Program Assistant

Job Description

Program Assistant

Washington, D.C,

Full time

Informed by six decades of experience and deep local expertise, The Asia Foundation addresses critical issues affecting Asia in the 21st century: governance and law, economic development, women’s empowerment, environment, and regional cooperation. We work with innovative leaders and communities to build effective institutions and advance path-breaking reforms. Together with our partners, we are committed to Asia’s continued development as a peaceful, just, and thriving region of the world.

The Asia Foundation’s Washington, DC Office is seeking a Program Assistant. The Program Assistant will provide crucial administrative, programmatic, and logistical support. Reporting to the Assistant Director, you’ll facilitate seamless operations within the office and contribute to impactful initiatives across Asia.

Position Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Support:

• Event Coordination: Coordinate with global stakeholders for both virtual and in-person events, including meetings and seminars. Assist in orchestrating logistical aspects of high-profile gatherings involving senior U.S. and international participants, from exchange programs to panel discussions.
• Documentation and Communication: Draft, edit, and research various documents such as program descriptions and background papers. Manage content creation and distribution for regular e-newsletters, ensuring impactful communication strategies.
• Outreach and Reporting: Contribute to public outreach initiatives, monitoring social media, local event listings, and peer organizations’ websites. Attend and provide comprehensive reports on Asia-related events and meetings in Washington, offering valuable insights and summaries.

Administrative Support:

• Office Operations: Ensure seamless office operations by assisting in meeting preparations, correspondence, and general administrative tasks. Maintain both paper and electronic files, ensuring efficient document management and storage.
• Digital Management: Manage the office’s digital presence, overseeing the contact database and collaborating with IT to resolve issues and assist colleagues.
• Financial Liaison: Collaborate with senior management and local vendors to handle financial documentation and agreements related to program activities.
• Assist in preparing payment requests and managing program-related financial documents.
• Team Collaboration: Liaise with colleagues across San Francisco and Asian country offices, offering support and coordination as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

· Bachelor’s Degree required, preferably in the social sciences, international relations, Asian studies, or other similar concentration.

· 2+ years of administrative experience supporting program and policy-related activities and event-planning functions.

· Knowledge of office procedures and equipment; familiarity with a variety of word-processing, database, presentation, and spreadsheet programs.

· Experience with managing social media, operating virtual meeting platforms, and maintaining customer relationship management (CRM) systems or databases preferred.

· Exceptional organizational skills.

· Outstanding interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

· Ability to gracefully handle multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize, and meet all deadlines.

· Ability to work independently and under pressure, as well as part of a team and with diverse staff and visitors.

· Demonstrated initiative and creative problem-solving skills.

· Work experience in an international development organization, non-profit, or government office, particularly those focused on Asia, preferred.

· Knowledge of and interest in Asia and related policy issues preferred.

How to Apply:

Applications should be submitted by visiting our website. To be considered, please upload your cover letter and resume/CV in one document. You can also upload both in separate documents but please note to do so, you will have to sign out of the system and go back into your record for additional documents.

The Asia Foundation offers excellent salaries and benefits commensurate with experience. We are an equal-opportunity employer. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply.

**Must be legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship

**No relocation assistance will be provided for this position

No phone calls, please.

About the Organization

The Asia Foundation is a non-profit, non-governmental organization committed to the development of a peaceful, prosperous, just, and open Asia-Pacific region. The Foundation supports programs in Asia that help improve governance, law, and civil society; women's empowerment; economic reform and development; and international relations. Drawing on more than 50 years of experience in Asia, the Foundation collaborates with private and public partners to support leadership and institutional development, exchanges, and policy research. With a network of 18 offices throughout Asia, an office in Washington, D.C., and its headquarters in San Francisco, the Foundation addresses these issues on both a country and regional level. In 2007, the Foundation provided more than $68 million in program support and distributed 974,000 books and educational materials valued at $33 million throughout Asia. The Asia Foundation is not an endowed organization, and depends solely on monetary contributions from donors to accomplish its work. For more information, visit www.asiafoundation.org.