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Program Officer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Counterpart

Program Officer - Africa

Arlington, VA · On-site

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 ...

Counterpart

Program Officer - Africa

Arlington, VA · On-site

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 ...

Counterpart

Senior Program Officer

Arlington, VA · On-site

$132K - $133K/yr

The Senior Program Officer will be also responsible for a range of business development opportunities, including research, capture and proposal writing. This is a full time position based in ...

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Program Officer information

See Virginia salary details

$33.2K

$99.5K

$154.2K

How much do program officer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for program officer in Virginia is $99,504.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $70,900.00 and $130,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Program Officer typically collaborate with stakeholders to ensure program success?

Program Officers work closely with a variety of stakeholders, including grantees, partner organizations, internal teams, and sometimes beneficiaries. Regular communication and relationship-building are crucial to understanding needs, monitoring progress, and addressing challenges as they arise. Program Officers often facilitate meetings, coordinate reporting, and provide technical assistance to ensure that all parties are aligned on program objectives and deliverables. This collaborative approach not only supports the successful implementation of programs but also fosters a learning environment for continuous improvement.

What are the duties of a program officer?

A program officer manages and oversees specific projects or programs within an organization, ensuring they meet goals, stay within budget, and comply with policies. They coordinate with stakeholders, evaluate program effectiveness, and prepare reports. Strong organizational, communication, and project management skills are essential for this role.

What do program officers do?

Program officers manage and oversee specific projects or initiatives within organizations, often in nonprofit, government, or grant-making sectors. They develop program goals, evaluate proposals, coordinate activities, and ensure objectives are met, frequently using project management skills and industry knowledge.

What Is a Program Officer?

A program officer works for a non-profit organization or foundation to oversee the development of programs and learning activities and seek out grants to fund these programs. In this job, you oversee projects, manage budgets, and develop proposals to grantees as some of your duties. You need experience aligning these programs with the overall mission of the foundation or non-profit. Throughout your career, you work with a variety of people and organizations. Important qualifications include strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively.

What are Program Officers?

Program Officers are professionals who manage and oversee specific projects or programs within an organization, often in the nonprofit, government, or philanthropic sectors. Their responsibilities typically include developing program goals, monitoring progress, evaluating outcomes, managing budgets, and serving as liaisons between stakeholders. They ensure that programs align with organizational objectives and have a meaningful impact. Program Officers also help with grant management and reporting, and often work closely with partners, grantees, or community members to achieve project success.

Do you need a degree to work for an NGO?

Program Officer roles at NGOs typically require a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, development, or public administration. However, some positions may accept extensive experience or specialized skills in lieu of a degree. Relevant experience, strong communication skills, and knowledge of the organization's focus area are also important for hiring decisions.

What is the difference between Program Officer vs Project Coordinator?

AspectProgram OfficerProject Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; often a master's in a related fieldBachelor's degree; relevant certifications optional
Work EnvironmentNonprofit, government, or international organizations managing multiple projectsProject-specific tasks within organizations, supporting project execution
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in NGOs, government agencies, and foundationsCommon in corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors

While both roles involve managing projects, a Program Officer oversees multiple projects or programs, focusing on strategic goals and stakeholder engagement. A Project Coordinator handles specific project tasks, ensuring timely execution. The Program Officer's role is broader and more strategic, whereas the Project Coordinator's role is more operational and task-focused.

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

To thrive as a Program Officer, you need strong project management, analytical, and grant-writing skills, usually supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with program evaluation tools, budgeting software, and donor management systems is often required. Exceptional communication, organizational abilities, and stakeholder engagement are key soft skills that distinguish top candidates. These skills are critical for effectively designing, implementing, and monitoring programs that meet organizational goals and deliver meaningful impact.

What is the highest paying job in a non-profit?

In the non-profit sector, executive roles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) or Executive Director tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures depending on the organization's size and budget. Other high-paying positions include Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and development directors with extensive experience and advanced degrees, especially in large or well-funded organizations.
More about Program Officer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Program Officer jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Program Officer jobs in Virginia are:
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What job categories do people searching Program Officer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Program Officer jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Program Officer jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Program Officer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Program Officer jobs in VA? For Program Officer jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Program Officer jobs near you
Program Officer - Africa

Program Officer - Africa

Counterpart

Arlington, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 25 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.

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