Program Assistant

Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs (IP), is recruiting a Program Assistant to provide administrative support to international natural resource and disaster management projects as well as supporting coordination of activities at METI's Washington DC office. This position will be located in Washington D.C.

Overview:

Through a contract with the USFS IP, METI Inc. provides professional services for hundreds of technical and subject matter experts engaged in natural resource and disaster management projects in approximately 90 countries around the world. The Program Assistant will support contract administration to further these efforts by coordinating with domestic and international partners to negotiate and administer contracting of subject matter experts, establishment and maintenance of partnerships, provision of logistical and human resources support, and timely provision of deliverables and financial payments. The Program Assistant will also support general coordination of activities in the Washington DC office, including logistical support, office administration, and event/meeting planning.

Duties:

• In coordination with other METI colleagues, support the identification, recruitment, negotiation, contracting, and mobilization of technical experts to interface with international partner organizations and individuals through international technical exchanges and remote technical assignments.
• Coordinate with a range of stakeholders to ensure timeliness of responses to requests, communications, funding approvals, and routine administrative processes.
• Carefully review and conduct quality control of invoices, service contracts, and reports to ensure accuracy and completeness with supporting documentation.
• Review, monitor, and reconcile program and activity budgets.
• Support program monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and learning activities.
• Support organization of travel, logistics, and other administrative tasks for technical assignments.
• Serve as administrative support for METI's DC office, provide excellent customer service, and professional courtesies to all customers and stakeholders.
• Coordinate with fellow team members to arrange conference room reservations, logistics, and materials/equipment for meetings, training, conferences, and routine office needs.
• Other support as client needs evolve.

Qualifications:

• Minimum 4 years of related work experience with an emphasis on administrative and/or project management skills.
• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and work experience in a relevant field.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a variety of partners (government, NGO, private sector, academia) in a diverse team environment.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational, time management 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.
• Intermediate proficiency in relevant computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite and virtual communication tools.
• Basic office related IT technical support experience/competency preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with preference for multiple languages.