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Summer Resident Directors in Russia

American Councils - Washington, DC

American Councils is currently seeking qualified resident Directors to work in Russia on a variety of summer programs ranging from five to eight weeks in length. Individual programs are designed for high school students, undergraduate and graduate students, or graduate students and teachers. All programs are focused on the acquisition of Russian language and culture in an immersion setting.

ANTICIPATED EMPLOYMENT DATES: Early June - August 2012 (exact appointment dates will vary by program and site).

Resident Directors represent American Councils on programs overseas. The Resident Director will work with the host institution, managing communications between American Councils, program participants and local staff, arranging logistics for the group, advising participants as required and resolving medical and other issues as necessary.

Resident Directors must be available to program participants on a daily basis;
observe classes at the host institution;
meet regularly with teachers, administrators, and participants;
and arrange group travel and cultural programs.

Resident Directors must be available to participants during any emergencies that arise and must communicate regularly with the American Councils program staff in Washington, DC. Resident Directors oversee a small program budget, and are responsible for proper documentation of program expenditures and timely completion of a budget report at the end of each month and end of the program. Other reporting requirements may apply and will vary by program.

Prior to departure, all Resident Directors are required to complete an orientation program for staff. Resident Directors may be asked to travel with their respective participant groups at the beginning of their programs and return to Washington, DC with the group at the end of the program. In some cases, Resident Directors will be asked to travel to the program site in advance of the students’ arrival. Resident Directors report to the DC-based Program Manager and staff. Depending on program, employment is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. All offers are contingent upon ability to receive a Russian visa.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Advising program participants as needed;
• Reporting on program activities to program staff in Washington, D.C;
• Responding to participant emergencies, including assisting participants with navigating local clinics and hospitals;
• Liaising with the host institution and local program staff;
• Observing the academic program;
• Arranging group travel and cultural programs;
• Maintaining adherence to program rules and policies among participants—for some programs, this includes a no-English policy;
• Managing a small budget of program funds and maintaining detailed financial documentation, including monthly reports;
• Working with host families, which may include selection and monitoring of host families;
• Completing a pre-departure orientation and training session;
• Resolving other program-related issues as necessary;
• Performing other program-related tasks as directed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in language of host country or area studies or equivalent;
• Advanced written and oral language skills (minimum 2/2+ on ACTFL scale) in Russian;
• Study, work, or extensive travel experience in host country;
• Experience working in a position of authority with high school, undergraduate, or graduate students;
• Experience overseeing and guiding groups;
• Demonstrated skills in academic and personal counseling;
• Demonstrated skills in general financial accountability.

Positions contingent upon funding. Review of applications will begin on December 1, 2011.

TO APPLY:
Select this link and follow the prompts:
http://www.americancouncils.org /empDetail.php?emp_id=MzAy

Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.

American Councils improves education at home and abroad through the support of international research, the design of innovative programs, and the exchange of students, scholars, and professionals around the world. American Councils employs a full-time professional staff of over 370, located in the U.S. and in 40 cities in 24 countries of Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Asia and the Middle East.

Posted on October 24, 2011.