Project Coordinator

(DC Office)

Position Announcement

Meridian Institute is seeking a full-time Project Coordinator to contribute to Meridian’s mission to help people collaborate to solve complex problems, make informed decisions, and implement solutions that improve lives, the environment, and the economy.  The Project Coordinator is an integral part of project teams supporting logistics and coordination. This is a full-time, hourly position and non-exempt for overtime. Given COVID-19, Meridian staff have been working flexibly, balancing time between working in the office and working from home. This position is expected to work from Meridian’s Washington, DC office on a part-time basis and work remotely when not in the office. The Project Coordinator selected will begin work by November 15, or sooner.

About Meridian Institute

Meridian Institute is a mission-driven, non-profit organization that has helped our clients and partners develop and implement solutions to complicated, often controversial problems—big and small, global and local—for over two decades.

We do this with an innovative approach that brings together three elements: our deep understanding of the issues at hand, as well as the people, politics, and power dynamics that surround them; our dedicated, expert team; and our ability to foster constructive discussions, manage decisions, and support actions that shape the world for the better. We work not only to shape meaningful consensus and action in the near term, but also to build our partners’ capacity for cooperation that often continues for years, even decades.

We focus on five key services: collaboration, implementation, strategy, research, and philanthropic support. We bring our skills to bear on a diverse range of issues, including environment & natural resources, climate change, agriculture & food systems, forests, health, oceans & coasts, resilience, science & technology, water, and the application of “big data” and machine learning to solve societal challenges. Across issues, boundaries, and systems, our work is a catalyst for powerful impact.

Effective collaborative decision-making requires inclusion of different perspectives and involves bringing together participants with diverse backgrounds. As an organization, we seek staff that reflects and values that same diversity and has experience working in multicultural settings.

For more information about Meridian and specific projects, please visit https://merid.org/

About the Position

Meridian Project Coordinators work on multiple project teams focused on various topics with varying levels of support needs, in addition to providing general administrative support to the organization. Projects range from one-month efforts focused on facilitating a single meeting to multi-year projects where Meridian oversees the development, design, and implementation of an ongoing collaborative initiative. The Project Coordinator provides meeting support on a variety of platforms, both virtual and in-person. This position also provides meeting execution and support for Meridian’s DC office space. The role manages and maintains all project material and data, produces internal and external communications, and provides overall support to multiple teams and projects. The typical areas of responsibility include:

• Coordinate availability and schedule calls and meetings
• Manage and maintain project MS Teams sites and other technical tools decided by the team for effective collaboration and communication
• Manage and maintain contact data
• Provide meeting planning and support, both virtual and in-person
• Support DC in-office project meetings including but not limited to working with office building management and vendors and manage office meeting reservations and room setup, receive catering, support conference room technology, and provide overall hospitality to meeting stakeholders
• Coordinate electronic and verbal communication with participants and project teams
• Manage participant RSVPs for meetings, interviews, and other events

Click here to view the full position description.

At Meridian Institute, we believe that we must do all that we can to protect the safety, health, and wellbeing of employees, clients, guests, our communities, and others with whom we interact. That’s why all offers of employment in the U.S. where legally permitted are contingent on the candidate showing proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to pass the pre-employment requirements. In circumstances where an applicant communicates that they are not able to be vaccinated for COVID‑19 because of a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance or because of a disability, then Meridian, in accordance with applicable law, will engage in the interactive process to determine if a reasonable accommodation is feasible that will not pose an undue hardship or create a direct threat to safety.

Eligibility Requirements

A bachelor’s degree or similar degree program is desired, but not a requirement. Eligibility criteria include:

• Minimum 2 years in meeting planning or similar coordination expertise
• Full professional proficiency or higher in English. Professional fluency in a foreign language is also highly valued, specifically but not limited to Spanish
• Thorough technical knowledge and proficiency with Outlook, and Microsoft Office Suite programs (MS Teams) and working knowledge of Zoom
• Legally able to work in the United States without visa support/sponsorship

Characteristics

Required Characteristics—Successful applicants must have:

• Exceptional level of professionalism and service with all levels of stakeholders and staff
• Ability to handle multiple tasks at once, manage time effectively, and receive and balance direction from multiple Project Directors with special attention to details
• Passion for the issues and work that Meridian is involved in, ability and willingness to learn, and ability to work independently and be self-motivated
• Experience and enthusiasm for effectively working as part of a team. Ability to work with people from culturally diverse backgrounds
• Thorough technical knowledge with Microsoft O365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, OneNote, PowerPoint) and other commonly used computer programs and technology, such as Zoom, as well as the ability to learn and deploy new and evolving technologies and tools

Desired Characteristics- Preference will be given to candidates with the following characteristics:

• Experience with virtual collaboration tools, including Zoom, visual collaboration (e.g. Mural, Miro), and polling (e.g. Poll Everywhere)
• Online communications skills including experience with managing website content in WordPress, and facility with platforms such as MailChimp

Compensation and Benefits

The pay range for the Project Coordinator is $22.93 – $34.40 per hour ($47,700 – $71,560 per year). The position is an hourly, non-exempt position and eligible for overtime compensation. Most candidates will start in the bottom half of the range. Considerations will be made based on years of education and/or experience and comparison to other employees already in this role.

The selected candidate will receive a performance evaluation at 6 months and a performance and salary evaluation again after one year. Meridian offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance; employer contributions to a 401(k) plan; and vacation, sick, and holidays (alternative holidays available upon request and approval). In addition, a Project Coordinator will be issued a laptop and mobile phone in conjunction with employment. Washington, DC based staff are provided reimbursement of costs incurred by using public transit to commute to work.

How to Apply

Completed applications will be evaluated as received.

Required materials include:

1. Cover Letter – 1 page
   Drawing from your personal and professional experiences, please explain how you hope to contribute to Meridian as a Project Coordinator.
2. Resume – 1 page
   Detail relevant education, training, experiences, and accomplishments.

Submit the cover letter and resume here. Please direct any additional questions about the position to Jennifer Brassanini (jbrassanini@merid.org).

Equal Opportunity Employment

Meridian recognizes that our work is made stronger and more impactful by the contributions of diverse groups from around the world. At Meridian, we welcome people from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, national origin, creed, class, ancestry, or other grounds.

Meridian Institute is a participating employer in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program, E-Verify.