Program Assocaite – Youth Leadership on Demand

Job Description:

The On-Demand Youth Leadership Program (ODYLP) is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), administered by Legacy International.  The program brings together approximately 24 youth participants (ages 15-18) and adult mentors for a three-week U.S.-based exchange focused on a variety of themes.  Themes and countries vary.  The most recent programs in the Spring of 2023 involved forty youths and adult mentors engaged in  programs focused on clean energy, climate adaptation, and climate resilience, and came from Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique, Uganda, and the U.S.

• In Fall, 2023, for youth and adult mentors from Columbia, Ecuador, Peru and the United States. (U.S. program dates:  November 1-20, 2023, in Seattle WA and Washington, DC.)
• Program specifics for 2024 are yet to be determined.

We are looking for an energetic, passionate and organized person with the ability to build community and to facilitate a fast-paced program.  ODYLP’s Program Associate should also be resilient and calm under pressure, highly collaborative, able to develop good working relationships with people, generous and supportive.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Work with Legacy’s ODYLP Program Manager and community-based partners to plan and execute the day to day program logistics.  Serve as a group leader/counselor for participants, assisting individuals to meet the demands of the program. Guide 20-25 international students through an arc of leadership development as they integrate the lessons from a variety of guest speakers, trainings, and, most importantly, the lessons they learn from one another.  Integrate five U.S. cultural ambassadors into specific program days and encourage exchange. Assist in facilitating leadership clinics, group-building and orientation activities, cultural sharing sessions, activity and reflections circles. Throughout the three-week experience, guide students through community-based project planning sessions and capstone program preparations.

Pre-U.S. Program

• Set-up communication channels (WhatsApp groups), LMS groups and monthly virtual meetings as needed for the adult mentors and youths from orientation through follow-on projects.
• Execute/support student communications – set-up systems for collection and tracking of forms and bio data. Organize & format participant data for program customization and visa procurement.
• Event/meeting set-up.
• Communications with program providers.
• Help complete all required Visa application/SEVIS information.
• Assisting with logistics – procuring supplies, flight monitoring, ticket purchasing, arranging for meals and laundry needs, other errands.
• Set up cultural and educational site visits and associated logistics (bus, meals etc.) for Washington DC dates.
• Maintain financial and cost share documentation
• Identify, arrange and provide for special needs of students.

During each U.S. Program

• Travel with the group, escorting on all outings, serving as mentor, trip leader, and group process monitor.
• Provide general program support as noted above (pre-program), especially when current plans need to be adjusted.
• Design and deliver icebreakers/group building games and recreational/sports activities.
• Facilitate homestay experience orientation and community service debriefs.
• Mentor individuals and small groups in project planning sessions.
• Health monitoring and 1^st aid assistance. Take students to clinics as needed. Implement and model adherence to infection control/safety protocols.
• Social Media Coordination – Photo documentation/archiving. Curate stories. Maintain Instagram and contribute to impact stories on website. Create a final slide show.
• Serve as main group safety coordinator on sightseeing/touring in Washington, DC.

After each. U.S Program

• Assist in monitoring community-based projects for three months post U.S. program.
• Document program
• Social Media Assistance – photo archive organization. Curate stories.
• Maintain financial and cost share documentation.

WORKFLOW & WORK LOCATION

This is a full-time position starting October 1, 2023 (to be confirmed at the time of an offer). Once international participants arrive in the U.S. the position requires being in-person and available 24/7.  Prior to and after the U.S. program, work may be remote from anywhere in the continental U.S. In-person and hybrid options are available to those candidates residing within commuting distance of Legacy’s home office in Bedford, VA or in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with exchange programs, group travel programs or previous experience as a university resident advisor or residential camp counselor, preferably with teens;
• Experience with and comfortable independently organizing and leading group-building activities;
• Ages 22 and older;
• U.S Citizen or Permanent Resident;
• Facile with cloud-based communication/collaboration tools (Google Drive, Google Docs, Google Forms);
• Social media storytelling experience;
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, schedule events, and manage numerous details for large groups of people;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with others based on knowledge of effective cross-cultural relations. This also includes experience with and comfortable helping navigate intercultural conflict amongst teens;
• Ability to establish work priorities, responds to unanticipated needs, and works well under pressure;
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team, remotely or in-person;
• Ability to adapt programming ideas to suit varied ages, physical and mental abilities, group sizes, cultures, and language abilities;
• Professional, flexible, resilient, resourceful, and proactive;
• Ability to take initiative and seek/accept guidance and supervision as needed;
• Willing to work in an intensive, cross-cultural environment with limited personal time;
• Prior international travel and familiarity with the Washington, D.C. area is preferred;
• First aid and CPR certification is a plus, but not required;
• While not required, candidates who are vaccinated against COVID are preferred.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary:  starts at $41,000 (pre-tax) (Negotiable to mid $40K range.)

Benefits:

• Legacy’s Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) benefits begin 3 months after start of employment. This HRA provides tax-free monetary reimbursements for qualified medical expenses, up to $3000 per year, subject to the employee meeting eligibility criteria.
• Flexible Paid Leave Policy. For a full time (100%) employee, this comes to 224 hours (28 eight-hour days) per year, which includes vacation, holidays and sick days.
• Extended Leave for Family or Medical Purposes – Full-time employees become eligible for up to twelve  weeks of this special leave after twelve months of employment; subject to specific limitations and eligibility. Four of these weeks are in the form of additional paid leave to be used in combination with one’s regular paid leave benefits and/or unpaid leave.
• Annual professional development support & stipend.
• Flexible work schedules with hybrid work environment option.

 Essential Functions

• Ability to effectively communicate with youth and staff, and to provide necessary instruction and training.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards.
• Ability to communicate to staff and youths the safety regulations and emergency procedures in case of an emergency.
• Cognitive and communication abilities for large, complex event management.
• Ability to operate essential office equipment needed to carry out responsibilities (i.e. telephone, digital camera, computer, photocopy machine).
• Ability to move light furnishings or equipment, and lift supplies up to 25 pounds.

How to Apply:

Visit WilloTalent at https://app.willotalent.com/invite/A3nNVe/.  In Willo, you will upload your resume and answer five (5) questions from a quiet place of your choice.  It is user friendly and you have several chances to do retakes.

• Questions? Contact Leila Baz, HR Manager via [email protected] (Please note “ODYLP” in the subject line.)
• Deadline: Rolling.  Our goal is to extend an offer by mid-September or soon after.

Legacy International is an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeks qualified applicants to represent diverse geographical, ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds. Our goal is to select the most qualified staff. The competitive standards are set by each group of applicants. Our policy is to ensure that no employee or applicant for employment is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other non-merit-based factor.