WISHH’s objective is to increase the international consumption of soy
protein in the human, livestock, and aquaculture sectors in new markets and
thereby create new opportunities for soybeans and providing higher economic
returns to U.S. soybean producers.
Under
the Director of Operations, the Program Assistant provides vital support to the
WISHH team by ensuring the smooth execution of administrative, logistical, and
program-related tasks. This role works closely with the Executive Director,
Chief Operating Officer, and Director of Operations, supporting domestic and
international activities. Key responsibilities include handling processing
invoices, tracking expenses, and ensuring compliance with donor and USDA
requirements.
The
ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing
multiple priorities while maintaining a collaborative and professional
demeanor.
Program
Assistant Job Responsibilities:
Administrative Support
· Provide
administrative assistance to WISHH leadership, including handling ad hoc
assignments, travel arrangements, correspondence, and calendar management.
· Maintain
and update shared templates and filing systems (including electronic files via
the Shared Drive and Xledger accounting system).
· Prepare
printed materials, mail packages, and manage office supply inventories and
promotional item orders.
· Support
general office organization and upkeep.
Travel and Meeting
Coordination
· Arrange
travel and meeting logistics for staff and partners, including preparing travel
folders, obtaining travel authorizations, compiling per diem sheets, and
post-travel expense documentation.
· Develop
and maintain tracking tools for travel-related expenses partners, program
events, and travel missions.
· Coordinate
logistics and materials preparation for Board meetings and other key events.
· Ensure
timely submission of compliant reports to funding entities and monitor
deadlines accordingly.
Compliance and
Financial Support
· Submit
invoices, travel reimbursements, and vendor payments with accurate coding and
initial compliance review.
· Track
service and end-result contracts to ensure deliverables and payments align with
donor and internal requirements.
· Assist
with request for proposals/quotes processes including formatting, posting, and
tracking documentation for compliance.
· Monitor
office inventory and ensure regular updates to tracking sheets.
· Gather
data for reclassifications, track accruals, and assist with industry
contributions processing.
Collaboration and
Cross-functional Support
· Work
closely with the Director of Operations and Accounting team to ensure contract
and payment compliance.
· Coordinate
with other Program Administrator, Special Projects for Board preparation tasks.
· Maintain
up-to-date project checklists and compliance files.
· Support
regional directors and program staff with data collection, document
preparation, and meeting logistics as needed.
· Prep
and attend meetings and take notes and oversee follow-up tasks as requested.
Qualifications:
Technical
Skills:
· Proficiency
in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
· Ability
to learn and work with additional systems such as Xledger accounting system, MS
Project, and internet-based platforms.
· Strong
typing accuracy and document formatting skills.
Communication
Skills:
· Excellent
written and verbal communication skills.
· Strong
interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally across cultures.
· Ability
to maintain confidentiality and represent the organization with tact and
professionalism.
Organizational
& Problem-Solving Skills:
· Exceptional
attention to detail and organizational abilities.
· Ability
to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and work independently.
· Initiative
and flexibility to adapt to changing needs and projects.
Mathematical
Skills:
Strong ability to process numerical data,
including expense reconciliation, voucher preparation, and budget tracking.
Education
and Experience Requirements:
· Bachelor’s
degree in management, marketing, international relations or related discipline.
Three to five years’ work experience in international business or development
proposal development or a combination of education and experience desired.
· Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with
internal and external staff and stakeholders.
· Strong knowledge of proposal writing.
· Experience with budget development a plus.
TO
APPLY: Send electronic submission
of cover letter and resume including salary requirements to edemerit@soy.org on or before September 5, 2025. Interested individuals are
encouraged to apply quickly as the applicant review and interview process will
begin immediately and will continue on a rolling basis. Please include “Program Assistant” in
the subject line. No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be
contacted. ASA is an Equal Opportunity
Employer and Provider.
Non-Discrimination
Statement: In accordance with Federal
civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights
regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and
institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from
discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender
identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age,
marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights
activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program
or incident. ASA/WISHH is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The American Soybean
Association (ASA) was founded in 1920
by soybean farmers
and extension workers to promote soy for high protein applications in developmental settings.
Overseas activities
initiated
inthe mid-1950s, and to
date ASA has worked in
over80 countries. The World Initiative
for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) was
founded in 2000 to
expand the work of the American Soybean
Association
(ASA)
indeveloping
and emerging markets to
improve
health,
nutrition and food
security, building the
groundwork for future
markets of soy.
WISHH provides
services in
food technology,
business development, nutrition
services, and program
and proposal development. WISHH expertise
extends its network
into
additional areas, such
as aquaculture
and animal feed.
ASA/WISHH connects trade
and development to strengthen agricultural value chains in
emerging
markets,
creating trade and long-term demand for U.S. soy. Trade can improve
lives worldwide for both farmers and
consumers. U.S. soy trade
inemerging markets is
pivotal to improve accessibility,
affordability, and acceptability of high-quality plant and animal-sourced
proteins in developing
economies. Rising incomes in emerging economies generate further opportunity for trade. ASA/WISHH builds opportunity for long-term trade by improving agricultural value
chains, human and animal
nutrition, and farmer net incomes. ASA/WISHH initiatives broadly fit in
two arenas: (1) trade-building long-term,
early-stage market development, and (2) trade-building international
agriculture and economic
development. The St. Louis-based Program operates in sub-Saharan Africa,
Asia and
Central America.
ASA/WISHH achieves its mission by working in
close
partnership
with: (1) the public
sector (e.g., USDA, U.S. land grant universities,
and host country governments), (2) the private
sector (e.g., trade associations: Qualified
State
Soybean Boards,
United Soybean Board and U.S.
Soybean
Export Council),
and (3) private voluntary organizations (PVOs). The Program draws upon
the
resources and
experience of these partners and the services of a
cadre
of ASA/WISHH consultants with technical expertise in agricultural,
international and commercial development spheres. ASA/WISHH
relies on decades of experience in food commercial development and agricultural development programming.
The Program takes pride in its growing
portfolio of success with U.S. government-funded projects,
including USDA
Food for Progress (FFPr),
McGovern-Dole, Foreign
Market Development, Market Access Program,
Agricultural Trade Promotion, Emerging Markets
Program, and Quality Samples Program) and funding in both prime
and sub-recipient capacities. ASA/WISHH has also attracted both
private
sector and other complementary funding sources from various
donors to
build on and
leverage core funding from Qualified State Soybean Boards.
WISHH’s objective is to increase the international consumption of soy
protein in the human, livestock, and aquaculture sectors in new markets and
thereby create new opportunities for soybeans and providing higher economic
returns to U.S. soybean producers.