Regional Field Manager

Job context:

 

AFS Intercultural Programs is a multi-national, non-governmental organization dedicated to peace through the promotion of worldwide intercultural learning and living experiences primarily for high school students.  As an organization that prides itself on its strong network of community-based volunteers, AFS considers volunteers a major asset in fulfilling the mission of the organization.  The Team Manager helps develop and implement strategies to build and expand volunteer strength within the AFS regional structure to meet the goals and priorities of the organization.

 

As leader of a team dedicated to a cluster of Area Teams, the Team Manager takes the lead in planning and directing the organizational development of AFS in the cluster of Area Teams to which s/he is assigned.  The Team Manager will create a plan and direct its implementation to include: managing the volunteer processes within the region to which she/he is assigned, including pre-recruitment planning, recruitment, placement, orientation and training, review and feedback, record-keeping and recognition.  The Team Manager will provide support and resources to volunteers at the local unit level, to Area Leadership Team, Volunteer Council  and to regional staff in order to strengthen this integrated volunteer-staff model.  The Team Manager is responsible for developing and implementing recruitment strategies to meet hosting and sending goals within the assigned region.

 

The Team Manager is a professional, supervisory position involving work of a complex nature.  This employee will be responsible for planning, facilitating, and managing a small, focused team of staff and a broad, dispersed system of volunteers in varying positions and levels.  Work will typically involve assessing organizational needs, designing and implementing programs with other staff, evaluating effectiveness and overall success of efforts, and the responsibility to develop new or improved techniques and methods of obtaining results and overcoming challenges.

 

Responsibilities:

 

Organizational Development

? Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Area Teams to which s/he is assigned, including the quality of programs and potential for growth

? With input from Regional Director and volunteer leadership, develop a detailed and comprehensive plan to strengthen the Area Team and local unit structures, to increase AFS capacity for program delivery, to strengthen and extend school relations, and to maximize recruitment

? Lead team in implementation of plan and achievement of objectives, including frequent reviews, reporting, and course correction.

 

Recruitment

? Responsible for the planning and implementation of recruitment for all programs (core and special hosting, sending, global educators, volunteers, etc?) in designated cluster of Area Teams

? Collaborate with the Regional Director and volunteers to establish hosting and sending goals for the region

? Work with volunteers in designated Area Teams to assess recruitment needs and develop strategies to meet all program goals

? Develop contingency plans to meet any shortfalls in achieving the hosting, sending, and volunteer recruitment goals

? Coordinate with volunteers and the National Marketing department to design and implement a regional marketing campaign

? Work with the Regional Director and volunteers to establish workable benchmarks for hosting, sending and volunteer development goals and gauge progress against these benchmarks

? Ongoing responsibility to keep self, staff, and volunteers updated on all program offerings and changes for each cycle

? Coordinate all regional staff field trips

 

Administration

? Supervise Organizational Development Coordinators, including responsibility for hiring, training, and evaluation of staff.

? Serve as a member of the Regional Management Team.

? Ensure that AFS-USA, AFS International, federal, state, and local guidelines are being followed, especially the State Department and CSIETguidelines

? Serve as the key communicator for your team with both the Support Team and Admissions Department

? Serve periodically as AFS Duty Officer

 

Volunteer Development

? Create a strategy for volunteer recruitment that meets programmatic plans specific to Area Teams and local units in designated region

? Coordinate the training programs for staff and volunteers in assigned region.  This includes assessing needs and ensuring the delivery of training

? Serve as a member of the volunteer council

? Work as the key contact for regional volunteer leaders

? Assist in developing the volunteer capacity to support students and families in their AFS experience

? Ensure recruitment of liaisons for all hosted students

 

School Relations

? Ensure quality management of school relations within Area Team cluster to position AFS as the lead exchange program in schools 

? Work with local volunteers to establish new relationships with schools not already associated with AFS

? Monitor school and local policies that affect student exchange and work with Regional Director and volunteer leaders to influence those policies

 

Work Conditions:

 

Supervision and Location: The Team Manager may be based in the Regional Service Center or work from home and reports to the Regional Director.

 

Working Relationships: The Team Manager works closely with volunteers and needs to be willing to conform to their schedules.  A strong collegial working relationship is required with the Regional Director, Organizational Development Coordinators, Admissions Department, Information Center, and Support Department, as well as the Office Manager and Regional Development staff. The Team Manager is a member of the regional management team and volunteer council.

 

Travel and Work Conditions: The Team Manager should expect to travel up to 40% of the year, including weekends, for field trips and training events.  Compensatory time may be taken during the week within AFS policy.  The Team Manager is expected to be a self-starter and comfortable working without administrative support.

 

Salary and Benefits:

 

Salary commensurate with experience

Competitive benefits

 

Qualifications:

 

? 5+ years of work experience in service industries or not-for-profit

? 3-5 years experience in managing or coordinating work groups, either community volunteers or in managing regional operations on other sites, including some volunteer management

? Experience in marketing, recruitment or sales

? Experience in community organizing and organizational development

? Demonstrated skills and experience in project planning, implementation, and evaluation, with a track record of achieving objectives on such projects

? Substantial stand-up training/presentation experience

? Strong skills in word processing and use of spreadsheets

? Ability to motivate staff and volunteers to achieve common goals

? Demonstrated background and in problem-solving

? Track record of working collaboratively to achieve results 

? BA required

? Valid driver?s license

? Good verbal and written skills

? Ability to manage multiple priorities

? Excellent organizational skills

? Cross-cultural experience preferred

? Ability to work with persons of diverse backgrounds

? Commitment to the mission and principles of AFS Intercultural Programs