimum of 40% of the time while having the flexibility to work remotely for the balance. In-person consists of meaningful connections with colleagues in an office, traveling to a different office or location to meet fellow staff members, at an Aspen event, at a meeting outside the office or other opportunities to meet in person with teammates and colleagues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee a portfolio of approximately 10 to 12 grants, maintaining detailed records of grantees' programming periods, events, travel, timelines, reports, and partnerships.
• Implement and find areas of improvement for grants management systems for the assigned portfolio of Stevens Initiative grants.
• Serve as primary point of contact for grantees, helping to internally coordinate responses, schedule meetings, track issues and deliverables, and follow up on grantees' reports in a timely fashion.
• Support the evaluation of grantee programs, including information and process management as well as communication with grantees and external evaluators.
• Track and maintain grantee participants and partners using a database; use database to assemble briefing materials and reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Review grantee progress reports; compile program information and draft summaries for use in reporting, public documents, and briefing materials.
• Schedule and participate in site visits of select grantee programs.
• Support the review and negotiation process for new grant proposals, helping to organize and review materials and internal communication.
• In collaboration with the Operations team, process grantee financial payments as needed.

Knowledge, Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of experience, with demonstrated experience managing projects.
• Self-starter who can independently manage task list and responsibilities.
• Exceptional attention to detail, as well as the ability to handle multiple tasks and shift priorities quickly.
• Ability to organize and structure systems and policies to ensure smooth daily program operations.
• Experience with a variety of software programs, including Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Suite products.
• Ability to work well with staff and a variety of stakeholders, with a willingness to contribute to the team as needed to support the achievement of program goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, as well as sound judgment, maturity, and a sense of humor.
• Ability to be flexible, proactive and navigate different groups and settings with nuance and sensitivity.
• Ability to handle information with the utmost discretion.
• Strong interest in and support for the mission of the Stevens Initiative.
• Knowledge of or experience in international relations or in the education and exchange fields.

The Aspen Institute offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, vision, and prescription benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.

The Aspen Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all District and federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against.

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