MERC Senior Program Manager

Job overview

The MERC Senior Program Manager role is onsite in Washington, DC, with compensation of $143,000–$160,000 per year. Credence supports the U.S. Department of State's Humanitarian Assistance Support Contract, including coordination of humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and foreign assistance efforts. The manager leads the Middle East Regional Cooperation Program portfolio, overseeing staff, strategic planning, research-grant review, outreach, monitoring, and reporting. The role helps advance collaborative research and partnerships addressing shared regional challenges while supporting U.S. technological, economic, and strategic interests.

What you'll do

• Lead technical and administrative staff
• organize proposal reviews and facilitate the MERC Committee
• oversee program activities, site visits, monitoring, and evaluation
• identify implementation mechanisms and public- and private-sector partnerships
• assess barriers to technology adoption
• promote research best practices, ethical conduct, regulatory compliance, and intellectual-property management
• develop complex technical work products
• communicate research outcomes to nontechnical audiences and stakeholders
• advise grants staff and government partners on science and technology cooperation.

What we're looking for

Skills & competencies

merc senior program manager

washington dc

credence

full-time

onsite

foreign assistance

research grants

program leadership

science and technology

humanitarian assistance

secret clearance

$143k-$160k/year

Work arrangement

• Weekend coverage required

Benefits & perks

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• retirement plan
• life insurance
• paid vacation, sick time, and public holidays
• family leave
• short- and long-term disability
• training and development
• wellness resources.

Why this role

Requires a PhD in natural sciences or engineering and at least five years of post-graduate foreign-assistance experience. U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain and maintain a Secret clearance are required; an active Secret clearance is preferred. Application closing date is November 9, 2026.

About the employer

Credence is hiring for this role. Industry: Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. Sector: 54.