Deadline for applications: Ongoing
SUMMARY
Based in Washington, DC, the Director of Flagship Overseas Programs and NSEP Language Initiatives oversees a total of eight highly innovative, dynamic study abroad programs designed to develop global professionals possessing superior foreign language skills through intensive overseas study and cultural immersion. Serving more than 150 students annually, current programs are located in Almaty, Kazakhstan (Russian); Arusha, Tanzanian (Kiswahili); Baku, Azerbaijan (Turkish); Beijing and Nanjing, China (Mandarin); Dakar, Senegal (Wolof/French); Jaipour and Lucknow, India (Hindi Urdu); Maputo, Mozambique (Portuguese); and Meknes, Morocco (Arabic). Funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP) as part of three groundbreaking initiatives – The Flagship Language Program, the African Flagship Languages Initiative (AFLI), and the South Asian Flagship Languages Initiative (SAFLI) – these programs primarily serve U.S. students who have completed intensive language study in specially designated, domestic Flagship programs at key universities throughout the U.S. Often representing a fifth, capstone year of study, the overseas programs closely articulate with domestic U.S. programs in order to develop students with superior proficiencies in challenging, critically important foreign languages.
The Director develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure the quality of all eight overseas programs, to provide outstanding student support abroad, and to facilitate successful learning outcomes. He/she modifies existing programs and implements new Flagship programs and NSEP-funded initiatives in collaboration with American Councils senior staff, overseas university partners, directors of domestic Flagship programs, program funders, and expert consultants. The director leads a dedicated staff of managers, program officers, program associates, and resident directors to provide program oversight, implement policies and procedures to safeguard student health and safety, support and guide participants as they adjust to life and study overseas, coordinate highly competitive selection processes for nationally competed programs, develop and deliver comprehensive pre-departure orientation programs and materials, and collect data to accurately measure student language gains. He/she ensure effective communication and productive collaboration among a wide range of program stake-holders, including overseas host institutions, program funders, and domestic Flagship directors. The director develops program budgets and provides financial oversight for all Flagship programs and NSEP-funded initiatives. The position reports to the Managing Director of Higher Education Programs. Academic credit for the Overseas Flagship Programs is provided by Bryn Mawr College.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s Degree in relevant field and at least 5 years of progressively responsible managerial experience in study abroad, higher education administration, or a related area;
- Proven ability to supervise and develop professional staff and to lead a team to set goals and prioritize activities;
- Proven ability to collaborate with and build consensus among multiple stakeholders working together to administer complex programs;
- Comprehensive understanding of best practices and current issues in study abroad;
- Proven ability to oversee program finances and detailed budgets;
- Strong understanding of risk management and crisis communication in overseas programming;
- Outstanding written and oral communication skills;
- Outstanding organizational skills;
- Experience living and studying abroad highly preferred;
- Experience with programs or courses designed to teach U.S. students about languages and cultures preferred;
- Knowledge of testing methods to assess foreign-language gain preferred;
- Knowledge of language and culture of at least one target region preferred.
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