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National Program Officer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

... national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization ... The Secretariat is seeking a Program Officer to provide comprehensive assistance in the planning ...

... national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization ... The Secretariat is seeking a Program Officer to provide comprehensive assistance in the planning ...

Therefore, the Program Officer must be organized, diplomatic and team-focused. RESPONSIBILITIES โ€ข ... age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual ...

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National Program Officer information

What is a national program officer?

National Program Officers (NPOs) are professionals responsible for managing, coordinating, and implementing programs and projects within national or international organizations. They work closely with stakeholders, partners, and government agencies to ensure that programs meet their objectives and comply with organizational guidelines. NPOs often oversee budgets, monitor progress, and report on outcomes to ensure effectiveness and accountability. Their role is crucial in translating organizational goals into actionable projects that address national or regional needs.

What are some typical challenges faced by a national program officer when coordinating multi-regional initiatives?

National Program Officers often encounter challenges in aligning diverse regional priorities and ensuring consistent implementation across various locations. Balancing differing stakeholder expectations, managing remote teams, and adapting to local regulations or cultural contexts are common hurdles. Success in this role requires strong communication, effective stakeholder management, and the ability to develop adaptable strategies that address both national objectives and local needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a national program officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a National Program Officer, you need expertise in program management, policy analysis, and a relevant degree such as in public administration, international relations, or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools, monitoring and evaluation systems, and often fluency in multiple languages or specific certifications (e.g., PMP) are highly valuable. Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving skills set outstanding candidates apart. These competencies are crucial for effectively designing, implementing, and evaluating national programs that meet organizational and stakeholder objectives.

What is the difference between National Program Officer vs Program Coordinator?

AspectNational Program OfficerProgram Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in program management, relevant certificationsBachelor's degree often preferred, less emphasis on certifications
Work EnvironmentNational offices, policy development, strategic planningField sites, event organization, day-to-day program activities
Employer & Industry UsageNGOs, government agencies, international organizationsNonprofits, community organizations, local agencies

The main difference is that a National Program Officer typically handles strategic, policy-level responsibilities at the national level, requiring more experience and credentials. In contrast, a Program Coordinator focuses on implementing and managing specific program activities, often at the local or regional level. Both roles are essential but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Program Officer jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Program Officer jobs in Washington are:

Infographic showing various National Program Officer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Hybrid job distribution.

Program Officer

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

The World Bank Group
International Trade Financingย โ€ขย 1 - 5K employees

Per diem

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description

The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty and promoting shared prosperity. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a multilateral financial mechanism created in 1991 to provide grant and concessional funds to recipient countries for projects and programs that address biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and adaptation, degradation of international waters, land and forests, ozone depletion, elimination or reduction of persistent organic pollutants and mercury, all within the framework of sustainable development.
The GEF unites 186 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, GEF is the designated financial mechanism for five multilateral environmental conventions: The Convention on Biological Diversity, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), UN Convention to Combat Desertification, and Minamata Convention on Mercury. GEF was also recently designated to serve as part of the financial mechanism of the international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
Since 1991, the GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing 24.7 billion in grants for over 5,700 projects in over 170 countries.ย 
The GEF Secretariat is a Vice-Presidential Unit (VPU) within the World Bank for administrative purposes and has approximately 100 professional, administrative and client support staff.ย 
The Secretariat is seeking a Program Officer to provide comprehensive assistance in the planning, organization, and execution of Council Meetings and other meetings such as the GEF Assembly and the replenishment meetings. The role requires a professional with proven track record in international event coordination, strong diplomatic skills, and experience in high-level engagements. The incumbent will play a key role in ensuring the smooth operation of Council Meetings, supporting both technical and political aspects, and maintaining high standards of organization and detail.ย 
The selected Program Officer will report to the Secretary to the GEF Council.
Objective
The Program Officer will provide strategic and operational leadership to the GEF Events Team, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, impactful events that meet institutional standards and effectively serve GEF's diverse stakeholder community. The role also carries a strong team development mandate, with responsibility for building both the technical and interpersonal capabilities of team members.
Scope of Work
The Program Officer will be responsible for the following:
Events Team Coordination
Coordinate and supervise the events team in end-to-end planning, logistics, and execution of GEF international events (efficient per diem delivery, venue selection, contracting, Purchase Orders, travel logistics, interpretation, audio-visual services, travel for sponsored participants, among others).
Develop and coordinate travel guideless in line with World Bank's policy, event budgets, timelines, work plans and roles and responsibilities of each team member, ensuring delivery within scope and on schedule.
Develop contingency plans and coordinate operations, including troubleshooting unforeseen issues in real time.
Develop post-event evaluations and produce lessons-learned reports to continuously improve event quality.
Back-fill members from the events team as needed.
Team Leadership and Development
Coordinate and mentor the GEF Events Team, providing day-to-day guidance, workload coordination, and performance oversight.ย 
Conduct regular one-on-one check-ins and team meetings to foster a collaborative, high-performing work culture.
Identify training needs and facilitate access to relevant learning opportunities for team members.
Set clear performance expectations and provide constructive feedback.
Strategic and Institutional Contribution
Advise on event strategy, format innovation, and best practices in international event coordination.
Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures and events coordination guidelines.

Note:ย This internal requisition is open to WBG and IMF staff only (including short-term and extended term consultants/ temporaries). External candidates are requested not to apply. In case an external candidate applies, their application will not be considered.