MERC Senior Program Manager
Summary
Senior program manager embedded in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs to lead the Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program, overseeing joint Arab-Israeli research grants, proposal review, monitoring and evaluation, outreach, and partnerships. Requires a PhD in natural sciences or engineering plus foreign assistance experience.
Overview
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Position Summary
The Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract (HASC) combines deep institutional expertise, technical leadership, and a strong commitment to U.S. missions. Through HASC, Team Credence provides operational and administrative support to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to coordinate humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and foreign assistance efforts across multiple bureaus, maintaining a 24/7 response capability.
Credence has an immediate need for a Senior Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program Manager.
The Senior Middle East Regional Cooperation (MERC) Program Manager is embedded within the Office of Assistance Coordination (AC) within the DOS Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA). NEA/AC is responsible for coordinating U.S. foreign assistance in the NEA region, including by providing policy direction and operating guidance to officials in Washington and at NEA posts responsible for the implementation of regional assistance programs; overseeing strategic planning, budgeting, and monitoring and evaluation for the Bureau; and providing grants management of foreign assistance awards for the NEA Bureau and overseas NEA posts.
This position manages the MERC Program portfolio, including managing staff and leading the strategic planning, oversight, outreach, and reporting associated with the Program. The incumbent's diverse responsibilities include leading oversight and support for the MERC Program that reviews, funds, and monitors joint Arab-Israeli research grants, and identifying potential implementation mechanisms and partnerships in the public and private sectors. This will include strategic outreach with institutions and leveraging the MERC Program's existing network to engage with prospective applicants and promote dissemination and uptake of research results. Following a pivot in program focus, MERC applied research projects address shared regional challenges while advancing U.S. economic, technological, and strategic interests. MERC prioritizes efforts that strengthen U.S. technological leadership, expand opportunities for U.S. businesses, promote the use of U.S. technologies, and build long-term partnerships in the region.
Day-to-day oversight of the position will be provided by a designated DOS government technical manager (GTM), with formal supervisory and evaluation functions performed by a Team Credence contract supervisor.
Application Closing Date: The closing date for applications is Monday, November 9, 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direction of designated GTM and in support of the MERC Program's mission, the Senior MERC Program Officer will be responsible for the following:
- Strategic leadership for the MERC Program, including managing both technical and administrative staff;
- Leading the MERC Program’s coordination and organization of proposal reviews, and convening and facilitating the MERC Committee which selects proposals to advance for funding;
- Technical oversight of MERC Program activities including site visits, and monitoring and evaluations; and liaising with grant recipients and other implementers on issues that involve technical determinations;
- Leading the MERC Program team to identify potential implementation mechanisms and partnerships in the public and private sectors to further improve the Program's effectiveness in transitioning research results into critical development solutions;
- Identifying projects that strengthen U.S. technological leadership, expand opportunities for U.S. businesses, promote the use of U.S. technologies, and build long-term partnerships in the region;
- Assessing technical, cultural, regulatory, financial, and political barriers to the adoption of improved technologies resulting from supported research;
- Ensuring research best practices and Gold Standard Science including identifying opportunities to incorporate appropriate economic and social-science approaches into projects, as well as ensuring ethical conduct of research, compliance with regulatory requirements, and proper management of intellectual property rights;
- Planning and oversight of the development of highly complex, scientific and technical work products and sets both short-term and long-term priorities;
- Translating technical outcomes from research grants into accessible language for non-technical audiences, and effectively communicating the program’s accomplishments to senior leadership and external stakeholders (e.g., lobby groups, Congressional staff);
- Providing routine technical advice to Grants Officers and Grants Specialists; and
- Advising the U.S. Department of State, overseas posts, and other Federal agencies on issues of science and technology cooperation across a broad range of topics, including water quality and management, natural resources management, One Health, and sustainable agricultural development;
- Performing additional duties as assigned.
Requirements
Required Education and Experience
- PhD in the natural sciences or engineering; AND
- 5 or more years of post-graduate experience in foreign assistance.
- Must have a strong background in the natural sciences or engineering, preferably with a focus in agriculture, natural resources, or water management issues;
- Must have experience leading, mentoring, or supervising both technical and non-technical staff;
- Must have experience with the research-funding process, preferably with prior experience in leading a competitive technical grants selection process in an international context, including experience with peer-review panels and assessing complex, multi-faceted research proposals;
- Must have experience facilitating research collaboration between partners from different countries and cultures, preferably in the Arab-Israeli context, including the political and cultural constraints involved; and
- Preference for foreign assistance experience and experience working overseas, particularly experience working in the Middle East region.
- U.S. citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance are required. An active Secret clearance is preferred.
Other Requirements
- Possess excellent judgment and reliability;
- Have strong organizational skills and exceptional attention to detail;
- Possess excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Have strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and SharePoint;
- Be able to multi-task and work under deadlines in a fast-paced and collaborative environment;
- Be capable of prioritizing tasks and follow up on actions without prompting;
- Be flexible and adaptable to changing circumstances; and
- Be willing to go the extra mile and participate as an active team member who assists other team members as necessary.
Salary Range: $143,000 - $160,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on the selected candidate's experience, education, certifications, skills, and overall qualifications.
Benefits
- Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
- Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
- Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
- Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
- Short Term & Long Term Disability
- Training & Development
- Wellness Resources
Skills
As published by workable · 3 questions
Basics
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Pick from a list (3)
- Do you have knowledge of USG foreign policy, preferably as relates to foreign assistance or other types of federal government programming?
- Do you have knowledge of and experience working on or in the Middle East and North Africa is preferred for this position but not required?
- Are you a U.S. citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance?