Posted on October 25, 2012

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Ecuador Country Director

Global Citizen Year (www.globalcitizenyear.org) sees the transition to college as an extraordinary—and largely untapped—opportunity to unleash the potential of a new generation of global leaders.

To harness this opportunity, we recruit and train a diverse corps of high-potential graduating seniors and support them through a bridge year of service learning and leadership training in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Through world-class training and individual apprenticeships, our Fellows develop skills and perspectives that prepare them for success in college, careers, and a global economy. By nurturing a dynamic network of alumni over time, Global Citizen Year will build a pipeline of new American leaders who drive solutions to 21st century challenges.

Our organization combines the best of private and public sector management to create a high-impact, growth-oriented social enterprise. Since our launch in 2009, we have built significant momentum among top investors ($4M raised), prominent media (New York Times, Associated Press, Huffington Post) and reputable partners (leading NGO’s, colleges and companies). We attract and retain top talent in the field by providing competitive compensation and exceptional opportunities for personal and professional development.

Current scale & growth trajectory

As of Fall 2012, we have completed three years of small-scale pilots and are poised for rapid and significant growth. In the next five years, we aim to have 1,000 Fellows successfully complete our program.

Ultimately, we envision a world in which a global bridge year is the norm, rather than the exception. We work toward this vision through a two-pronged strategy: (1) developing a high-quality and scalable program that targets emerging leaders from diverse backgrounds and (2) influencing college admissions and national policy to catalyze a national shift in how young people transition to college.

Values

Our core values are at the heart of everything we do, and we look for individuals who share our commitment to the following:

• People: We hold people’s dignity and well-being at the heart of our words and actions, and strive to build a high-performance and humane organization based on trust, respect for difference, and individual responsibility.

• Potential: We believe that all people have the capacity to learn, grow and thrive and we are optimistic that through innovation, and collaboration across sectors we can create a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous world.

• Impact: We go above and beyond to expand the number of beneficiaries we serve, and we prioritize getting things done efficiently, while making a tangible and measurable difference to our Fellows, our communities at home, and our communities abroad.

POSITION SUMMARY

Global Citizen Year is setting the industry standard in providing a high-quality, transformative “bridge year” experience for a diverse corps of emerging leaders. In Ecuador, our current program (2012 – 2013) supports nearly 50 Fellows in 4 regions (Imbabura, Napo, Chimborazo, and Northwest Pichincha), and we are positioned for continued growth in the coming years. Global Citizen Year seeks an entrepreneurial and experienced professional to strengthen our presence in Ecuador, by expanding our in-country program, team, and network. As the leader of Global Citizen Year’s Ecuador Team, the Ecuador Country Director will be accountable for all aspects of managing the in-country program to guarantee a safe and consistently high quality experience for our Fellows, and a valuable exchange for our local partners.

We are seeking a resourceful and seasoned international development and/or education professional to lead our program and operations in Ecuador. S/he will bring a broad, cross-sector network, experience working/living across Ecuadorian and American cultures, and a successful track record building and managing high performing teams, overseeing complex operations, and implementing programs.

Reporting to the Vice President of Programs, the Ecuador Country Director will initially oversee a team of 5 Team Leaders. Additionally s/he will work closely with our in-country operational partner, the Experiment in International Living (EIL-Ecuador), to ensure the operational integrity of the Program in accordance with Ecuadorian laws and standards. Additionally s/he will collaborate closely with other Country Directors (currently Brazil and Senegal and eventually India and China) to accelerate organizational learning and growth.

The Global Citizen Year Program is based on a 12-month cycle, beginning July 1. Therefore, the in-coming Ecuador Country Director will join the Program mid-cycle, with the current 2012-2013 cohort of Fellows already in Ecuador.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The Ecuador Program Director will be responsible for the following processes:

Deliver an exceptional program experience for all stakeholders. Manage local team (staff and partners) to implement programming in accordance with Global Citizen Year frameworks and methodology, including:

• Supervising and training Team Leaders to carry out formal trainings (one 5-week In-Country Orientation in September, three bi-monthly Training Seminars between October and March, and one 1-week In-Country Re-entry Training in April), ongoing site-visits and coaching to help Fellows reach learning objectives, and to promote positive cohort dynamics.
• Support U.S.-based Fellow training (Re-Entry Training in April and Fall Training in August each year).

During May-August, oversee program set-up prior to arrival of Fellows in-country at the end of August:

• Select and train apprenticeship supervisors, homestay families, and community advisors.
• Define apprenticeship activities and goals together with host organizations.
• Develop, formalize, and monitor adherence to MOUs with all local partners.
• Lead apprenticeship and homestay matching process for the Fellow cohort.

Administer ongoing program evaluations using (and adapting, as needed) Global Citizen Year’s framework and tools.

1. Build and lead a high-performing, local team.

• Lead all local hiring processes to recruit and retain top talent for in-country posts.
• Define roles, evaluate performance, guide learning and promote a strong team dynamic among Ecuador country team.
• Facilitate in-country on-boarding processes based on Global Citizen Year priorities and frameworks and develop new processes, as necessary.

2. Oversee efficient local operations.

• Manage all administrative functions related to the Ecuador program (budgets, administration, legal compliance, emergency plans).
• Develop and manage the annual country budget in alignment with organizational objectives and processes.
• Monitor and analyze local risks for safety and security and keep Fellows and staff informed.
• Manage in-country Emergency Response Protocol coordinating team and partners in a 24/7 “on-call” rotation, and leading the local response in any emergency involving Fellows or staff.

3. Spearhead partnerships and strategy for sustainable growth in Ecuador.

• Develop and implement Global Citizen Year’s growth strategy in Ecuador.
• Build and manage a network of in-country relationships with collaborative organizations with the aim of growing to maximum “scale”.
• Support research on operational and legal needs to compliance and sustainability.

4. Leadership on organization-wide initiatives.

• Act as primary liaison between the Ecuador program and the US home office in Oakland, CA.
• Translate organization-wide initiatives into effective local programming.
• Collaborate with other members of the global Program Team to foster organizational learning.
• Oversee country team’s media production efforts (video, blog, photography).
• Support annual Fellow selection (application reviews, interviews) and country placement decisions.
• Represent Global Citizen Year as appropriate through local networks and forums.
• Support or lead additional organizational work streams as needed.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate will have 5-10 years of cross-sector management experience with domain expertise in international development (Peace Corps or NGO work is ideal) and 3+ years living in Ecuador.

Additionally he/she must be:

Well connected and capable of building a high level, professional network.

Fluent in the languages (Spanish and English), customs and culture of both Ecuador and the U.S.

A U.S. national, or an Ecuadorian national who has lived/worked/studied in the US for 2+ years.

Strong candidates will have a successful track record in each of the following areas:

Designing and managing programs: Strategic-thinker and long-term planner who can visualize what a program/operation will look like at scale, and can garner and manage the resources needed to get there. This includes building a team, managing a budget, and administering program operations.

Forging and maintaining sustainable partnerships: Excels at building strong relationships and is able to forge and maintain alliances across cultural, social, and institutional lines with local and international partners.

Working in international exchange: Direct experience leading exchange programs preferably in a developing country context.

Successful candidates will also possess the following skills and qualities:

Mission-driven: Demonstrated commitment to the mission and vision of Global Citizen Year.

Analytical project manager and skilled financial manager: Ability to analyze information effectively to stay on top of multiple projects, plan backwards and anticipate obstacles, identify and involve stakeholders appropriately, and confidently use financial information for decision-making – realizing goals efficiently and creatively.

Resourceful self-starter: Displays an entrepreneurial spirit and thrives in a fast-pace, start-up environment; is comfortable with ambiguity, rapid change and able to troubleshoot independently while continually building capacity and improving processes.

Exceptional people-manager: Personable professional who is culturally sensitive and has experience building and leading diverse teams, empowering team-members, and driving toward results and accountability.

Adventurous and active: Comfortable traveling on public transportation and staying in modest settings, enjoys adventures and physical, outdoor activities.

The following are a plus:

Familiarity with American teens: Experience and skill working with American adolescents (ideally 17-19 year age group).

Education: Advanced degree in international development, public administration, education and/or business administration.

POSITION DETAILS

Compensation: Competitive salary (commensurate with experience) and comprehensive benefits package.

Location: Quito, Ecuador.

Start date: December 15th (or no later than January 5th, i.e. for the Fellows’ Mid Term Retreat).

Application Instructions

APPLICATION DETAILS 


To apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter on our website. In your cover letter, please indicate how you learned of the opening and provide 3 professional references (including direct supervisors and direct reports), your salary requirement and the date you would be available to begin fulltime work in Quito.

Deadline: Applications received by November 4th will receive preferential review. The review will continue until the position is filled.

Global Citizen Year is an equal opportunity employer, and we strive for our staff to reflect the diverse community we serve. Applicants who contribute to this diversity are strongly encouraged to apply.