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Assistant Program Officer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Counterpart International is currently seeking a Program Officer to assist the Africa Team with financial and administrative management of their programs in this region, and especially, to contribute ...

Counterpart International is currently seeking a Program Officer to assist the Africa Team with financial and administrative management of their programs in this region, and especially, to contribute ...

Program Analyst

Arlington, VA · On-site

$90K - $100K/yr

... Assist Program Officers with annual phasing and planning activities, including development of spend plans. • Respond to programmatic, technical, and financial data calls from multiple internal and ...

Review and analyze financial documents, plans, and reports to identify deficiencies, excesses, trends, and imbalances that impact execution benchmarks. Assist Program Officers with annual phasing and ...

... Assist Program Officers with annual phasing and planning activities, including development of spend plans. • Respond to programmatic, technical, and financial data calls from multiple internal and ...

Review and analyze financial documents, plans, and reports to identify deficiencies, excesses, trends, and imbalances that impact execution benchmarks. Assist Program Officers with annual phasing and ...

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Assistant Program Officer information

See Virginia salary details

$21.3K

$45.3K

$62.5K

How much do assistant program officer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant program officer in Virginia is $45,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,200.00 and $47,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Assistant Program Officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Assistant Program Officer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and experience in project management, program evaluation, and research. Familiarity with data analysis tools, grant management systems, and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite are commonly required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for managing multiple tasks and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills ensure programs are executed efficiently, objectives are met, and stakeholder relationships are maintained.

What are some common challenges faced by Assistant Program Officers when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Assistant Program Officers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges in prioritization and time management. Balancing competing deadlines, coordinating with diverse stakeholders, and adapting to shifting program needs require strong organizational skills and flexibility. Successful professionals in this role proactively communicate with team members, use project management tools, and regularly review progress to stay on track. Being open to feedback and willing to adjust plans as needed are also key to overcoming these challenges.

What does an Assistant Program Officer do?

An Assistant Program Officer supports the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs within an organization, often in the nonprofit, government, or educational sectors. They assist with administrative tasks, help coordinate program activities, maintain documentation, and communicate with stakeholders. Their role is vital in ensuring that programs run smoothly and achieve their goals. They may also help with budget tracking, reporting, and researching best practices for program improvement.

What is the difference between Assistant Program Officer vs Program Officer?

AspectAssistant Program OfficerProgram Officer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, relevant experienceBachelor's or master's degree, more experience
Work EnvironmentSupportive team, entry to mid-levelLeadership role, project management
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, NGOs, government agenciesSimilar sectors, more responsibility
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between an Assistant Program Officer and a Program Officer lies in their level of responsibility and experience. Assistant Program Officers typically support program activities and handle administrative tasks, while Program Officers oversee projects, manage teams, and make strategic decisions. Both roles are common in nonprofit and government sectors, with the Program Officer position requiring more experience and leadership skills.

What are the most commonly searched types of Program Officer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Program Officer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Assistant Program Officer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Assistant Program Officer job openings:
Infographic showing various Assistant Program Officer job openings in Virginia as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 93% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,329 per year, or $21.8 per hour.
Program Officer - Africa

Program Officer - Africa

Counterpart

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Profile:
Counterpart International is currently seeking a Program Officer to assist the Africa Team with financial and administrative management of their programs in this region, and especially, to contribute to meeting programmatic reporting requirements. The Program Officer will liaise with all departments in HQ to provide backstop support to field operations focused on ensuring all transactions meet financial, administrative and compliance requirements. The Program Officer will also be responsible for a range of business development opportunities, including research, capture and proposal writing. As currently envisioned, this position will support Counterpart's programming in Malawi and Mozambique, but the individual may be asked to support other projects in the region as the need may dictate. This is a full-time position based in Arlington and will report to the Senior Program Manager.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Along with the Senior Program Manager, serve as a primary interface with the Chief of Party (COP) and local staff to support the implementation of projects within budget, established time frames, standards of quality, and donor satisfaction.
  • Establish and maintain a productive working relationship with field staff, headquarters staff, implementing partners and consultants.
  • Support, monitor and evaluate program performance through regular tracking of financial and programmatic reports, M&E data, communication with the field teams, and periodic travel to the country.
    • Monitor program finances and monthly pipelines, and provide guidance to field teams concerning program expenditures, and budget projections working closely with HQ accountants and field finance managers.
    • Review and evaluate program work plans, program performance and evaluation plans; ensure their timely implementation.
    • Review and evaluate quarterly and final program reports.
    • Conduct monitoring trips to the program site as needed.
    • Support the development and implementation of annual work plans. Support the field team in establishing programmatic targets, collecting and maintaining the program monitoring records.
  • Review sub-recipient grant packages for quality control, and assist local staff where needed, before they are processed for signature.
  • Review procurement packages for quality control, and assist local staff where needed, before they are processed for signature.
  • Assist in the preparations of budget realignments and/or modifications to existing awards, as necessary.
  • Troubleshoot project problems, and identify and implement creative solutions where needed.
  • Engage in personnel decision-making: screen and interview candidates for key field personnel, HQ positions, and potential new staff for proposals.
  • Support the expansion and diversification of Counterpart's Africa portfolio by:
    • Researching and identifying opportunities for growth of the portfolio;
    • Undertaking capture work to pre-position Counterpart for new funding;
    • Cultivating and leveraging strategic donor relationships,
    • Support diversification effforts of USG and non-USG funders;
  • Maintain knowledge of issues facing relevant country offices including the operational environment and potential risks associated with the implementation of awards.
  • Represent Counterpart at conferences, professional forums, workshops, events related to Africa programming, and/or technical practices relevant for current program portfolio.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
Required:
  • Bachelor Degree plus a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Sound and demonstrated project management experience, including budget and financial management, and monitoring and evaluation.
  • Knowledge of applicable Federal government regulations (FAR, AIDAR, ADS, CFR, OMB)
  • Ability to produce high quality deliverables throughout the project cycle from planning, management, and execution to troubleshooting.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experience with M&E and program planning, implementation and reporting.
  • Strong computer skills, including MS Office Suite program, and web-based research tools.
  • Strong and demonstrated inter-personal skills, sound judgment, ability to work with diverse teams.
  • Proven multi-tasking skills and attention to detail under time-pressure and on short-deadlines.
  • Ability to travel internationally, often under conditions of hardship.
  • Fluency in English

Preferred:
  • An advanced degree in international development or related field.
  • Demonstrated success with business development, including research, pre-positioning and diversitifation of funding sources.
  • Prior experience working in Africa or on African project(s).
  • Demonstrated understanding of political processes, governance and civic participation.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.