Open position: Acting Country Representative

Acting Country Representative 

Temporary 12- to 24-month Position  

(Bucharest, Romania) 

American Councils for International Education is a premier, international non-profit organization creating educational opportunities that prepare individuals and institutions to succeed in an increasingly interconnected world. Through academic exchanges, overseas language immersion, and educational development programs, American Councils has designed and administered innovative programs that broaden individual perspectives, increase knowledge, and deepen understanding for more than 40 years across more than 70 countries.  

American Councils administers the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program, a scholarship opportunity funded by the U.S. Department of State. Now in its 27^th year globally and 5^th year in Romania, FLEX provides outstanding, competitively selected secondary school students with a life-changing opportunity to spend a year living with a U.S. host family and attending a U.S. high school, in addition to participating in a variety of activities to learn about U.S. culture and share their own. This position will be temporarily replacing the Country Representative, who will be on maternity leave. The Country Representative’s primary responsibility is the management of the FLEX program in Romania along with several Romania-based civic-education focused programs and administrative and financial oversight of the local office and organizational relations in the country. This position reports to the Regional Director and the Secondary School Programs’ Manager for Field Operations, and works in close coordination with Washington-based program managers and colleagues in the region. 

Program Responsibilities: 

• Coordinate and implement all components of the FLEX program cycle in Romania including participant recruitment activities (publicity, testing, interviews), orientation and travel, and on-program support; 
• Represent and promote the FLEX program in Romania and communicate accordingly with local education institutions, local and social media, U.S. Embassy, and other official institutions as needed; 
• Provide regular on-program support, which includes availing logistical, administrative, and practical support to participants and natural families;  
• Provide prompt updates on time-sensitive issues; report monthly on the progress/status of all participants in Romania to the Washington, DC office; and provide requisite reporting for quarterly reports to the Department of State; 
• Create and update FLEX recruitment, notification and other program materials in the local language; 
• Conduct informational meetings for program participants and their parents; 
• Travel extensively throughout Romania during recruitment and occasionally abroad for training conferences;  
• Manage implementation of local programs, report to the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest as requested and ensure financing for future editions of these programs; 
• Prepare program reports, both narrative and financial, in coordinator with office accountant and programs directors;  

Administration and Financial Duties:   

• Responsible for overall supervision of American Councils programs, local staff and infrastructure in Romania including academic, operational, and other policy matters that are affected by the region’s political, economic and cultural conditions and requirements of the host environment; 
• Responsible for office and program administration, ensuring correct interpretation and implementation of administrative rules and procedures of American Councils in the context of local laws; management of outgoing and incoming funds, procurement of goods and services, budgeting, financial reporting and analysis of program expenditures; 
• Represent American Councils and programs and activities in Romania; develop and maintain relationships with the U.S. Embassy, host government representatives, other local organizations and groups;  
• Communicate with Washington office and other field offices as needed related to program, financial, and administrative matters; manage staff visits; develop new programming and contributions to proposals; 
• Cultivate new development initiatives; and 
• Other duties as assigned. 

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: This position will be full time for a duration of at least 12-months, and potentially to 24 months during the maternity leave of the current Country Representative. The position will start February 3, 2020. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Must have authorization to work in Romania. Preference given to local nationals. 
• Minimum two years’ experience in exchange or youth program administration or position with similar duties 
• Demonstrated excellence in communication and multicultural interpersonal skills 
• Fluent in one or more local languages 
• Fluent in English and able to translate from local language into English 
• Experience traveling under difficult conditions 
• Familiarity with the education system in Romania and the United States 
• Flexibility to occasionally work on weekends and evenings 
• Experience in budget management and excellent attention to detail 
• Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in a relevant field of study 
• Outstanding time management, organization and planning skills 
• Preference given to candidates who have studied in the United States or have any type of US experience 
• Additional international experience is an asset 

To Apply: Please send a resume (CV) and a cover letter describing why you would be a great fit for this position; the cover letter should also include (i) salary expectations and (ii) one professional reference contact information. Both documents should be in English and be emailed to bucharest@americancouncils.eu no later than January 5, 2020.