"Disc: Job Opening at American Councils"

[HumanResources HumanResources]

Country Director- Afghanistan


Position Description


SUMMARY:
The Country Director is responsible for maintaining American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS organizational relations in the host country, overseeing internal operations, and providing overall supervision of American Councils programs in country.  In this capacity, the Country Director position reports to the Regional Director for Central Asia and Afghanistan and works with the Washington-based Senior Staff as well as Washingtonbased program managers.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 
·	Maintains American Councils organizational relations in the host country with relevant US government offices and institutions (the US embassy, PAS, USAID, and other governmental and non-governmental agencies and donors); with national government and private institutions (government ministries, agencies and offices; national corporations; American Councils’ institutional partners); with the in-country offices of American organizations and foundations; and, with the international and domestic press;
·	Establishes and maintains American Councils operations in Kabul.  Ensures that proper registration and local legal procedures are followed;
·	Oversees American Councils internal operations in the host country; coordinates the activities of program staff; and advises staff on American Councils policies and employment matters regarding local national employees; 
·	Coordinates activity with NGO partners throughout the country to ensure effective and efficient program management in areas where American Councils has no permanent presence;
·	Provides overall supervision of American Councils programs in the host country by communicating, as needed, with country-based staff members concerning academic, operational, and other policy matters as affected by the region’s political, economic and cultural conditions;
·	Communicates regularly with, and makes recommendations to, the appropriate Regional Director, the Washington-based VP for Field Operations and other staff on general program matters, on perceptions of American Councils programs and on the influence of local conditions on the organization’s programs in the host country;
·	Assists US and host country program staff in developing new programs and seeking new funding sources for ongoing or prospective projects; assists in coordinating the work of American Councils offices in the host country and works to further external relations there;
·	Assists in coordinating works in other regions, as needed;
·	Supervises staff, coordinates development of programs, and oversees internal operations of auxiliary centers such as Educational Advising Center,  Regional Information and Educational Advising Center, Alumni Center, and Language Center; and 
·	Oversees management of general office administrative matters such as negotiating contracts; interacting with landlords, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:
·	Fluency in Dari and/or Pashto desired;
·	Bachelor's degree (graduate degree preferred) -- related to region in:  economics, international education or development, history, Dari and/or Pashto or related area;
·	Professional-level program management and implementation experience;
·	Overseas work/living experience, preferably in Afghanistan; demonstrated interest in Afghanistan and/or South Asia;
·	Supervisory experience; experience supervising local national staff preferred;
·	Cross-cultural skills; and 
·	Strong written and oral communication skills (English, Dari and/or Pashto)

TO APPLY:
Send letter/resume and salary requirements to HR Department, American Councils, 1776 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 700, Washington, DC  20036.  Fax: 202-872-9178 or 202-833-7523; email: resumes at americancouncils.org. Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer.

American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS is an international not-for-profit organization working to advance education, research, and mutual understanding across the United States and the nations of Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and Southeast Europe. Its mission is to foster democratic development and civil societies by advancing education and research, cultivating leadership, and empowering individuals and institutions through learning. With a staff of 400 professionals in 17 countries, American Councils designs, implements, and supports innovative programs in education, community outreach, and scholarly research.

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