Youth Exchange Program Officer

Job Title: Youth Exchange Program Officer

Area: Rotary Programs for Young Leaders

Reports to: Rotary Programs for Young Leaders Supervisor

Classification: Exempt

Location: Evanston, IL

This position is designated as Fully Remote and is not expected to work from our World Headquarters (unless occasionally necessary for meetings/trainings, etc.). All employees classified as fully remote may work from any of the states where Rotary currently has employees, which includes: IL, CA, IN, OR, LA, NC, MN, WI, TN, TX, MI, GA, VA, MA, RI, AZ and WA (these are states where Rotary is currently registered as an employer).

Organization Overview

Rotary is a membership organization that unites people from all continents and cultures who take action to deliver real, long-term solutions to pressing issues facing our communities and the world. Each year, Rotary members expand their networks, build lasting relationships, and invest more than $300 million and 16 million volunteer hours to improve lives and create positive change in the world. In exchange for hard work and dedication in support of Rotary's clubs, members and other participants, and their humanitarian service projects, our employees receive competitive salaries, flexible schedules, comprehensive benefits, and job enrichment. To learn more, visit

Rotary's Commitment to Belonging

At Rotary, we foster a welcoming environment where all employees are valued and empowered. We are dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities and supporting the growth and well-being of our team. Join us in building a world where everyone can unite, take action, and create lasting change.

Position Overview

The Youth Exchange Program Officer will be subject matter expert on Rotary's global youth exchange program: a global exchange program for young leaders ages 15-19 to live, study, and experience cultural immersion abroad. The position is integral to supporting the operations, outcomes, and long-term impact of Rotary Youth Exchange. You will be a program subject matter expert, supporting regional program leaders with curating a positive, meaningful, successful experience for program participants. You will have proficiency in youth exchange administration to support volunteer program leaders, create learning resources, facilitate in-person and virtual networking opportunities, and help members establish and implement program and safety standards for students and volunteers in the Rotary Youth Exchange program. You will serve as the subject matter expert on the Rotary's Youth Exchange program, responsible for program certification, administration, and collaboration on the Youth Exchange program and alumni engagement strategy. You will help program leaders and participants understand and uphold Rotary's Youth Protection Policies and Commitment to Youth Safety to foster safe environments for youth and foster education around youth safeguarding within the Youth Exchange program.

You Will Have

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent)
• Minimum of four years' experience in youth programming, service-learning preferred, or administration of international exchange programs.
• Past experience in education abroad field helpful.
• Experience with content development helpful.
• Experience in crisis counseling, social work, and/or child abuse prevention preferred.
• Previous work experience with an international non-government organization (NGO), or training or membership associations.
• Multicultural experience, with proficiency in a second language.

You Are Good At

• Critical thinking: Reading, analyzing, and communicating policies and procedures to volunteers with varying leadership levels and expertise to support program goals and outcomes.
• Project management: Developing and evaluating projects, managing multiple priorities, and working autonomously under time constraints within project parameters.
• Communication: Engaging verbally, interpersonally, and in writing to effectively interact with colleagues, volunteers, and other external contacts.
• Innovation: Taking the lead and showing creativity in updating and streamlining business and volunteer processes.
• Accuracy: Showing meticulous attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Self-motivation: Taking direction and working independently.
• Organization: Maintaining focus on the big picture while keeping track of more minor details.
• Collaboration: Building positive relationships with others, working together to find solutions, and making decisions.
• Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service to internal/external contacts.
• Learning new software and technology, as needed.
• Working in a volunteer-led organization.
• Adapting to a changing environment.

You Will Be Responsible For

Expertise

• Serve as a highly independent staff expert who is individually accountable for implementing youth exchange program activities.
• Providing specialized guidance and support to volunteer program officers, Rotary leaders, and the general public.
• Monitor and evaluate youth exchange industry best practices and advise on policy, process, and resources improvements to support Rotary's ability to adapt to changing needs

Program Administration

• Overseeing program resources to support volunteer program leaders, host families and communities, and program participants have a meaningful and quality program experience.
• Collaborating with Youth Exchange Specialist to develop, revise, and edit production of learning materials for Rotary members and youth exchange participants engaged in youth service worldwide as program handbooks, online courses, and facilitator guides.
• Partnering with the Youth Exchange Engagement Specialist on the Youth Exchange Officers Preconvention and Youth Exchange representation at Convention and other Rotary and regional events.
• Building and maintaining a strong working relationship with Youth Exchange regional groups, multidistrict entities, and alumni associations.
• Sourcing best practice, lessons learned, and success stories to support program leaders and to collaborate with the Youth Exchange Engagement Specialist, communications leads, and other content creators on program cross-promotion.
• Collaborating with the Youth Exchange Specialist on the district Youth Exchange certification program to ensure minimum standards on student safety. Periodically leading program compliance reviews and on-site district Youth Exchange evaluations and reviews internal procedures to ensure on-going compliance and monitoring.

Analysis & Strategy

• Co-creating a program support and implementation strategy for Rotary Youth Exchange in collaboration with the Supervisor and Manager and with input from key constituents.
• Gathering feedback on the effectiveness and impact of young leader programs, communications, and learning materials.
• Analyzing the current service delivery model, including the certification process, to identify and implement process improvement to help reduce administrative burden for program leaders and participants.
• Incorporating feedback from research data to recommend strategies and improve learning resources, communication tactics, and programming.
• Identifying innovative strategies based on market trends and best practices to develop learning content and deliver messages.
• Assisting alumni relations strategy for youth program participants, promotion of alumni activities, and communications with our members to establish ties with lost alumni.

Youth Safeguarding

• Remaining knowledgeable, informed, and committed to upholding youth safety across the Youth Exchange program delivery model. Be familiar with related Youth Protection sections of the Rotary Code of Polices and policy decisions.
• Fostering a strong working relationship with the Youth Safety Officers to promptly address youth protection concerns within the Youth Exchange program.
• Reviewing reports of sexual misconduct involving youth, when necessary, as part of Rotary's commitment to safeguarding youth.
• Coordinate youth safeguarding communications and guidelines for Rotary Youth Exchange in collaboration with the Culture & Values team.
• Provide feedback on trends (regional, topical, etc.) in safeguarding based on participant and volunteer interactions and work with the Culture & Values team to provide support and resources, as needed.

Board and committee support

• Collaborates with the Programs for Young Leaders Supervisor to provide input on Youth Exchange program policies, board items, and ensures the implementation of all section-related board and trustee action.
• Prepares updates and reports and occasionally presents to RI committees.

Other

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with other organizations that support student exchange programs.
• Represent and/or present on behalf of Youth Exchange and RI at Rotary and other public events as assigned.
• Occasional international and domestic travel, including some weekends.
• Occasional virtual weekend speaking engagements.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned

Leadership Attributes

• Engagement: Foster relationships by hearing, recognizing, and valuing others.
• Communication: Be open to receiving ideas from diverse viewpoints and able to communicate messages so that they are universally understood.
• Collaboration: Builds partnerships and works jointly with others to meet shared objectives.
• Global Perspective: Anticipates trends in the global humanitarian market to make decisions on where to focus Rotary's efforts.
• Presence: Demonstrate composure and confidence.
• Accountability: Have a clear sense of ownership and take personal responsibility for actions.
• Strategy: Identify Rotary's opportunities and design approaches that align with our strategic goals.
• Adaptability: Respond to changes willingly and recognize when to adjust based on the situation

Salary Range

• $82,350 - $91,500

Why work for Rotary?

• Generous medical, dental, and vision benefits package
• Progressive 401k matching contributions
• Above market and generous paid time off package
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development opportunities
• On-site cafeteria and coffee bar with special pricing for Rotary employees
• Flextime-several different work schedules to choose from
• Close to CTA, Metra, a variety of stores, and many food options