[CivilSoc] Program Manager/Community Connections/Kyrgyzstan

[Bruce Papendick]

TITLE: Program Manager
REPORTS TO: DC Community Connections Officer, PTD  
POSITION LOCATION: Kyrgyzstan
US Citizenship required
ABOUT IREX:  IREX (the International Research & Exchanges Board) is the
premier US nonprofit organization specializing in higher education,
independent media, Internet development, and civil society programs in
the United States, Europe, Eurasia, the Near East, and Asia. 
IREX has administered exchanges with Eurasia since the organization was
founded in 1968. IREX programs in Eurasia span academic exchanges,
educational advising, alumni programming, independent media assistance
and development, Internet training and access, professional training,
NGO development, and partnership building. 
IREX has had an on-the ground presence in Kyrgyzstan since opening its
Bishkek office in 1994. IREX has since expanded into the cities of
Karakol, Osh, Naryn, Talas, and Kara-Balta. IREX programs in Kyrgyzstan
focus on scholar exchanges, Internet development, educational advising,
and local alumni programming. Please see below for more details. 
SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Program Manager will recruit candidates for the
ECA-funded Community Connections Program for Kyrgyzstan. The Community
Connections Program is an intensive US internship program that provides
community-specific professional development opportunities to specialists
from various occupational groups and is designed as partnerships between
governments, nonprofit organizations, and businesses. The position will
involve extensive travel to conduct program recruitment, selection,
orientations, and alumni activities in Kyrgyzstan. 
The 2003-2004 recruitment themes for Kyrgyzstan are business
entrepreneurship, tourism development, agricultural processing, conflict
prevention, national and cultural identity/historical and cultural
preservation, and library management/association building.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Specific responsibilities will include the following: 
* establishing temporary offices in target regions; 
* hiring and training temporary local staff; 
* conducting outreach and recruitment for the program in target regions;
* delivering informational lectures on the program to potential
applicants; 
* organizing and convening selection committees and individual
interviews; 
* developing alumni activities for returning participants.
QUALIFICATIONS 
The program manager must be well organized, able to work independently,
skilled at handling multiple tasks, able to adhere to deadlines, and
willing to travel extensively within Kyrgyzstan. 
Other specific qualifications should include at a minimum:
* a bachelor's degree or equivalent; 
* knowledge of the local language and/or Russian language is highly
desirable;
* professional and/or living experience in the region, preferably in
Kyrgyzstan; 
* excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; 
* basic knowledge of regional political, economic and social issues; 
* knowledge of computers and relevant software (MS Office 97, Eudora, on
the road telecommunications experience a plus).
TO APPLY
Interested parties should submit resume and cover letter to
PTD/CCKG/MF/26-03 .    Fax: (202) 628-8189      E-mail: resumes at irex.org
Web site:  http://www.irex.org.      EOE.   NO PHONE CALLS.