Program Manager, Russian and Turkish Flagship Programs

SUMMARY:
The Program Manager administers two overseas language programs funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP) and delivered by American Councils for International Education in close collaboration with the Institute of International Education (IIE).

The American Councils Capstone Russian Overseas Flagship Program (ROF) is an academic-year program (10 months) based in Almaty, Kazakhstan. It is designed to train superior speakers of Russian through intensive overseas study and practical, professional experience. Hosted by the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in Almaty, the program provides intensive, yearlong language instruction, internships, cultural activities, host families, and structured opportunities for students to maximize their immersion in the host country culture. An American Councils resident director provides direct on-site support to participants throughout their studies in Almaty.

The Turkish Flagship Language Initiative (TURFLI) Program provides opportunities for intensive overseas language study and cultural immersion for students with varied proficiencies in Turkish. A one-semester (fall) program, TURFLI is located in Baku, Azerbaijan and hosted by the Azerbaijani University of World Languages. The program is conducted in collaboration with the University of Wisconsin, Madison (UWM), where students begin their studies during the UWM’s intensive summer language institute immediately before traveling to Baku. An American Councils resident director provides direct on-site support to students throughout their studies in Azerbaijan.

The Program Manager is responsible for both programs’ daily administration, overall quality, direction, and financial oversight. He/she supervises staff abroad and, in the U.S., to support approximately 25 to 40 program participants each academic year. He/she will devote roughly 87 percent of their effort to administer the ROF and the remainder to administer the TURFLI.

The Program Manager ensures the provision of outstanding student support abroad, including 24-hour emergency response; oversees student travel, housing, cultural activities, and academic programming (in consultation with the senior academic advisor for Russian and the academic advisor for TURFLI); responds to student concerns; and collaborates with American Councils senior staff, institutional partners, and funders to maximize learning outcomes. The Program Manager reports to the American Councils Director of Flagship Overseas Programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversees daily operations of the Russian Overseas Flagship (ROF) and TURFLI programs;

Develops program policies and protocols in consultation with Flagship director to ensure outstanding overseas student support and overall program quality;

Works with academic directors, resident directors, overseas staff, and domestic partners to ensure programs’ academic excellence, to facilitate adjustments to curricula, and to address students’ academic and programmatic concerns;

Works with academic directors, local faculty, and domestic partners to ensure the development and delivery of high-quality teaching materials and training programs for faculty;

Works with the resident director and overseas staff to ensure quality internship placements (ROF);

In consultation with the Flagship Director, plans and conducts resident director trainings to ensure onsite staff are fully prepared to provide comprehensive student support, administer American Councils policies, provide appropriate emergency response, and meet the standards of best practice in study abroad;

Reviews weekly student reports and assists resident director in responding effectively to student concerns;

In consultation with Flagship Director, communicates regularly and coordinates closely with institutional partners and granting agencies, including the Institute of International Education (IIE), NSEP, the University of Wisconsin-Madison (TURFLI), and others;

Maintains close collaboration and advising with American Councils domestic Russian Flagship partners;

Supervises one employee in the U.S, a resident director in Almaty, a resident director in Baku, and contractual instructors overseas;

Maintains regular (daily) communication with resident directors in the field to monitor program issues and events;

Recruits and trains additional staff as needed;

Oversees content development, scheduling, travel, and coordination of pre-departure orientations to ensure students are prepared for the academic, cultural, and emotional challenges of yearlong, intensive overseas study;

Ensures comprehensive and effective logistical support for staff and participants overseas;

Writes and edits reports, proposals, student handbooks, and promotional materials;

Works with Flagship director to develop program budgets; oversees program finances;

Coordinates bi-annual meetings of the Russian Overseas Flagship Academic Council and annual summits of the Flagship Language Initiative partners;

Carries out other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

Professional experience in administration of overseas programs based in Kazakhstan, Russia, or other former Soviet states;

Bachelor’s degree in Russian language or a field related to relevant regional studies; MA strongly preferred;

Ability to speak, read and write Russian at an intermediate to advanced level;

Comprehensive, demonstrated understanding of best practices in study abroad;

Demonstrated understanding of cultural nuances necessary to work effectively with overseas partners in Kazakhstan;

Ability to lead staff in setting goals, prioritizing tasks, and developing efficient administrative practices;

Ability to develop program policies to ensure academic integrity and student safety;

Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and develop consensus among diverse groups of stakeholders;

Excellent written and oral communication skills;

Outstanding organizational and management skills;

Knowledge of budgetary procedures, preferably with regard to government grants;

Experience living and studying in Russia, Kazakhstan or former Soviet states;

Basic knowledge of second-language pedagogy;

Ability to speak Turkish or Azerbaijani, knowledge of Turkish culture, and experience traveling in Turkey or Azerbaijan desirable.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.