My DREAM Job

Peace Corps

Country Director, FP-0340-1 (Equivalent to GS-15)
ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: Country Director 09-03 APPLICATION DEADLINE: Help
JOB LOCATION: Peace Corps posts worldwide WORK SCHEDULE: Full Time
SALARY RANGE: $85,659.00-$137,430.00 OPEN DATE: 11/02/2009
TIME LIMIT: Term, not to exceed 30 Months WHO MAY APPLY: US citizens
NUMBER OF VACANCIES: 7

Still asking what you can do for your country?

The Peace Corps provides technical assistance to countries that request it by sharing America's most precious resources - its people. The Peace Corps has helped local communities in 139 countries build a better life through the work of its Volunteers. Since 1961, over 195,000 Volunteers have served. The Peace Corps is an independent U.S. government agency promoting world peace and friendship through the work of its Volunteers.

Peace Corps positions are normally filled for an initial 2 1/2 year period, but may be extended to a total 5 year limit. This keeps our workplace vibrant and our ideas fresh.


The Peace Corps Country Director is responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the Peace Corps program in the country of assignment. The Country Director is:

* Responsible for supporting 50 to 250 Volunteers as they live and work in a country, often under conditions of hardship, lend their skills and energy to meet community needs and promote a better understanding between the host country people and Americans.

* The senior manager of a staff of 15 to 40 employees (including two to three Americans) and the senior administrator of an annual budget ranging from $1 million to $4 million.

* The senior Peace Corps representative in the country of assignment.

* Responsible for analyzing and implementing all Peace Corps programming and projects.

* The personification of the Peace Corps' commitment to improving world understanding and peace through people-to-people contact.


DUTIES:

Program Direction and Leadership

With host country partnering organizations, develops a vision for the country program and a plan for achieving the vision. Takes the leadership role in preparing cooperating agreements between Peace Corps and host country partner agencies. These agreements should include a description of the project objectives, an estimate of the number of Volunteers to be assigned to the project, the responsibilities of the Peace Corps and the partner ministry or agency, and the rights of the partners within the relationship. In collaboration with staff, devises a system that defines project development and management responsibilities.

Volunteer Support

Approves and facilitates Volunteer projects and programming to assure Volunteer productivity and host country support. This requires analyzing and understanding host country needs and viability of the project; evaluating Volunteer assignments, sites, and counterparts; and managing and supporting associate Peace Corps directors who are directly responsible for training and programming support.

Establishes relationships with trainees and Volunteers that foster an understanding of the challenges of Peace Corps service; invites an open and respectful dialog between Volunteers and staff; evokes enthusiasm and support for the Peace Corps mission and the host country people and culture; instills a work ethic, cultural sensitivity, and sense of camaraderie among Volunteers.

Establishes systems to ensure the personal health, safety, and security of Volunteers. This requires developing, testing, and enforcing policies and procedures; ensuring the delivery of training to Volunteers and staff; collaborating with the U.S. embassy and host government as appropriate; anticipating, preventing, and managing crises ranging from sexual assaults and natural disasters to civil unrest and emergency evacuations.

Ensures that medical, programmatic, training, and administrative staff can identify and are equipped to provide appropriate support to Volunteers dealing with cross-cultural adjustment issues and the challenges in working with host country counterparts/ supervisors, host families, and colleagues, and of living in a foreign country.

Management and Administrative

Manages all Peace Corps staff members and contract personnel in country of assignment. This includes hiring, training, supervising, promoting, and monitoring employees in a cross-cultural setting, where local practices and law may be in conflict with U.S. government regulations, American work standards, or the practical needs of managing an office and a program.

Administers and oversees financial management, procurement, contract negotiation, disbursement, property control, and administrative services for the Peace Corps in the country of assignment. Ensures compliance with Peace Corps policy, U.S. federal government regulations, and local law. Assures timely submission of annual financial reports, prepares and submits other budget data to headquarters as requested, and reviews fiscal expenditures and imprest fund activities.

Representation

Sets the tone and character of the Peace Corps program to the country at large and serves as leader, liaison, role model, and representative for all Volunteers, trainees, and staff.

Establishes and maintains relationships with host country government officials and local authorities, representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other persons of influence in the country’s developmental efforts; and works with these individuals and organizations to enhance and promote the Peace Corps programs.

Establishes and maintains relationships with the chief of mission, regional security office, and others within the U.S. mission that foster the cooperation and coordination necessary to achieve Peace Corps’ goals and ensure the safety of Volunteers, but maintains maximum independence.