Panagora Group
Travel and Conference Logistics Support Specialist (Consultant)
Panagora Group, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States, 20900
Panagora Group LLC | Short Term Technical (consultant)Travel and Conference Logistics Support Specialist (Consultant)
Silver Spring, United States | Posted on 11/06/2024Job Type: Short Term Technical (consultant)City: Silver SpringState/Province: MarylandCountry: United StatesHighest Level of Education: Bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of experience, OR Master’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience, OR JD/ABD and 6 years of relevant experience, OR Ph.D. and 4 years of relevant experience.Work Experience: 7-10 yearsJob Description
About Panagora GroupPanagora Group, a woman- and employee-owned small business providing novel and integrated solutions in global health and international development, provides long-term and short-term technical experts to support strategic engagement, advocacy, and knowledge management and communications (KMC) activities through strategic planning, implementation, and capacity building.Panagora Group is hiring a highly motivated professional who wants to create a social impact in a fast-paced and rewarding work environment. We are seeking applications for the Travel and Conference Logistics Support Specialist (Consultant) position for the USAID-funded Strengthening Transformative and Equitable Partnerships (STEP) project, which started in October 2024.About Strengthening Transformative and Equitable Partnerships (STEP)The STEP program aims to augment the Local, Faith and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub’s efforts to support Missions, Bureaus, and Operating Units (M/B/OUs) to strengthen the capacity of local actors, diversify and expand USAID’s partnerships, and ensure equitability and inclusivity throughout and within partner relationships.The STEP program supports M/B/OU clients across all four (4) Compliance and Capacity Support for Diverse Partnerships (CCSDP) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) tasks: 1) support for Mission staff to improve local partnerships; 2) monitoring, evaluation, and learning support; 3) risk mitigation support; and, 4) capacity strengthening for local actors (including nontraditional and diverse partners). Global in reach, STEP has three main objectives:Identify, support, and convene local and regional organizations and individual actors within local systems.Support and advise Missions and OUs on award implementation for new, nontraditional, diverse, and local partners;Advance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) for equitable partnerships across USAID Missions and OUs.Position OverviewSTEP seeks a Travel and Conference Logistics Support Specialist (Consultant) to assist clients in planning and booking travel and overseas conference arrangements. This may include helping customers find and book flights, hotels, ground transportation, catering and dining options, and conference rooms, as well as providing information about destinations and travel requirements in compliance with USAID rules and regulations.The consultant will work closely with the STEP Finance and Operations (F&O) Director and Panagora’s home office Activity Management Team (AMT) to provide support to USAID STEP’s travel and conference related functions, enhancing the smooth running of activities and overall process improvement.Coordinate with the Panagora Group’s travel office/agency and travelers to share and select flights that are Fly America-compliant.Coordinate with travelers, travel agency, STEP F&O team, and AMT to seek appropriate approvals and follow Panagora Group’s and USAID’s rules and regulations.Support travelers in applying for visas (if applicable).Liaise with travelers to gather all necessary documentation for travel.Work with the STEP F&O team to prepare travel authorization requests and budgets for each traveler.Arrange and coordinate hotel arrangements for all travelers.Communicate with different hotels and secure USAID lodging rates.Work closely with the STEP F&O team and AMT to secure conference space.Assist travelers in completing and compiling travel expense reports.Troubleshoot and resolve customer complaints or issues related to travel.Maintain up to date traveler records and information.Provide guidance and support to the traveler to help them plan their trips.Provide travel advisory guidance related to security, immunization requirements, etc.Ensure compliance with USAID’s travel regulations and company policies.Support travelers to prepare travel related documentation for trip reports for submission.Other duties as assigned.Requirements
QualificationsBachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of experience, OR Master’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience, OR JD/ABD and 6 years of relevant experience, OR Ph.D. and 4 years of relevant experience.Extensive experience dealing with travel related to USAID’s activities.Demonstrated computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, specifically Excel, is required.Comfortable with a project environment that appreciates initiative, personal ownership of work portfolios, and an entrepreneurial mindset and behavior.Proven effectiveness in managing relations with multiple actors.Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated track record of working effectively in a team environment.Ability to work in multiple cultures, highly motivated, self-starting, intellectually curious, flexible, passionate about learning, and deeply committed to social impact.Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, agile, and innovative environment.Excellent attention to detail, strong evidence of delivering high-quality products, and temperament suitable to working in a deadline-oriented environment.Proactive as well as self-motivated and self-directed.Comfortable working independently, taking the initiative once guidance is provided, managing several activities simultaneously, and working under pressure to meet deadlines.Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with all stakeholders.Be able to serve in a virtual or teleworking environment successfully.Extensive experience with USAID and/or the USAID-implementing partner paradigm is highly preferred.French or Arabic language skills are a plus, in addition to English.Experience in managing and supporting large conferences and travel under USAID’s activities is a plus.Qualified applicants should send a resume/CV with a well-written cover letter (let your writing skills shine – please delight us).Applicants must submit all requirements to be considered for the position, including a resume, cover letter, and a pre-engagement questionnaire which will be shared by email. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. on November 13, 2024. We intend to hold interviews on a rolling basis.The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel.No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.Panagora Group LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.
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Silver Spring, United States | Posted on 11/06/2024Job Type: Short Term Technical (consultant)City: Silver SpringState/Province: MarylandCountry: United StatesHighest Level of Education: Bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of experience, OR Master’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience, OR JD/ABD and 6 years of relevant experience, OR Ph.D. and 4 years of relevant experience.Work Experience: 7-10 yearsJob Description
About Panagora GroupPanagora Group, a woman- and employee-owned small business providing novel and integrated solutions in global health and international development, provides long-term and short-term technical experts to support strategic engagement, advocacy, and knowledge management and communications (KMC) activities through strategic planning, implementation, and capacity building.Panagora Group is hiring a highly motivated professional who wants to create a social impact in a fast-paced and rewarding work environment. We are seeking applications for the Travel and Conference Logistics Support Specialist (Consultant) position for the USAID-funded Strengthening Transformative and Equitable Partnerships (STEP) project, which started in October 2024.About Strengthening Transformative and Equitable Partnerships (STEP)The STEP program aims to augment the Local, Faith and Transformative Partnerships (LFT) Hub’s efforts to support Missions, Bureaus, and Operating Units (M/B/OUs) to strengthen the capacity of local actors, diversify and expand USAID’s partnerships, and ensure equitability and inclusivity throughout and within partner relationships.The STEP program supports M/B/OU clients across all four (4) Compliance and Capacity Support for Diverse Partnerships (CCSDP) Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) tasks: 1) support for Mission staff to improve local partnerships; 2) monitoring, evaluation, and learning support; 3) risk mitigation support; and, 4) capacity strengthening for local actors (including nontraditional and diverse partners). Global in reach, STEP has three main objectives:Identify, support, and convene local and regional organizations and individual actors within local systems.Support and advise Missions and OUs on award implementation for new, nontraditional, diverse, and local partners;Advance Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) for equitable partnerships across USAID Missions and OUs.Position OverviewSTEP seeks a Travel and Conference Logistics Support Specialist (Consultant) to assist clients in planning and booking travel and overseas conference arrangements. This may include helping customers find and book flights, hotels, ground transportation, catering and dining options, and conference rooms, as well as providing information about destinations and travel requirements in compliance with USAID rules and regulations.The consultant will work closely with the STEP Finance and Operations (F&O) Director and Panagora’s home office Activity Management Team (AMT) to provide support to USAID STEP’s travel and conference related functions, enhancing the smooth running of activities and overall process improvement.Coordinate with the Panagora Group’s travel office/agency and travelers to share and select flights that are Fly America-compliant.Coordinate with travelers, travel agency, STEP F&O team, and AMT to seek appropriate approvals and follow Panagora Group’s and USAID’s rules and regulations.Support travelers in applying for visas (if applicable).Liaise with travelers to gather all necessary documentation for travel.Work with the STEP F&O team to prepare travel authorization requests and budgets for each traveler.Arrange and coordinate hotel arrangements for all travelers.Communicate with different hotels and secure USAID lodging rates.Work closely with the STEP F&O team and AMT to secure conference space.Assist travelers in completing and compiling travel expense reports.Troubleshoot and resolve customer complaints or issues related to travel.Maintain up to date traveler records and information.Provide guidance and support to the traveler to help them plan their trips.Provide travel advisory guidance related to security, immunization requirements, etc.Ensure compliance with USAID’s travel regulations and company policies.Support travelers to prepare travel related documentation for trip reports for submission.Other duties as assigned.Requirements
QualificationsBachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of experience, OR Master’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience, OR JD/ABD and 6 years of relevant experience, OR Ph.D. and 4 years of relevant experience.Extensive experience dealing with travel related to USAID’s activities.Demonstrated computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace, specifically Excel, is required.Comfortable with a project environment that appreciates initiative, personal ownership of work portfolios, and an entrepreneurial mindset and behavior.Proven effectiveness in managing relations with multiple actors.Excellent communication skills and a demonstrated track record of working effectively in a team environment.Ability to work in multiple cultures, highly motivated, self-starting, intellectually curious, flexible, passionate about learning, and deeply committed to social impact.Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, agile, and innovative environment.Excellent attention to detail, strong evidence of delivering high-quality products, and temperament suitable to working in a deadline-oriented environment.Proactive as well as self-motivated and self-directed.Comfortable working independently, taking the initiative once guidance is provided, managing several activities simultaneously, and working under pressure to meet deadlines.Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to establish and maintain collegial relations with all stakeholders.Be able to serve in a virtual or teleworking environment successfully.Extensive experience with USAID and/or the USAID-implementing partner paradigm is highly preferred.French or Arabic language skills are a plus, in addition to English.Experience in managing and supporting large conferences and travel under USAID’s activities is a plus.Qualified applicants should send a resume/CV with a well-written cover letter (let your writing skills shine – please delight us).Applicants must submit all requirements to be considered for the position, including a resume, cover letter, and a pre-engagement questionnaire which will be shared by email. The deadline to submit is 11:59 p.m. on November 13, 2024. We intend to hold interviews on a rolling basis.The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel.No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Only applicants who include the required application components will be considered.Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.Panagora Group LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.
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