Regional Program Manager – Asia-Pacific

Job Type: Location Type: Remote: open to residents of any country

 

Do you want to work at the intersection of US national security, private philanthropy, and global impact? Do you want to be part of a high-performing entrepreneurial team that is making groundbreaking contributions to stability, peace, and freedom?

Spirit of America is the only organization that unites the American people with US troops and diplomats to help them succeed in their missions, strengthen security, and save and improve lives.

We seek an entrepreneurial Regional Program Manager to design, support, and implement initiatives that support our work in the Asia-Pacific Region. We are looking for a strategic thinker and hands-on doer with a track record of success operating in dynamic, complex environments.

The Regional Program Manager will work in close cooperation and coordination with U.S. and diplomatic, military, and civil society officials in the region to support shared objectives. They will provide targeted private assistance and solutions to complex problems.

The Regional Program Manager will report to the Regional Director. This is a full-time position with a strong preference for it to be based in the region, or Hawaii. Candidates who can travel to the region extensively and are able to support Spirit of America operations worldwide, may be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaboratively develop projects and initiatives in response to local needs identified by all levels of USG partners (from Team to Headquarters and Country Team level) in support of US mission effects and objectives.
• Manage projects end to end, including logistics, record keeping, payments, negotiating, and budgeting in accordance with industry best practices and Spirit of America standards.
• Serve as a conduit for American private-sector expertise to provide input to, and to help develop solutions for local projects (agriculture, education, health, economic development, security, information, etc.) when needed.
• Continuously seek the input and advice of US military and civilian personnel and coordinate and de-conflict potential redundant efforts.
• Work directly with senior government and civil society host-nation partners and their working-level staff to implement country strategy/programs in support of critical key objectives.
• Keep senior officials at the Department of State, Regional Bureau, Country Team, Global Combatant Command, Theater Special Operations Command, Service Component Command, and/or Task Force informed of Spirit of America projects, activities, and capabilities.
• Document the results of Spirit of America supported projects with photos, video, blog posts and stories; public facing materials to be coordinated with Spirit of America’s marketing and communications teams.
• Work closely with US based Spirit of America staff to develop creative ways to incorporate the support of the American people to make a rapid, tangible difference on the ground.
• Engage (in coordination with the marketing and communications teams) journalists in covering Spirit of America’s work, as appropriate.
• Serve as Spirit of America’s regional and sub-regional expert for culture, politics, security, and US policy and advise field team and organizational leadership on issues relating to the Regional Program Manager’s assigned region for the purposes of mission impact, development, and institutionalization.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, and 5 or more years’ experience managing international projects. Master’s degree preferred. Relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the degree requirements.
• Significant, direct US foreign policy and/or national security-related experience at the field level in the Asia Pacific region.
• Experience 1) working on the ground in US security, stability, and/or partner capacity building missions; 2) engaging directly with local populations and issues; and 3) partnering with host nation militaries and/or governments.
• Substantive experience working in/with a US Embassy, in close collaboration with a US Country Team, or in a Department of State regional bureau.
• Military service or experience working with special operations forces, is strongly preferred.
• A solid understanding of America’s 3Ds of foreign affairs – defense, diplomacy, and development – and of USG interagency entities, roles, and processes is essential.
• Experience leading and managing entry level professionals is highly desired.
• Program/project management experience is very relevant.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills in English are essential. Proficiency in languages commonly spoken in the region-such as Mandarin, Tagalog, Japanese, or Korean-is highly preferred. The role also requires meticulous attention to detail and excellent organizational skills.
• Experience working in Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan, or supporting issues related to this part of the Asia-Pacific Region.

Qualities and Qualifications:
The Regional Program Manager’s personal qualities are as important as their prior experience. They must be friendly, outgoing, natural relationship builders. The Regional Program Manager needs to have exemplary patience and outstanding listening skills. They must understand that personal initiative, optimism, and a good sense of humor are “secret weapons” that they must employ in abundance.

They must combine a keen intellect with genuine humility and understand that “we” is smarter than “me.” The Regional Program Manager will have very high personal initiative.

The Regional Program Manager will not only be a representative of Spirit of America but an ambassador of the goodwill of the American people. They must operate with the highest levels of integrity and cultural sensitivity. The Regional Program Manager must also have a deep understanding and appreciation of Spirit of America’s decentralized, non-bureaucratic approach for rapid local progress worldwide.

Compensation:

Salary ranges from $95,000 to $130,000 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 citizen service organization founded in response to the attacks of 9/11. Our mission is to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. We do this by working alongside troops and diplomats to support their safety and success, promoting values shared by Americans and our allies, strengthening relationships with allies, friends, and partners, and demonstrating that the United States is a friend to all who seek a better life.

Spirit of America helps our troops and diplomats build trust and goodwill, prevent conflict, and strengthen America’s security. Our work saves and improves lives. 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 persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.