Program Officer; YA-

YA-USA, Youth Exchange

Reports to: Senior Program Officer

Reports
to: Director of Youth Programming

Salary Range: $57,000–$65,500

Anticipated

Start Date:

November 30, 2026

Term of Employment: Full-time

Base of Operations Designation: Vermont

Remote Eligible: Remote OR Hybrid

World Learning seeks a Program Officer, YA-USA to manage day-to-day implementation of the U.S. Department of State–funded Youth Ambassadors – USA (YA-USA) program, which sends American high school students and adult mentors on leadership exchanges abroad. The Program Officer, YA-USA will coordinate program design and logistics with overseas host partners, lead virtual and in-person pre-departure preparation for participants and adult mentors, support participants on program and through the follow-on period, and track program data and budgets for funder reporting.

This person will work closely with the Senior Program Officer, Outbound and with Enrollment and Operations colleagues to deliver a safe, high-quality exchange that meets all Department of State requirements. The specific programs and countries in this role's portfolio may shift over time based on funding and U.S. Government priorities.

This position will be a part of the Global Programs unit of World Learning which designs, implements, monitors and evaluates global exchange and education programs. We work with various donors, including the U.S. Department of State, to achieve immediate impact and sustainable outcomes. Consistent with our organization's status as both a global nonprofit and an accredited institution of higher education, we prioritize experiential programs that are grounded in theory and proven in practice.

• Coordinate with overseas host partners on program itineraries, homestay arrangements, site visits, and community engagement activities for each country cohort.
• Track partner deliverables, including itineraries, risk management plans, host family information, and reports, to ensure deadlines are met.
• Support the Senior Program Officer, Outbound in designing and refining the YA-USA curriculum, including youth leadership and applied AI content.
• Prepare program activity calendars and outward-facing materials for Department of State review and approval.
• Provide program information to the Operations team for travel, logistics, group leader hiring, and vendor management.

• Deliver virtual pre-departure programming for youth and adult mentors on the Kolab platform, including live sessions, modules, and adult mentor meetings.
• Plan and help facilitate in-person pre-departure orientations, including logistics briefings, site visits, and cohort-building activities.
• Develop and update pre-departure materials, participant handbooks, and family communications in coordination with Enrollment and Operations.
• Support participants and families through pre-departure requirements, including passport, visa, medical, and travel document collection as assigned.
• Participate in candidate interviews and selection review as assigned.

• Monitor participant wellbeing and program delivery during in-country exchanges through regular contact with group leaders, adult mentors, and host partners.
• Support group leaders and adult mentors in responding to health, behavior, and logistical issues, escalating incidents to the on-call team as appropriate.
• Serve on the on-call team during program season, including night, weekend, and holiday shifts as assigned.
• Attend and fully engage in Staff Training, including workshop design, session facilitation, and on-site support as assigned.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the Youth…