Team Leader​/EU Initiative; U.S. Public Diplomacy & Education ICF

Position description

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting‑edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

The Experience EU program is a flagship public diplomacy initiative implemented on behalf of the European Union’s Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) through the EU Delegation to the United States. The program strengthens mutual understanding between European and U.S. audiences by showcasing the EU’s values, diversity, and opportunities, and by fostering engagement through education cooperation, youth initiatives, cultural activities, and community outreach.

By building networks among students, educators, researchers, alumni, civil society organizations, and cultural stakeholders across the United States, Experience EU promotes transatlantic dialogue and collaboration. Activities include campus outreach, public diplomacy events, digital engagement, and alumni activation linked to EU programs.

Role Overview

The Team Leader (TL) will provide overall leadership and strategic management for the initiative, ensuring coherent delivery of activities and a unified vision across all program components. The Team Leader will coordinate with European Union EU and U.S. partners, manage a multidisciplinary team, and guarantee high‑quality, timely outputs that meet the project’s objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall strategic direction, leadership, and coordination across project components.
• Oversee design and implementation of activities highlighting EU values, policies, and culture for diverse U.S. audiences, including youth, educators, universities, civil society, and cultural stakeholders.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with U.S. higher education institutions, think tanks, youth organizations, and cultural institutions.
• Manage and supervise a multidisciplinary team of experts, ensuring quality, coherence, and impact.
• Lead quality assurance for reports, communication materials, and events.
• Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and data reporting in line with the project’s logical framework and performance indicators.
• Manage risk assessment, work planning, budgeting, and compliance with NDICI‑GE requirements.
• Represent the project at a senior level in meetings and engagements with stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years’ professional experience in international cooperation, public diplomacy, education or cultural relations, or alumni engagement.
• Minimum of 5 years’ as Team Leader or Project Director in EU‑funded (Europe Aid/NDICI/FPI) projects.

Additional Qualifications

• Deep understanding of European Union external action instruments and public diplomacy frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large‑scale or multi‑country outreach projects involving diverse stakeholder groups.
• Experience working with education institutions, alumni associations, youth organizations, or cultural networks.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Professional fluency in English (written and spoken); knowledge of one or more EU languages is an asset.
• Prior experience engaging professionally or academically with the United States preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience collaborating with EU Delegations or diplomatic missions.
• Background in transatlantic cooperation, community building, or higher education mobility (e.g., Erasmus+).
• Familiarity with event management, communications, digital outreach, or alumni network platforms.
• Understanding of U.S. education systems and civil society and cultural landscapes.

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