FLSA STATUS: Exempt

SUMMARY:

Funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), the Regional Flagship Language Initiatives provide intensive, immersion-based language instruction to graduate and undergraduate students who have been awarded Boren fellowships and wish to study Hindi, Indonesian, Thai, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Each program begins with an intensive, eight-week summer session conducted at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, followed by a fifteen-week overseas semester, administered by American Councils in collaboration its international partners and UWM. The overseas locations and partners are:

Hindi: The American Institute of Indian Studies; Jaipur, India

Indonesian: Malang University; Malang, Indonesia

Thai: Chiang Mai University; Chaing Mai, Thailand

Turkish: Azerbaijan University of Languages; Baku, Azerbaijan

Vietnamese: University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS), Vietnam National University; Ha Noi, Vietnam

Enrollments in each overseas program range from 6 to 15. Each program provides 20 hours per week of intensive language instruction, weekly cultural activities, service learning, and language tutoring. Students live with host families vetted by American Councils and its overseas partners. A full time U.S. Resident Director (RD) serves as American Councils' chief representative on site and provides ongoing support to students, including 24-emergency aid, for the duration of the program.

The Program Officer plays a critical role in the successful day-to-day operation of the RFLI programs. The Program officer is responsible for preparing program materials and information, including websites, acceptance materials, student handbooks, "Day-in-the-Life" seminars for prospective students, and pre-departure orientations. The Program Officer arranges student travel, visa applications, and insurance enrollments. The Program Officer helps to facilitate collaboration between faculty at overseas partners and UWM in order to maximize program articulation. The Program Officer communicates extensively with individual program participants to address questions; assist with program arrangements; and ensure completion of requisite documents, including medical forms and waivers. The Program Officer helps to arrange, schedule, and proctor language testing for all RFLI program participants at the start and conclusion of their programs. The Program Officer provides key support to each Resident Director in the field, assisting with financial reports, cash flow, and supplies. In collaboration with UWM, the Program Officer plans and schedules key activities and events for the department, including Pre-Departure Orientation, Day-in-the-Life Seminars, and RD trainings. The Program Officer assists in tracking program finances, developing program budgets, and compiling and writing program reports and proposals. The Program Officer assists in the recruitment and hire of RFLI Resident Directors.

The position reports to the RFLI Program Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, schedule, prepare, and help conduct key program events and activities, including RD training, Pre-Departure Orientation, and Day-in-the-Life Seminars (in collaboration with UWM);
• Prepare student acceptance packets, handbooks, and program forms;
• Develop comprehensive informational materials and update program websites;
• Respond to phone and email inquiries from students, parents, and stakeholders;
• Track and process student acceptance materials, including host family request forms;
• Arrange travel, visa applications, insurance, and STEP enrollment for all RFLI students;
• Maintain ongoing communication with UWM to coordinate the transition from summer to overseas fall programming;
• Facilitate communication between UWM and overseas faculty (including zoom visits to classrooms);
• Assist in scheduling and proctoring language assessment exams for all participants at the start and conclusion of their programs;
• Help schedule and provide logistical support for site visits;
• Make travel arrangements and prepare cash advances, contracts, and supplies for Resident Directors; provide ongoing logistical support to RDs in the field throughout the fall semester;
• Arrange travel, housing, per diems, insurance, and vis support for overseas partners traveling to the U.S. for annual summit with UWM and IIE;
• Process invoices, check requests, and payments; track program expenses; assist in compilation of financial reports;
• Administer and compile program evaluations and arrange to share data with UWM;
• Assist in drafting of grant proposals and program reports;
• Assist in the recruitment and hiring of RFLI Resident Directors;
• Other duties as assigned.

• BA (MA preferred) in the history, culture and/or languages of Asia, Southeast Asia, Turkey, or the South Caucasus;
• Experience studying or working in South Asia or Southeast Asia;
• At least one year of professional experience working with overseas programs for U.S. students;
• Demonstrated effective planning and organizational skills;
• Demonstrated close attention to detail and ability to manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a fast-paced, busy office;
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills;
• Experience tracking program finances and budgets;
• Strong understanding of key issues in U.S. study abroad and student-centered programming;
• Public speaking experience;
• Strong command of Excel, Word, Power Point, Adobe, and other office programs;
• Previous study of - or proficiency in - Hindi, Indonesian, Thai, Turkish, or Vietnamese (highly preferred);

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.