Program Associate, CEW (Arlington)

At NCOA, we offer the chance to make a difference. We're a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of older adults and building a just and caring society in which each of us, as we age, lives with dignity, purpose, and security.

If you’re looking to innovate, grow, and make a meaningful impact, this is your opportunity to join a mission-driven team working to create the conditions for all to age well today and into the future. Every day, NCOA empowers older adults, strengthens communities, and advocates for lasting change to ensure everyone has access to the resources needed to age well. 

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is seeking a passionate, collaborative, and innovative Program Associate to join us during an exciting period of growth and impact.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Associate plays a central role in the development and coordination of programmatic activities within the Center for Economic Well-Being (CEW) team. This role works both independently and collaboratively to plan and implement training and technical assistance for network members, including grantees, service delivery partners, and community-based organizations. Serving as the primary point of contact for community-based partners across the country, the Program Associate monitors and supports grantees and other network partners in achieving social impact goals, highlights exemplary practices, and provides information, support, and resources to strengthen and expand an integrated, sustainable service system.

The Program Associate works collaboratively with NCOA staff, external grantees, consultants, and other network members and partners and across diverse audiences of service providers, community leaders, funders, and the public. Activities center on technical assistance and support to the Center for Economic Well-Being’s (CEW) network of community-based organizations.

Positions at this level typically report to an associate director or director and require experience supporting projects and managing tasks or deliverables. Incumbents are required to exercise judgement within their scope of work based on defined guidelines. Incumbents generally have one or more years of experience in their discipline and a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent, as well as substantive experience at this level.Graduate level degrees may be considered in lieu of experience. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide technical assistance and support to network members to build capacity toward an expansive, sustainable infrastructure for programs. Technical assistance includes monitoring partner activities; researching and providing prompt and thoughtful responses to requests for information or assistance; resource development (tip sheets, issue briefs, fact sheets, toolkits, etc.); ongoing communication with partners via various channels to support their activities and goals; and documenting and sharing learnings and exemplary practices from the field.
• Track, identify, and foster use of promising practices related to comprehensive, person-centered approaches that facilitate access to or attainment of health coverage and benefits, economic and financial security, social benefits, and safety net system resources.
• Assist with the development of request for proposals (RFPs) to select and award grant funding to qualified community-based organizations (CBOs).
• Participate in national and regional meetings and other events to increase knowledge about health care access, economic security, and access to safety net systems and social benefits for older adults, and the work of NCOA. 
• Communicate learnings about the Center’s work through technical assistance calls, conference presentations, webinars, facilitated discussions, reports, publications, and other venues.
• Foster a spirit of collaboration, coordination, and communication in carrying out responsibilities, and work closely with NCOA staff to accomplish goals. Participate in team meetings, contribute to the agenda, and support creative solutions to issues that are discussed. Participate in work plan discussions, performance monitoring reviews, and continuous quality improvement activities to contribute to the success of the team.
• Monitor program activities to ensure quality and accuracy of work outcomes of contractual and grant commitments. Manage relationships with and provide oversight of partners and grantees. Oversee and track contracts with partners, including assisting with reporting and invoicing requirements.
• Conduct site visits, attend conferences, participate in partner meetings, and engage in other business travel as required to support grantee relationships, program oversight, and organizational objectives.
• Serve as an ambassador for NCOA's mission, social impact goals, and programs by establishing and maintaining positive relationships with grantees, partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Convey interest and enthusiasm in support of grantees and programs during site visits and meetings.
• Research and identify opportunities to promote the Center and network members’ work at national and state conferences and via regular webinars. Assist with submission of abstracts, coordination of webinar schedules, and presentation preparation, as necessary.
• Assist with the development of grant proposals to expand the work of CEW. 
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned. 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of one year of experience providing technical assistance or in a related role. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage projects and tasks effectively, with strong organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Strong verbal, written, presentation, and facilitation skills, with the ability to adapt communication style to stakeholder needs and effectively engage audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders and communicate effectively in both internal and external settings.
• Experience supporting or facilitating meetings, trainings, presentations, work groups, webinars, communities of practice, or other group discussions preferred.
• Understanding and knowledge of public benefits, aging issues, and/or impact of economic insecurity of older adults preferred. Basic understanding of grant-funded initiatives and associated reporting requirements is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word). Experience with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms, databases, and online tools strongly preferred. Familiarity with webinar technology is a plus. 
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 10-20% of the time, including overnight travel, anywhere within the United States and its territories, to support quarterly site visits, conferences, partner meetings, training, and other business-related activities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently required to sit or use a standing desk. 
• Occasionally required to walk. 
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. 
• Frequently required to talk or listen. 
• Occasionally required to bend, lift or climb stairs.
• Occasionally required to lift light weights (less than 25 pounds). 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELECTION PROCESS

We only accept applications that follow the electronic process. No phone calls please. This position is subject to background screening. 

NCOA offers generous benefits, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD insurances
• Paid vacation, sick, and other types of leave
• 403(b) Retirement plan
• Hybrid remote work options
• And more!

NCOA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Compensation details: 55000-65000 Yearly Salary

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