The Program Director is responsible for the maintenance and development of strategic support to local partner organizations, and high quality, value-added support to FSD Interns in their communities. The basic
responsibilities of the Program Director include the overall fiscal and programmatic management of the FSD program in their community.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
A. Project Development and Management (approx. 25% of the time)
• Initiate and maintain communication with sponsoring organizations and institutions working in the field of community-based, locally-oriented, sustainable development .
• Maintain effective communication with the relevant ministries, local institutions and Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
• Prepare host organizations for placement of an intern ensuring that the host organization is aware of and motivated to implement our expectations for the internship.
• Prepare host families for placement of an intern ensuring that the host family is ready to host the intern and is aware of food, culture and other issues necessary for a smooth home-stay.
• Work with host organizations to develop rewarding internship opportunities for both the intern and the host organization.
• Define the scope and objectives of intern project opportunities in collaboration with each partner organization.
• Monitor and evaluate volunteer projects to ensure satisfactory progress and results.
• Maintain required documentation including but not limited to regular reports, host organization and family reports and host organization applications.
B. Intern and Local Partner Training (approx. 20% of the time)
• Responsible for development, implementation and evaluation of orientation and training sessions and materials for volunteers and local partners [host families and host organizations].
• Evaluate the qualifications of each intern, and work to adapt approaches to increase their learning and professional capabilities.
• Create workshops, trainings and other approaches to developing the skills and abilities of our host supervisors
• Develop, conduct and evaluate in-service training workshops and follow-up activities
C. Safety and Security (approx. 5% of the time)
• Establish relationships and systems that increase the safety and security of FSD staff and interns.
• Ensure that each intern has mastered the required safety competencies before they go to their home-stay.
• Be aware of and address any behavior or actions of the interns or staff that compromises their safety or welfare.
• Develop and distribute safety standards to the host organizations and host families to ensure they have awareness of FSD safety protocol.
D. Program Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (approximately 10% of the time)
• Develop strategic plan for achieving FSD objectives in community.
• Evaluate and make recommendations regarding performance of program, local partners, staff, and volunteers.
• Provide regular reports in a timely manner. These include Monday reports, final program evaluations and quarterly reports.
• Create and refine monitoring and evaluation documents, tools & reports.
E. Intern Support (approximately 20% of the time)
• Travel regularly and extensively throughout the program area to establish and maintain working relationships with host organizations and host families, and visit Interns at their sites.
• Facilitate meetings between the Intern and the host organization supervisor to define project objectives and scope, address issues, and monitor and evaluate performance.
• Assist Interns to improve their job performance, social and cultural adaptation, through the provision of technical support, cultural insights, and direction to relevant and available resources. Identify, maintain and distribute, as appropriate, relevant educational information and materials to Interns.
• Assess and address issues of miscommunication, frustration and stagnation between host agencies and interns in order to facilitate the progress towards the successful completion of program plans and mutual satisfaction of the intern and host agency.
• Support Interns with personal and cultural counseling and guidance on FSD policies and procedures.
• Adapt Intern placements, but only after following the appropriate protocol from headquarters, as needed to ensure a mutually comfortable and beneficial placement for the host and Intern.
F. Financial Management (approximately 10% of the time)
• Understand and manage the program budget.
• Provide management reports and financial reconciliations to the Executive Director in a timely manner.
• Ensure the appropriate monitoring of funds distributed to host organizations, grant projects and other fiscal projects.
• Ensure the proper and accurate documentation of expenditures for all program related expenses.
G. Other Duties and Activities (not to exceed 10% of the time)
• Supervise and coordinate the activities of the Program Coordinator(s).
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the International Program Officer and Executive Director.
• Provide relevant feedback to the San Francisco staff on how programs and systems of communication can be more effectively carried out.
Expected Outcomes:
• FSD Interns have clear assignments and feel productive in the community.
• Site arrangements (housing & work) are made before the Intern gets to site and are thoroughly prepared to host the Intern.
• Trainings are designed based on Intern needs and to prepare for the reality of their internship.
• Project goals and objective reflect the needs and priorities of the host organization and local communities, as well as the scope of Interns’ activities, are shared with Interns & host partners and serve as guide and reference in their projects.
• Safety issues are dealt with on a priority basis.
• The Program Director initiates, supports and encourages innovative practices.
• Community support is created such that our partners provide input and support for the project activities and initiatives in the field.
• New organizations are interested in hosting FSD interns at their agency and understand the philosophy and objectives that drive FSD’s work.
Supervision & Guidance
The Program Director reports directly to the Executive Director. The Program Director is supported by the Program Coordinator(s) and works directly with them to determine a full distribution of responsibilities. The Program Director performs the majority of designated job functions with general independence. Performance evaluation is based upon successfully meeting the criteria and objectives established in the performance plan. Evaluation of the position will be provided on a bi-annual basis.
Desired Qualifications
• Must be an Argentine National in order to apply.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in organizational development , social studies, economics, public administration, or related field. OR: Prior Work Experience: At least three years experience in public administration, NGO development, community or organizational development , experience in an environmental education , natural resource management or similarly related field. Positions held should reflect responsibility in program development and administration.
• Post-entry Training: On the job training focused on understanding FSD’s philosophy, regulations, and procedures. Provided through joint work with the Program Coordinators, written materials and trainings provided by FSD.
• Language Proficiency: Advanced spoken and written skills in both English and Spanish.
• Skills and Abilities: Ability to represent FSD effectively with a wide range of individuals: i.e., local officials and community members, different levels of government officials, international agency personnel, etc. Ability to conceptualize new or improved project possibilities and delineate essential elements needed to indicate program success (i.e. project goals, implementation plans, supervisor and co-worker effectiveness, material availability.) Program vision & creativity; Ability to guide FSD intern job performance. Counseling ability in Cross-Cultural and performance evaluation situations. Organizational and administrative skills. Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgment under normal as well as complex and stressful conditions.
Compensation: $600-$1400 per month based on experience and previous salary history
How to apply:
To apply, submit your resume and cover letter as attachments to an email to jobs@fsdinternational.org ; indicate the position title and location in the subject line of your email. Submissions that do not follow these instructions will not be considered. Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted – no phone calls please. Positions are open until filled
Closing Date: Saturday, 31 March 2012
