SUMMARY:
American Councils is currently seeking a qualified Resident Director to work in Shanghai, China on the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. NSLI-Y is part of a multi-agency federal initiative to increase U.S. citizens’ capacity to engage with people from around the world who speak selected critical languages. NSLI-Y is administered through a cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State and the American Councils for International Education. NSLI-Y provides language scholarships to American high school students between the ages of 15 and 18 to study Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Korean, Persian (Tajiki), Russian, and Turkish overseas for a summer or an academic year. More information can be found at www.nsliforyouth.org.
The Resident Director will work on the NSLI-Y academic year program implemented by American Councils in Shanghai, China. The Resident Director will transfer to another city in China to work on the NSLI-Y summer program.
ANTICIPATED EMPLOYMENT DATES: Mid-August 2014 – mid-August 2015 (exact appointment dates to be determined at a later date). Resident Director training dates will be announced separately.
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 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 and other events and activities focused on the immersion experience. 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.
Prior to departure, all Resident Directors are required to complete an orientation program for staff. Resident Directors will 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. Resident Directors report to the DC-based Program Manager. Completion of a successful background check is required. All offers are contingent upon ability to receive and maintain a Chinese visa.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Being responsible for and available to a group of American high-school students at all times during the program;
· Advising program participants as needed on a variety of language learning, cultural, adjustment and logistical issues;
· Responding to participant medical emergencies, including assisting participants in securing medical care;
· Completing all reporting requirements, as outlined in the Resident Director Manual, including site visit reports, narrative reports, e-mail and phone communication, and financial reports;
· Communicate regularly with American Councils, reporting any problems regarding participants’ health, academic performance, or behavior, and providing general group/program updates;
· Serving as a liaison between American Councils and the host institution to ensure that the implementation of the NSLI-Y program proceeds as agreed, and working with the Program Manager to develop effective program implementation processes at the host institution;
· Working closely with teachers on student academic progress, observing classes, coordinating performance evaluation, and providing coordination on program language testing;
· Providing opportunities for students to maximize their language gain and immersion process;
· Arranging group travel and cultural programs, as well as volunteer opportunities and other program events;
· Maintaining adherence to program rules and policies among participants;
· Managing a small budget of program funds and providing proper documentation of program expenditures and completing a budget report at the end of each month and end of the program;
· Organizing and implementing program events, including arrival and re-entry workshops for participants, weekly group meetings, and other events, as necessary;
· Coordinating student housing, including recruiting and selecting host families, host family monitoring, building and maintaining a network of host families, and resolving conflict; and
· Other duties, as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
· Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chinese, area studies or a related field;
· Advanced written and oral language skills (minimum 2/2+ on ACTFL scale) in Chinese;
· Study, work, or travel experience in China;
· Experience working in a position of authority with high school, undergraduate, or graduate students;
· Experience overseeing and guiding groups;
· Demonstrated skills in general financial accountability.
Review of applications will begin immediately.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – American Councils for International Educations does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
