Position description

Recruitment & Affiliate Group Program Manager

Organization: National Peace Corps Association (NPCA)

Reports to: Associate Director of Operations 

Works Closely with: Membership Engagement Manager 

Location: Washington, D.C. - Hybrid - 2-3 days in office  

Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt

Travel: Approximately 15% of the time, primarily to support organizational events and regional program engagements

Salary: $60,000 per year

About NPCA

The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) is a global alumni network representing nearly 250,000 Americans who have served in the Peace Corps across 144 countries since 1961. NPCA has advocated at the national and state levels for a stronger, more effective Peace Corps since 1983. Through advocacy, networking and skills-building, publications, and a shared commitment to service, NPCA promotes peace, friendship, and volunteerism in partnership with the global Peace Corps community.

NPCA amplifies the voices and impact of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) nationwide and supports a growing network of more than 70,000 members and 150 affiliate groups with resources, an online alumni platform, and hands-on guidance. NPCA's mission is to raise the visibility of Peace Corps service and demonstrate the lasting domestic and international impact of RPCVs.

Position Summary

NPCA is seeking a Recruitment & Affiliate Group Program Manager to fill two connected roles in one position. Half of this role will design, launch, and manage a new pilot recruitment program built to grow the pipeline of Peace Corps applicants through a network of regional Affiliate Groups and RPCV Ambassadors. The other half will manage NPCA's broader Affiliate Group network,  serving as the primary staff point of contact for affiliate group communications, resources, and support. This is a unique opportunity for a relationship-driven program builder to shape a brand-new initiative while strengthening the network of partners who help bring it to life.

Key Responsibilities

Recruitment Program Management (50%)

Program Design & Setup

• Design program management systems and monitoring & evaluation tools to track progress and outcomes (with support from the Associate Director of Operations)
• Partner with the Peace Corps to design a recruitment training program for Affiliate Groups and Ambassadors
• Create Ambassador Program materials such as job descriptions, outreach strategy, and support tools

Partnership Development & Ambassador Recruitment

• Cultivate and manage the relationship with the three participating Affiliate Groups, serving as their primary point of contact throughout the pilot
• Conduct outreach to promote NPCA Ambassador opportunities and build a strong applicant pool
• In collaboration with the Affiliate Group partners, select and train six NPCA Ambassadors to represent NPCA and support recruitment efforts in their regions
• Train the three Affiliate Group partners on program goals, tools, and expectations

Content & Marketing to Support Recruitment

• In coordination with the communications team, develop content that promotes NPCA Ambassador and Peace Corps opportunities and attracts prospective applicants
• Collect video and written testimonials from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) to use in recruitment messaging
• In coordination with the communications team, create materials (social media content, flyers, talking points, etc.) that Affiliate Groups and Ambassadors can use in their local outreach
• Track which content and messaging approaches are most effective at generating applicant interest, using this to refine future materials
• Develop strategies for drawing potential applicants into Connect+ and design content and tools such as mentorship components within the platform for potential candidates to engage with RPCVs

Connect+ (Hivebrite) Platform Growth & Support

• Develop strategies for drawing potential applicants into Connect+
• Buildout existing tools within the platform to facilitate potential applicants’ engagement with RPCVs utilizing capabilities such as the mentorship suite

Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Launch, sustain, and manage recruitment activities across all three pilot regions throughout the program year
• Hold monthly meetings with recruitment clusters to review reports, discuss progress, and address challenges as they arise, fostering ongoing communication and collaboration across clusters
• Administer a quarterly progress survey to each NPCA Ambassador and Affiliate Group Partner to gather implementation feedback
• Work with recruitment clusters to adapt their approach based on lessons learned from quarterly survey feedback
• Prepare a quarterly progress report and meet with the Peace Corps to discuss results, including cumulative outputs across all three recruitment clusters and lead data
• Conduct a Q4 survey of leads to determine application submission status and intent
• Submit a mid-project progress report to organizational leadership
• Analyze findings at the close of the pilot and translate them into concrete recommendations for Years 2 and 3

Program Growth & Strategy

• Identify and present expansion opportunities for scaling the program into Years 2–3
• Provide reports, data, and other insights to aid in funding pursuits for continuation or the project
• Recommend and implement key adjustments to program design based on lessons learned during the pilot year
• Support annual scaling of recruitment activities as the program grows

Affiliate Group Management (50%)

Governance & Committee Partnership

• Define the the strategic direction and governance of the Affiliate Group network, working with the Affiliate Group Committee Chair (an NPCA Board member)
• Serve as the primary point of contact for NPCA's Affiliate Groups
• Lead the Affiliate Group annual meeting, consulting the Affiliate Group Chair

Communications & Engagement

• Work in coordination with the comms team to compile and distribute an Affiliate Group newsletter twice a month, keeping chapters informed and connected
• Coordinate training webinars for Affiliate Groups, conducted by NPCA staff, peer groups, or outside resources (with support from the Associate Director of Operations)
• In coordination with the Membership Engagement Program Manager, Coordinate Affiliate Group participation in NPCA's Annual Conference, including tabling and workshop opportunities 
• Coordinate inter-group events to facilitate relationship building between Affiliate Groups (with support from the Associate Director of Operations)
• Lead the process to identify and implement membership benefits for Affiliate Groups (with support from the Associate Director of Operations)
• Design and implement strategies to engage and support the diverse sub-groups within the Affiliate Group ecosystem; regional RPCV groups, internationally oriented country of service groups, and affinity groups
• Work regularly with the Membership Engagement Program Manager,to build and execute a strategy for promoting NPCA membership among Affiliate Group members
• Partner with the Membership Engagement Program Manager,to create pathways for NPCA members to connect with local Affiliate Groups, deepening their engagement with the broader RPCV network

Data & Systems Management

• Create and maintain processes to manage Affiliate Group contact information, governance documentation, and related records in Raiser's Edge (with support from the Associate Director of Operations)
• Conduct an annual survey of Affiliate Groups to assess needs, gather feedback, and inform program support (with support from the Associate Director of Operations)
• Lead reaffiliation process for groups

Connect+ (Hivebrite) Platform Growth & Support

• Design and implement a strategy to grow Affiliate Group usage of Connect+, NPCA's membership platform (powered by Hivebrite)
• Support Affiliate Groups in better utilizing Connect+ features to engage their members and communities
• Serve as a go-to resource for troubleshooting and platform questions from Affiliate Groups
• Track platform adoption and engagement metrics, using findings to refine the growth strategy over time

Other

• Other duties as assigned
• Recruit and supervise interns if assigned to this role
• To accommodate the schedules of our stakeholders, regular evening meetings and occasional weekend activities should be expected

Benefits and Perks

• Retirement: 5% employer match 
• Health Coverage: 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for employees with an HSA opportunity, plus 60% coverage for dependents. Dental and vision insurance plans available. 
• Time Off: Paid annual leave that accrues monthly and increases with length of employment, starting at 10 days (80 hours) per year and rising to 12 days after 1 year, 15 days after 2 years, and 20 days (160 hours) after 3+ years of service, plus paid sick leave, personal days, and federal holidays.
• Flexibility: Hybrid 9am-5pm work schedule that supports work-life balance. Free access to our building’s gym.

Qualifications

• Experience managing partnerships, chapters, or affiliate/member networks, ideally within a nonprofit or membership-based organization
• Experience designing, launching, or managing a new program, ideally within a nonprofit, membership, or volunteer-driven environment
• Strong relationship-building skills, with experience managing partnerships across multiple stakeholders, including with board members
• Comfort operating with significant autonomy in a pilot-stage, still-evolving program
• Experience with, or strong aptitude for, building monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including newsletter writing and webinar coordination
• Highly organized self-starter who is energized by ambiguity and building something new
• Demonstrated commitment to the organization’s mission
• Highly motivated, resourceful and creative, thriving on the opportunity to contribute to the Peace Corps community

Preferred Qualifications

• Social media content creation experience 
• Graphic design skills (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite)
• Experience with Mailchimp or other newsletter generation program 
• Familiarity with Raiser's Edge or similar CRM/database platforms
• Prior experience with Hivebrite or other alumni management platform 
• Returned Peace Corps Volunteer