Thailand Program Leader

Are you an OG Program Leader?

Do you have a love for and lots of experience in Southeast Asia? Want to share your knowledge and passion while guiding a group of young adults as they explore the world around them? Want to grow as an individual and as a team leader? And do it in a cool, critical way by learning and sharing modes of ethical, responsible travel? We are a small not-for-profit travel organization looking for experienced leaders, enthusiastic facilitators, amazing storytellers, and badass backpackers to lead our programs in Southeast Asia in the summer of 2022!

Southeast Asia Programs include:

• Thailand: Farm 2 Table (40 days) - July 11-August 19, 2022

For more details check out our Open Program's page @ https://www.operationgroundswell.com/programs/

What is an OG Program Leader?

Program Leaders are the eyes, ears, hands, and heart of our organization. OG Program Leaders serve as team builders, translators, educators, and logisticians for groups of between 5-15 people who are on the adventure of a lifetime! Program Leaders coordinate engagements with our local partners and facilitate activities on topics from cultural literacy to power, privilege, environmental stewardship, and social justice. They help guide tours and lead treks, organize bin bag fashion shows and create city-wide scavenger hunts!

Our Program Leaders come from around the world and bring with them a variety of different educational backgrounds and life experiences. What they all share is a passion for travel, a commitment to life-long learning, and a desire to create a more just and equitable world.

Operation Groundswell programs are special in that Program Leaders have some latitude to develop and facilitate activities that respond to the unique expectations, interests, and needs of their participants. So, while OG programs have all been thoughtfully designed and developed by Operation Groundswell Headquarters (OGHQ) based on years of experience and feedback, Program Leaders work to refine their itinerary and tailor their activities to make room for serendipity and create an adventure beyond compare.

What do you have to do to be a Program Leader?

The Responsibilities

PL Training begins 2-3 months before your first program.

• Attendance at 3-6 training/planning sessions including a minimum of 1-2 meetings with your Co-Leader or "Co" when and where applicable* along with your support team at OGHQ.
• Completion or renewal of a wilderness first-aid certification (if required).

Program Setup & Participant Onboarding begins 1-2 months before your program(s).

OGHQ does most of the program design, development, and setup work but every Program Leader has a number of pre-program responsibilities to help them and their participants prepare for their adventure. These include:

• Working with OGHQ and your Co* to complete a draft day-by-day itinerary for your program(s) including food, accommodations, transportation and activities;
• Working with OGHQ and a Co* to complete a draft Budget Planner for your program(s);
• Working with OGHQ and Co* to complete a draft Risk Assessment for your program(s);
• Helping OGHQ and a Co* carry out pre-departure participant communications for your program(s) including responding to questions via email and making regular posts to your programs' online group forum;
• Working with OGHQ and a Co* to host a pre-departure participant training session for your program(s);
• Working with OGHQ and a Co* to update Personal Travel Primers for your program(s).

*** Depending on the PL and program, the pre-program workload can range from 2-6 hours/week.

Program Delivery (Begins 2 weeks before each program)

Program Leaders are required to arrive in their program region a minimum of 1-2 weeks before participant arrivals to complete pre-program reconnaissance or “precon”. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Working with a Co* to confirm a final day-by-day itinerary for your program(s) including reservations for food, accommodations, transportation and activities;
• Working with a Co* to complete a final Budget Planner for your program(s);
• Working with a Co* to complete a final Risk Assessment for your program(s);
• Accompany your program(s) from start to finish and work with a Co* to manage all group logistics;
• Working with a Co* to responsibly manage program budgets and resources including spending within approved limits, maintaining Budget Trackers and uploading receipts;
• Working with a Co* to facilitate engaging group activities, discussions and debriefs including the delivery of OG’s Core Curriculum;
• Working with a Co* to care for the physical and emotional health of the participants and manage any interpersonal conflicts that might occur on your program(s);
• Working collaboratively with OG’s in-country vendors, partners and allies to deliver on our shared goals;
• Maintaining regular communication with OGHQ including regular phone and/or text updates, attendance at weekly meetings with the supervising director, and the submission of program blogs if applicable;
• Following the policies and protocols laid out in OG’s Risk Management System including the submission of detailed Incident Reports when required;
• Sharing your joy of travel like that amazing comedor or street stall, the art of navigating public transit, and the best places to see the sunset.

*Start dates are dependent on your program(s) but PLs are required to be in-country a minimum of 7-14 days before their program's official start date.