Vacancy Announcement
The United States Peace Corps program in Timor-Leste seeks a qualified and motivated candidate for the following short-term position (approximately 120-135 working days; starting in May):
Pre-Service Training (PST) Site Coordinator
The United Peace Corps is a non-political, non-religious organization. The Peace Corps is an agency of the United States Government and was founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961. General information about Peace Corps can be found on www.peacecorps.gov.
The Site Coordinator (SC) is responsible for coordinating the identification, interviewing and recommending for selection development of Trainee and Language and Cultural Facilitators (LCFs) homestays in the training site where the Peace Corps Trainees and LCFs will reside for the duration of the Pre-Service Training. This will include visits to the communities, holding community meetings, visiting the homes and interviewing the family members, and preparation of an orientation session with the families. S/he will provide ongoing support and cross-cultural feedback to both host families and Trainees/LCFs. The Site Coordinator will be the primary liaison between the hub site training staff and school officials, health center and other community resources in the training site.
The Site Coordinator works closely and collaboratively with the Training Manager (TM) and the Homestay Coordinator (HSC) to ensure that community sensitivities are respected and issues resolved in a manner that retains good relationship between the Peace Corps and the community.
This is a contracted position and requires living and working fulltime at the central PST training site, with frequent travel to training clusters and/or Dili. The SC will be required to follow a six-day work week, with additional preparation time and activities in the evening, and on some weekends and holidays.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Coordinate host family recruitment strategy with the HSC and Training Manager.
Collaborate with the LCC, TM and other PST staff in the final preparation of the training design and Calendar of Training Events (COTE). Schedule and plan both formal classroom sessions on homestay topics, as well as activities to be conducted in training clusters and on excursions.
Conduct interview visits to all potential host families. Select final host families (with several alternates). Compose and prepare host family agreements and other necessary documents.
Provides local community leaders and potential host families with information on the Peace Corps program in Timor-Leste, CBT training design, the selection process for homestay families, and their specific roles and responsibilities. Coordinates with HSC to develop brief homestay booklets for host families and trainees.
Works with HSC, TM and other PC staff to design and implement homestay orientation programs for host families and trainees.
Maintains regular contact with Trainees and host families, including visits and providing support and assistance throughout the program to both host families and Volunteers as needed.
Maintain a professional and positive public image with the training staff, Trainees and the local community.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communication, education, or other relevant field preferred
Professional Work Experience:
Required: Demonstrated experience in multi-cultural environment.
Preferred (for full consideration): Cross-cultural training experience with an international organization; strong facilitation skills; able to design and conduct dynamic cross-cultural sessions; experience designing and implementing homestay programs.
Skills needed:
Required:
- Knowledge of diverse customs and practices in various regions of Timor-Leste and the ability to communicate these to Americans
- Ability to work within a cross-cultural team which includes American and Timorese Staff
- Required strong English and fluency in Tetun; able to communicate in written English
- Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational/time management skills
- Proactive attitude and flexibility
- Personal skills: flexible, adaptable, reliable, sense of humor, sensitivity to gender and diversity issues
- Ability and willingness to follow directions and training from supervisors
- Polite manners, professionalism and sense of discretion under all circumstances
Preferred (for full consideration):
- Prior experience working with Americans and/or experience living abroad
- Excellent facilitation and presentation skills; comfortable leading sessions for big groups
- Strong computer, communication, and organizational skills
Salary:
This position is paid on a daily rate for days worked only, within a range of $22.00-$30.00 per day, depending on experience and salary history, with a not-to-exceed total period of performance of 135 days (very possibly fewer). Housing and a modest per diem will be provided at the training site during the Pre-Service Training period (mid-August through mid-October). No other benefits are provided.
Important! For consideration, all applicants must submit a Resume (CV) of NO MORE THAN 4 PAGES, together with a Cover Letter describing in detail how their education and experience fulfills all the listed qualifications of the position; please do NOT send any additional attachments. In the subject of the email write, “YourName_SiteCoordinator.” Make sure both your name and “SiteCoordinator” are in the subject line. For example, if your name is Mickey Mouse, the subject of your email should be “MickeyMouse_SiteCoordinator.” Both Cover Letter and Resume (CV) must be type written in English, saved as a Word or PDF file and emailed to: [email protected]. Email subject line should state: YourName_SiteCoordinator.
Closing date: Applications should be received 8:00am Monday April 10, 2017 for consideration in the first review. Position remains open until filled. No phone calls or personal visits related to this vacancy will be accepted. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The Peace Corps is an equal opportunity employer.(***)
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