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 total 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 ROF 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.
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.
Application and More Information.