Student Exchange Program Leader (Nicaragua or Ecuador)

Global Student Embassy (GSE) is seeking an International Program Leader to help lead service-learning exchange programs in Nicaragua and Ecuador. GSE conducts action education programs to cultivate growth in young leaders in California, Ecuador and Nicaragua. Local and international GSE programs focus on sustainable agriculture, environmental restoration, and leadership development projects. GSE students are young ambassadors who practice grassroots international relations by contributing to projects in their own community, and traveling to collaborate with their international peers.

Position Summary:

An International Program Leader will work with a team of volunteer staff to facilitate international service exchange programs for groups of university and high school students, while strengthening partnerships with local GSE staff, partner schools, local organizations and surrounding communities. Each exchange program is 1-2 weeks long and multiple programs run consecutively.

Applicants must be proficient in Spanish (you will be working at a high level in Spanish and English on a daily basis). Applicants must also have strong practical knowledge of organic agriculture skills and farm/garden management, as well as strong leadership, teamwork and interpersonal skills with the proven ability to work alongside diverse constituents and collaborators.

Commitment: Nicaragua Exchange programs run February – April 2013 (2-3 month commitment). During this entire period you will be located in Nicaragua.

Exchange Exchange programs run mid-December 2012 – April 2013 (with 4-6 weeks of travel time in January & February). During all of the trip periods you will be located in Ecuador .

This is an unpaid position but all flights and in-country costs are covered by GSE. There is an option to extend you stay or fly down early for personal travel.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and manage all food, transport, lodging, and activity logistics for exchange programs (high level of Spanish proficiency required).

• Partner with a variety of local and international constituents to execute successful student service-learning exchange programs. Must have a willingness to learn the cultural context of the program -- capitalize on strengths of local staff and proactively/collaboratively work to improve programs

• Lead volunteer work at organic farms and during other environmental restoration work.

• Work alongside a team of volunteer trip leaders to work with student groups and accomplish all tasks

• Facilitate cross-cultural learning opportunities for international and US students

• Submit accurate accounting -- submit monthly excel accounting updates

• Participate in data collection(i.e. post-program feedback surveys, record participant interviews, social media updates, etc.)

• Have fun, build strong relationships and contribute to REAL and sustainable community development projects!

Qualifications & Qualities

• Commitment to GSE's unique mission and vision, and a related undergraduate degree

• Proficiency in Spanish [this is CRUCIAL since you will be managing relationships and facilitating the experience for Spanish speakers]

• High level of skills and knowledge related to organic agriculture and environmental restoration

• Experience living or traveling in the developing world (preferred)

• Experience working with high school students and/or leading high school groups (will enjoy the challenge of motivating young first time travelers to perform physically rigorous tasks)

• Capable of performing manual labor and modeling professional behavior

• Demonstrated experience successfully working on a team or with a co-leader

• Flexible and able to perform well under constantly changing environments

• Well organized and demonstrates excellent communication skills

• Able to establish clear expectations, guidelines, and boundaries, and can assist others to meet them

• Enjoys resolving issues and problem solving

• Takes pride in work and performs all assigned duties diligently, efficiently and effectively

We are looking for someone with an excellent work ethic who is deeply committed to our mission and approach. Candidates should be committed to learning and developing new skills as well as a desire to further develop our programming.

Please refer to globalstudentembassy.org for more information about GSE's mission, history, and approach. Thank you!