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Position Title: Lead Language and Culture Facilitator (LLCF)
Location: Outside of Kathmandu
Work Hours: The LLCF will be required to follow a six-day work week and work during holidays. Work hour is not limited to 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and no provision for overtime.
Reports to: Training Coordinator
Position Summary:
Under the direct supervision of the Training Coordinator (TC), and in close coordination with the Senior Language and Culture Facilitator (SLCF), the LLCF is responsible for planning, coordination, integration, implementation and evaluation of the Language and Cross-Culture training during the Pre-Service Training (PST). Under normal working conditions, the LLCF works supports Language and Culture Facilitators (LCFs) to facilitate language and cross-culture training with small groups of PCTs (4 – 5 per group) and live immersed in Nepali communities for the duration of contract period. The LLCF supports LCFs to conduct one-on-one and small group language and culture sessions to Peace Corps Trainees (PCTs) and Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in person. All staff, including LLCF, are expected to follow local and Peace Corps COVID-19 safety mitigation measures during in-person sessions or events. The LLCF may need to conduct training sessions using online/virtual formats if Peace Corps decides to go virtual due to rises in COVID cases. LLCFs follow a prescribed curriculum and use a variety of language training techniques and methodologies. She/he serves as a primary cultural bridge between the PCTs, PCVs, their host families, and the broader communities in which they are living, and also provide emotional support to PCTs and PCVs as they transition to life in Nepal.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: University Bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
Language Proficiency: Professional oral and written English and Nepali proficiency.
Prior Work Experience:
- Minimum of 1 year experience of Nepali language teaching or tutoring in a formal or non- formal setting.
- Willing to live with a Nepali family at the Training site outside of Kathmandu for the duration of contract period.
- Computer skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education.
Prior Work Experience:
- Experience in planning and implementing training of trainer or teacher training activities so participants can effectively develop, facilitate, and reflect upon Nepali language and culture sessions.
- Experience planning and implementing Nepali language and culture training sessions and other learning activities that embrace the Experiential Learning Cycle.
- Experience facilitating learning activities that promote collaborative, peer-supported learning.
- Experience partnering with individuals with marginalized social identities (caste, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and so on) in Nepal.
- Experience navigating language and culture in a rural village community setting in Nepal.
- Experience in a cross-cultural setting with American or international organizations.
- Experience with organizations that achieve their mission through volunteerism.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes:
- Communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, conflict management skills, diplomacy and tact with staff, Volunteers, Trainees, community members and members of the government. Is cross-culturally sensitive and strives to communicate openly.
- Motivation: Ability to work independently and proactively, is self-motivated and adaptable to constantly changing situations, and accepts responsibility.
- Professionalism: Maintains confidentiality regarding Volunteer issues and other information, and possesses a strong sense of integrity. Sets a positive example for peers and PCVs in performance of professional duties (is punctual, diligent, well-groomed, etc.). Acts as a team member in a consensus-building atmosphere, encourages constructive feedback and accepts suggestions for improvement, and willingly responds to reasonable
requests from both colleagues and supervisors in a timely manner.
Candidates will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. To ensure full credit for your experience, please indicate dates of employment by month, day, and year and the number of hours worked per week in your resume.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assists and works with Training Coordinator and SLCF in planning and implementing language/cross culture TOT. Facilitates Training of Trainers (TOT) for LCFs prior to PST.
- Actively participates in the Pre-Service Training (PST) General TOT and TOT for Language and Culture Facilitators (LCFs) conducted prior to Peace Corps Trainees’ (PCTs) arrival.
- Builds teamwork among fellow training staff, PCTs, PCVs, and supports PC/Nepal staff and training team efforts and decisions.
- Serves as a substitute LCF whenever needed.
- Provide proactive guidance to LCFs in planning language learning activities, reviews lesson plans on a regular basis and assists in developing language lesson plans incorporating different training methods and activities.
- Teach /co-teach language classes at cluster sites, making appropriate lesson modifications based upon the learning needs of the PCTs and feedback received from them, paying particular attention to meeting the learning needs of adults.
- Conducts training session in-person and/or virtual using online, live, and recorded methods with online platforms that can include Zoom, Skype and LearningSpace. For in- person sessions, take all COVID-19 mitigation measures prior to any session or interaction, as specified by the agency guideline if needed.
- Collects/compiles all lesson plans, language/cultural materials and other documents and submits to the Training Coordinator for future use.
- Develops Nepali Language and Cross-Culture assignments for PCTs to perform at their PST cluster sites and follows up the assignments.
- Helps PCTs to develop cross-cultural knowledge and skills by clarifying their questions/interpretation regarding Nepali culture and practices/behaviors.
- Facilitates cross-culture training sessions/big group language activities at different cluster sites.
- Ensures that community activities are planned and implemented at their cluster site.
- Prepares all necessary materials, handouts, visuals, activities, worksheets that are required for the language and cultural training under the guidance of the Training Coordinator.
- Visits PCTs’ cluster sites, observe language classes and provide onsite support and guidance to PCTs and LCFs.
- Collaborates through the TC with the Training Administrative Assistant for any necessary reproduction or purchase of training materials.
- Coordinates with all other component trainers to effectively integrate Language in safety, health, technical and cross –culture components training.
- Maintains open communication with the PCTs and staff throughout the PST.
- Participates fully in the assessment of the PCTs’ progress in fulfilling the Language Cross-Culture and technical training objectives and in evaluating the appropriateness of behaviors and attitudes to become a PCV.
- Provides timely and regular feedback using SAW to PCTs regarding their progress in language acquisition and cultural understanding.
- Uses coach approach to help PCTs solve their issues and does not prescribe solution.
- Provides support to PCTs on technical and cross-cultural/community activities and during technical practicum. Participates in field trips and integrates appropriate Technical Language.
- Maintains a high level of confidentiality when dealing with PCT health issues and other concerns and shares on a need-to-know basis only.
- Participates in all plenary meeting and training group activities.
- Participates as a full member of the PST core staff, supports and assists the Training Manager and Training Coordinator as requested.
- If required, participates in discussion activities on the Volunteer competency model and training alignment, and provides input based on teaching and learning experience.
- Integrates ICDEIA (Intercultural Competence, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) into all training events and sessions whenever possible.
- Demonstrates respect to diversity that PCTs and staff bring by being inclusive and provide required support to all.
OCCASIONAL MONEY HANDLER
The PSC may be required to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to training sites, or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer. The PSC may also be required to courier cash to PCTs or Volunteers. The PSC will not be functioning as a procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient. In the case of dealing with vendors, the PSC will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
- Is knowledgeable of the Peace Corps Emergency Action Plan (EAP) and in the event of an emergency conducts his/her role in helping to ensure the safety of Peace Corps PCTs and Staff.
- Assists the Training Manager and the Training Coordinator in developing, assessing and redesigning competencies and training sessions as required.
- Evaluates and reports Volunteer/Trainee acquisition of safety and security competencies. Immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and Training Coordinator.
- Supports the safety and security systems that are in-place for pre-service training, including reinforcing Trainee roles and responsibilities related to personal safety and security. Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.
- Collaborates with TC and TM to periodically evaluate the safety and security situation of the training Site.
- Integrates into the community at the Training site, with a focus on developing positive relationships with community members during PST.
- Strictly follows Peace Corps Nepal COVID-19 mitigation protocols and guidance including physical distancing, PPE, usage of mask, accommodation, number of participants present at any event, as specified by the agency guideline if required.
- Regarding COVID safety, staff monitor their own symptoms, manage risks, and ensure that those around them are also following the correct procedures.
- The Contractor is required to follow any workplace health and/or safety rules indicated for their position specified in a Peace Corps policy.
OTHERS
- As required and instructed by the Training Manager and/or Training Coordinator.
- Follows Peace Corps Policies and Guidelines for Professional Trainer/staff behavior
HOW TO APPLY (by July 24, 2023):
Carefully review the full advertisement and Statement of Work for the above listed positions online at https://np.usembassy.gov/embassy/jobs/.
For your application to be marked as complete and considered for further review:
- By email: Submit (1) your resume, (2) a brief cover letter in English, and (3) include the position to which you are applying for in the subject line to nepaljobs@peacecorps.gov.
- By mail or hand delivery: Provide (1) your resume, (2) a brief cover letter in English, and (3) include the position to which you are applying at the top of the cover letter and send to U.S. Peace Corps, P.O. Box 15150, Kathmandu, Nepal or hand deliver to our office in Maharajgunj. All applications must reach our office by the deadline, July 24, 2023.
- All applicants: If you have ever served as a Peace Corps Trainee/Volunteer or a Peace Corps staff member please include the position location, position type, title, and starting and ending dates within your application.
Notes: Late applications will not be considered. Due to high volume, telephone inquiries will not be entertained. Only shortlisted applicants will be notified for interviews.
Peace Corps/Nepal Diversity Statement:
Peace Corps Nepal is committed to embedding equity, diversity and inclusion into our core business practices. We welcome applications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity to drive innovation, creativity, success, and good practice. We positively welcome and seek to achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all job applicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of their background and personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to) socio-economic background, age, race, caste, gender identity and expression, religion, ethnicity, disabilities, political affiliation, marital, pregnancy, maternity, or indigenous status.
Peace Corps/Nepal Safeguarding Statement:
We define safeguarding as the preventive action taken by Peace Corps Nepal to protect our volunteers, staff, partners, and communities we work with from harm. We are committed to ensuring that all children and adult who come into contact with Peace Corps are treated with respect and are free from abuse. All successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced selection process and a rigorous due diligence process.