POSITION TITLE:                 Country Director, Gap Year Nicaragua

                                               Latin American Programs Department

HEADQUARTERS:               Managua, Nicaragua

TRAVEL:                               30-35%, primarily in Nicaragua and the U.S.

SALARY:                               Salary $28,000. Excellent benefits.

DEADLINE :                          Open until filled.

Amigos de las America is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Amigos de las Américas (AMIGOS) is an international, voluntary, not-for-profit organization established in 1965.  AMIGOS' mission is to inspire and build young leaders through collaborative community development and immersion in cross-cultural experiences.

POSITION SUMMARY:      

The Country Director position is directly responsible for coordinating the planning, implementation, and assessment of the Gap Year program run in conjunction with partner agencies in his/her work areas. S/he will also provide support for the summer programs run in his/her work area. S/he supervises and supports Gap Year program staff hired for year round and temporary positions, and serves as the primary liaison between the host country partner agencies and the AMIGOS International Office. S/he will also directly oversee the Gap Year program participants, including conducting frequent site visits. This position involves frequent periods of travel within the work area and travel to the International Office in Houston, TX.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required.  Academic background and graduate studies in international development, public or environmental health, or Latin American Studies are preferred.
• Fluency in written and spoken Spanish. 
• Recent experience overseeing personnel management, project development and implementation with an international service organization.
• Must be willing to relocate full time to Nicaragua, or already be residing there.
• Must be willing to travel frequently within work area, to travel to the International Office for trainings and meetings, and to work evenings and weekends for trainings, meetings and during travel.
• Extended vacation leave cannot be taken during the operation of Latin American Programs.
• Basic computer database, spreadsheets, and word processing proficiency.
• Relevant experience with other youth service organizations and/or initiatives is desired.
• A two year commitment to the position.

DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.  Effective speaker at meetings and in front of groups.
• Skills in negotiation and cross-cultural management.
• Ongoing involvement with AMIGOS programs, including project staff experience.
• Abilities in providing effective supervision, technical assistance, team leadership training, and support to young-adult managers in the development, implementation, and assessment of community service programs in Latin America.
• High energy level, organizational skills, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Ability to relate to a variety of people with ease and to elicit support.
• Adept at working within planning groups, including a sensitivity and commitment to effective group process.
• Creative approach to problem-solving and strong analytical skills.
• Ability to quickly assess situations and make sound decisions within cross-cultural environments.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversees and coordinates the Gap Year program, including the coordination of program planning, the providing of on-site and long-distance technical assistance to staff and participants, and the monitoring of political, economic, health and safety issues in the region.
• Supports the Regional Director in the design and implementation of new program opportunities, as needed.
• Manages budgets and documentation for Gap Year program within the designated region.
• Recruits, trains, supervises, and evaluates program staff.  Promotes their leadership development and ongoing involvement in AMIGOS.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with international health and development agencies.  (Promotes and maintains relationships with Latin American partners that are based on mutual respect, effective communication and collaboration, and shared visions of involving youth as actors in community development initiatives and cross cultural exchange.)
• Seeks and maintains partnerships with partner agencies for Latin American youth involvement in AMIGOS programs and initiatives.
• Identifies and pursues funding opportunities in Latin America and the United States.
• Works to build the network of supporters and friends of the AMIGOS organization in Latin America. Helps build the Latin America contacts database.
• Ensures and oversees the production of multimedia and photography about our programs in Latin America.
• Facilitates trainings to prepare Gap Year participants.
• Serves as a public ambassador for AMIGOS within Latin America.  Interacts frequently with host country officials, members of the AMIGOS Board of Directors, volunteers, community contacts, and the entire network of AMIGOS stakeholders. 

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

• Responsible to the Regional Director and Managing Director of Latin American Programs. 
• Supervises Gap Year program staff directly and Gap Year program participants.
• Interacts frequently with International Office staff (Volunteer Services, Communications and Development teams), Board members, partner agency contacts, International Trustees, professional organizations, and medical on-call team members.

Submit a resume and a cover letter highlighting qualifications to:

Mario Molina, CFO/VP Administration

Amigos de las Américas

5618 Star Lane. Houston, Texas 77057

jobs@amigoslink.org

For more information about AMIGOS visit our website: www.amigoslink.org AMIGOS