FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SUMMARY:
Funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), the Regional Flagship Language Initiatives provide intensive, immersion-based language instruction to graduate and undergraduate students who have been awarded Boren fellowships and wish to study Hindi, Indonesian, Thai, Turkish, or Vietnamese. Each program begins with an intensive, eight-week summer session conducted at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, followed by a fifteen-week overseas semester, administered by American Councils in collaboration its international partners and UWM. The overseas locations and partners are:
Hindi: The American Institute of Indian Studies; Jaipur, India
Indonesian: Malang University; Malang, Indonesia
Thai: Chiang Mai University; Chaing Mai, Thailand
Turkish: Azerbaijan University of Languages; Baku, Azerbaijan
Vietnamese: University of Languages and International Studies (ULIS), Vietnam National University; Ha Noi, Vietnam
Enrollments in each overseas program range from 6 to 15. Each program provides 20 hours per week of intensive language instruction, weekly cultural activities, service learning, and language tutoring. Students live with host families vetted by American Councils and its overseas partners. A full time U.S. Resident Director (RD) serves as American Councils’ chief representative on site and provides ongoing support to students, including 24-emergency aid, for the duration of the program.
The Program Officer plays a critical role in the successful day-to-day operation of the RFLI programs. The Program officer is responsible for preparing program materials and information, including websites, acceptance materials, student handbooks, “Day-in-the-Life” seminars for prospective students, and pre-departure orientations. The Program Officer arranges student travel, visa applications, and insurance enrollments. The Program Officer helps to facilitate collaboration between faculty at overseas partners and UWM in order to maximize program articulation. The Program Officer communicates extensively with individual program participants to address questions; assist with program arrangements; and ensure completion of requisite documents, including medical forms and waivers. The Program Officer helps to arrange, schedule, and proctor language testing for all RFLI program participants at the start and conclusion of their programs. The Program Officer provides key support to each Resident Director in the field, assisting with financial reports, cash flow, and supplies. In collaboration with UWM, the Program Officer plans and schedules key activities and events for the department, including Pre-Departure Orientation, Day-in-the-Life Seminars, and RD trainings. The Program Officer assists in tracking program finances, developing program budgets, and compiling and writing program reports and proposals. The Program Officer assists in the recruitment and hire of RFLI Resident Directors.
The position reports to the RFLI Program Manager.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Plan, schedule, prepare, and help conduct key program events and activities, including RD training, Pre-Departure Orientation, and Day-in-the-Life Seminars (in collaboration with UWM);
- Prepare student acceptance packets, handbooks, and program forms;
- Develop comprehensive informational materials and update program websites;
- Respond to phone and email inquiries from students, parents, and stakeholders;
- Track and process student acceptance materials, including host family request forms;
- Arrange travel, visa applications, insurance, and STEP enrollment for all RFLI students;
- Maintain ongoing communication with UWM to coordinate the transition from summer to overseas fall programming;
- Facilitate communication between UWM and overseas faculty (including zoom visits to classrooms);
- Assist in scheduling and proctoring language assessment exams for all participants at the start and conclusion of their programs;
- Help schedule and provide logistical support for site visits;
- Make travel arrangements and prepare cash advances, contracts, and supplies for Resident Directors; provide ongoing logistical support to RDs in the field throughout the fall semester;
- Arrange travel, housing, per diems, insurance, and vis support for overseas partners traveling to the U.S. for annual summit with UWM and IIE;
- Process invoices, check requests, and payments; track program expenses; assist in compilation of financial reports;
- Administer and compile program evaluations and arrange to share data with UWM;
- Assist in drafting of grant proposals and program reports;
- Assist in the recruitment and hiring of RFLI Resident Directors;
- Other duties as assigned.