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Careers
Programs Coordinator (Professional Exchanges)
Title: Programs Coordinator (Professional Exchanges)
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Full-Time Employee | Hybrid work environment | Grant-Funded
Salary Range: $42,000-$45,000
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Programs Coordinator (Exchanges) maintains a portfolio of international visitors, primarily including projects for the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and other government-funded short-term professional exchanges for adults with or without a homestay component. This includes proposal writing for projects, itinerary planning, and arranging logistics for inbound exchange visitor groups, in-city support for projects upon their arrival in Philadelphia, and project close out and data entry. This position will support organizational relationships with professional resources and partners, National Program Associates, Global Ties US, and the Department of State staff. This role works closely with the Exchanges Team to ensure collaboration with other programs and departments at World Affairs so that professional exchange visitors connect to our members, students, teachers, and other constituents. This role is a grant-funded position, contingent upon continued funding from the US Department of State, awarded by Global Ties US and other National Program Agencies on an annual basis.
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Main Duties
- Support the coordination of the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) projects and a variety of other professional exchange projects annually
- Prepare and implement creative and professional itineraries for international visitors in a variety of sectors, industries, and fields of expertise
- Manage project logistics, including but not limited to hotels, meals, per diems, transport, receptions, and cultural activities
- Solicit projects by drafting and submitting high-quality proposals to National Program Agencies (NPAs)
- Support the Senior Manager of Programs in maintaining and strengthening organizational relationships with NPA, GTUS, and DoS staff
- Develop and maintain organizational relationships with professional resources, home and dinner hosts, and World Affairs’ members
- Continually research and develop new program themes and professional resources for projects
- Organize homestays and dinner hosting for visitors in partnership with the Membership team
- Accompany visitors on professional appointments in the Philadelphia region
- Participate in regular meetings with the Professional Exchanges team to review upcoming programs, share information, and ensure departmental metrics and program closeout are on track
- Oversee volunteers and interns working on projects
- Maintain baseline knowledge of hotel, transport, and vendor contracts and relationships
- Complete program close-out and reporting in a timely manner
- Ensure departmental data entry management in the Salesforce database
Secondary Duties
- Maintain awareness of political and social issues, as well as the business climate of the Philadelphia region
- Maintain awareness of and relationships with community cultural organizations, volunteers, and partners to enhance the International Visitor experience
- Provide support for PTO for other Professional Exchange team members
- Participate in efforts to develop and achieve the Professional Exchange team goals
- Contribute to the Professional Exchange team’s efforts to develop home and dinner hospitality, as needed
- Be an advocate for how Professional Exchanges fit into other World Affairs’ programs and goals
- Participate in other World Affairs programs, activities, and efforts to solidify World Affairs as the leading International Affairs Organization in the Philadelphia region
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- 1-3 years of experience in program implementation, project management, and hospitality
- Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience in a related field strongly preferred
- Experience with Customer Relationship Management software (Salesforce strongly preferred)
- Experience in program evaluation and monitoring
- Proficient with Microsoft Office 365
- Proficient with key technologies, including Canva, Zoom, Google Meet, Adobe Acrobat, and social media
Required Skills & Competencies
- Enthusiasm for the mission of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia
- Excellent oral communication, professional writing, and proofreading skills
- Passion for world affairs, cultural diplomacy, and hospitality
- Prior experience that demonstrates intercultural competence
- Capable of working independently, being proactive and self-directed, as well as a part of a small and highly collaborative team
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent time management skills
- Diligent attention to detail and strong organizational habits
- Innovative problem-solving skills and superior dedication to quality control
- Openness to civil discourse on international issues from multiple perspectives
- Availability for weekend and/or evening work, as well as the ability to travel as required
- Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- The salary range for this position is $42,000-$45,000, commensurate with experience.
- The World Affairs Council offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- Health Insurance
- 403b Retirement Plan
- Generous paid time off
- High-flex hybrid work environment, including a Center City office and remote work capabilities
- Supportive work and family benefits
- Professional development opportunities
- Occasional fully paid domestic and international travel
- Participation in and access to world-class speakers, including authors, heads of state, elected officials, activists, and leaders, is a key opportunity for all staff.
- Engagement with international professional visitors.
- This position is classified as non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This role is a grant-funded position, contingent upon continued funding from the US Department of State (DoS), applied for and awarded by Global Ties US (GTUS) and other National Program Agencies (NPAs) on an annual basis.
- Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination required by date of hire. Individuals may apply to be considered for an exemption.
- The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity. Accordingly, World Affairs will provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic / sexual violence victim status, pregnancy, veteran status, use of guide or support animal because of blindness, deafness, or physical handicap, and/or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all areas of employment, layoff, compensation, benefits, and all other conditions, terms, and privileges of employment in accordance with federal, state, and local laws. World Affairs strives to employ and promote the best-qualified person for each job and, in doing so, will comply with all legal requirements.
ABOUT THE WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia (World Affairs) is where continents, cultures, and ideas connect. World Affairs is the Philadelphia region’s largest and oldest international affairs nonprofit with 75 years of expertise in connecting Philadelphia to the world. World Affairs is a nonpartisan, nonprofit that curates speaker programs, professional development, youth education, and public diplomacy. World Affairs hosts global delegations and travels the world reaching more than 125 countries annually. Through authentic people-to-people diplomacy and exchange of ideas, World Affairs advances Philadelphia’s understanding of the world by creating the next generation of global citizens and furthering Philadelphia’s position as an international hub for business, education, culture, and sub-national diplomacy.
TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter to careers@wacphila.org. Please include the name of the position in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be considered. We are unable to accept phone inquiries related to employment opportunities.
iNTERNSHIPS
GRAPHIC DESIGN & SOCIAL MEDIA INTERN
Timeframe: Summer, early to mid-June to mid-August.
Hours: Part-time. Recommended 10-20 hours per week. Minimum of 8-12 weeks. Hours are negotiable depending on individual circumstances.
Travel Stipend/Class Credit: This is an unpaid internship. As a small nonprofit, World Affairs is able to offer a $200 transportation stipend over the summer. Upon request, we can work with your college or university to facilitate academic credit.
Type/Location: Hybrid role with flexibility. Approximately one day in-person per week at our Center City office by Suburban Station with the rest of the week working remotely.
DESCRIPTION
About World Affairs Council of Philadelphia: As the region’s largest and longest-running international nonprofit, World Affairs opens doors between Philadelphia and the world. From powerful speaker events and international exchanges to youth education, to professional development and curated travel programs, this is where continents, cultures, and ideas connect.
About the Internship: Our Communications Team is seeking a Graphic Design & Social Media Intern who will report to and work closely with our Digital Content Manager. Periodically, the intern will work alongside the Director of Communications. Interns will gain first-hand experience working for a nonpartisan, international organization on a creative team. Creative opportunities for growth will be accessed and provided to candidates who demonstrate strong design and time management skills. Interns may have opportunities to attend communications and staff meetings, as well as speaker or organizational events, when made available.
Primary responsibilities may include but are not limited to:
- Designing promotional materials, including flyers, toolkits, and event collateral.
- Creating visually compelling graphics and/or infographics for social media campaigns.
- Helping to monitor social media engagement and providing insights for improvement.
- Maintaining consistency in messaging and visual branding across all channels by understanding and learning our brand identity guidelines.
- Collaborating with team members to help brainstorm and develop creative project ideas.
- Support archival efforts by curating and digitally archiving our best photographs and by creating mock-ups for a pictorial timeline depicting our 75-year legacy.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Successful applicants are creative thinkers who love the design process and who would like to explore working for a small, dynamic nonprofit that focuses on global affairs, cultural diplomacy, and opening doors between Philadelphia and the world. Ideal candidates are professional, proactive, and independent workers who are searching for a growth opportunity and who genuinely love to learn.
Additional qualifications include:
- Demonstrates high technical aptitude in design-based applications. Proficiency in Canva and/or Adobe Suite a plus. Candidate should have a self-starter mindset to learn Canva, if needed, as design projects will be created in that application.
- Excellent project management and time management skills.
- Detail-oriented, reliable, and professional. Strong interpersonal skills.
- Able to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
- A high level of professional etiquette and respect for different cultures and customs.
- An interest in international relations and citizen diplomacy is a plus.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please email your resume, cover letter, and a digital portfolio of your best design work. If available, include any social media content/design work (optional). Email your portfolio as a PDF file or a link to careers@wacphila.org with the subject line “Graphic Design and Social Media Internship Application.” In your cover letter, please explain why you’re interested in the position, what you hope to gain out of the experience, and your preferred dates of availability.
Professional Exchanges Intern
Hours: Part-time (8 – 10 hours during school year; 15 – 20 hours during summer). Hours are negotiable depending on individual circumstances.
Stipend/Class Credit: We are willing to work with your educational institution to provide academic credit, if requested. $200 transportation stipend per semester.
Dates: Minimum 10 weeks during Summer, Fall, or Spring semesters.
Location: Hybrid
DESCRIPTION
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia implements short-term programs to build the capacity of current and emerging leaders in a specific subject area in partnership with the U.S. Department of State and other entities. The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program connecting current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields with their U.S. peers.
Professional Exchange interns work closely with their supervisor to support meetings and events across the Philadelphia region. Interns have a first-hand look at cross cultural dialogue in multiple sectors, meet current and emerging leaders from around the globe, and connect with key leaders in the Philadelphia region. Specific activities may include:
- Supporting itinerary development and logistical planning for guests from the US Department of State’s International Visitors Leadership Program.
- Conducting research to identify programming resources.
- Drafting program email correspondence as directed by supervisor.
- Preparing information to acquaint international guests with Philadelphia.
- Updating program databases and informational documents.
- Supporting preparations for networking receptions and additional special events.
- Escorting international delegations to meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Successful applicants are detail-oriented, reliable, and professional. Strong interpersonal skills and an interest in international relations are a plus. Students who can commit to 2 full semesters will be given special consideration.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, time management, and strong research skills.
- Interest in serving as a citizen diplomat and cultural ambassador of the Philadelphia region.
- A high level of professional etiquette and respect for different cultures and customs.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Basic knowledge of Salesforce and Canva is preferred
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please send your cover letter and resume to careers@wacphila.org with the subject line “Professional Exchanges Internship Application.” In your cover letter please include details on your interest in the position, what you hope to gain out of the experience, and the dates you are seeking to intern.
Fall 2025 Applicants: Please submit your application by July 11, 2025.
Youth Programming Intern
Hours: Part-time (minimum 15 – 20 hours per week)
Stipend/Class Credit: We are willing to work with your educational institution to provide academic credit, if requested. $200 transportation stipend per semester.
Dates: Minimum 10 weeks Summer, Fall, or Spring semesters
Location: In-person at our Center City office with hybrid/remote work on occasion
DESCRIPTION
The World Affairs Council of Philadelphia serves nearly 3,000 students from across 100 middle and high schools with its Youth Programming. The Youth Programming intern will help to support the development and implementation of World Affairs middle and high school programs such as Model Senate, Global Economic Forum, Citizen Diplomat Academy, Global Scholars, Sister Cities High School Youth Exchanges, Summer Global Leadership Seminar, UN Summer Camp, Camp, Jr. Model United Nations, and the Global Smarts Mentoring Program. Specific internship responsibilities may include:
- Serving as a “Facilitator” for youth programs, guiding student discussion and debate
- Helping with program registration and check-in
- Distributing and collecting student and teacher program evaluations
- Utilizing our Salesforce customer relationship management tool for supporting data management
- Ushering and helping to answer questions
- Researching and compiling information for topics related to World Affairs’ simulation (role-playing) events and programs
- Helping to conceptualize programs and be willing to share creative ideas
- Designing program materials such as resource guides, worksheets, presentation templates, class activities, and fact sheets
- Working to create and/or organize spreadsheets with data related to youth programs
- Compiling and organizing program evaluation data for reporting purposes
- Taking notes at internal and external meetings, as needed
QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Successful applicants are detail-oriented, reliable, and professional. Strong interpersonal skills and an interest in international relations are a plus. Students who can commit to 2 full semesters will be given special consideration.
- Commitment to World Affairs’ mission, which includes being non-partisan
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, time management, and strong research skills; Proficiency in proper source citation required
- A strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Suite (Google Drive). Basic knowledge of Canva is preferred
- Ability to work on and complete multiple tasks
- Experience working with project deadlines
- Ability to work well in a high-paced, results oriented environment
- Ability to be an independent self-starter as well as the ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
- Experience and passion working with middle and high school students preferred
- A high level of professional etiquette and ability to respect different backgrounds, cultures, and customs
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please send your cover letter and resume to careers@wacphila.org with the subject line “Youth Programming Internship – ‘[Preferred Semester & Year].’ In your cover letter, include details on your interest in the position, what you hope to gain from the internship experience, and the semester you seek to intern (include a start and end date). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with start dates typically occurring in September, January and May. Interviews are held in person.