PROGRAM SECTOR SPECIALIST

• Different industries
• Skopje
• Peace Corps North Macedonia
• 24-11-2024

Job details

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Peace Corps North Macedonia is a U.S. government agency and seeks qualified and motivated candidates for the full-time position of:

 Program Sector Specialist

Working under the supervision of the Director of Programming and Training (DPT) or delegated staff member, the Program Sector Specialist (PSS) is responsible for supporting Peace Corps Volunteers serving in a specific programmatic sector in North Macedonia.

 In coordination with the DPT and other relevant staff, the PSS is responsible for supporting the Program Manager (PM) with site preparation and management for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) in their sector. The PSS collaborates with the PM to identify, interview, and select potential host families for PCV sites in their assigned programmatic sector. The PSS provides ongoing administrative/logistical support for PCV housing, including resolving ongoing housing issues. The PSS coordinates with the PM to provide overall support for PCVs’ cultural adaptation and technical skills development, and assists PCVs in becoming self-sufficient, secure, and productive. In conjunction with the Training Manager and Language and Cultural Coordinator, the PSS provides ongoing support on cross-cultural issues to counterparts, host families, and PCVs in order to facilitate a positive working and living arrangement for all parties involved.

 This position requires a strong understanding of the cultures of America and North Macedonia to properly understand and respond to concerns and questions from PCVs, host families, and other community members, as well as excellent communication and technical skills. The position also requires strong organizational, planning, and time management skills.

 The PSS will have administrative duties in line with Peace Corps policies and processes, and other duties as assigned.

This position requires frequent in-country travel. The PSS performs duties during a 40-hour work-week; however occasional work on evenings, weekends, and/or holidays may be required.

Peace Corps Provides:

·         Opportunity to work with a U.S. government agency/international organization

·         Opportunity to work as part of a multicultural team

·         Professional development opportunities

·         A competitive salary/benefits package, including sick leave, annual leave, and supplemental health insurance

 Location: Skopje, with occasional travel within North Macedonia or internationally.

 Salary: 146,935.00MKD/per month (gross amount). This is a Full-Time position. No relocation expenses will be covered. The pay plan is assigned at the time of the conditional offer letter by HR.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Professional Experience:

·         University degree in any field.

·         Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in educational development.

·         Minimum 1 year experience working with an NGO, international organization, educational organization, or similar entity or department.

Language: Fluent Macedonian and English (both written and oral).

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·         Demonstrated experience with educational development

·         Demonstrated experience with understanding and working with cross-cultural issues

·         Demonstrated experience with representational work to external stakeholders including giving presentations and/or direct recruitment in North Macedonia

·         Demonstrated experience organizing and facilitating trainings or events for diverse groups of people

·         Proven ability to develop and maintain a professional network of contacts with organizations and/or government officials through personal contact and correspondence

Demonstrated experience with administrative responsibilities including coordinating logistics, event planning, and/or budgeting

·         Demonstrated experience working cooperatively in a cross-cultural team

·         Excellent computer skills with high level of attention to detail, including experience with Microsoft Office Suite, databases, and data entry

Ability to take initiative and work with minimal supervision Ability to travel regularly throughout North Macedonia, including some overnights [transportation provided by Peace Corps] Ability to pass a background check and maintain a security clearance.

 Desired Qualifications:

Fluency in Albanian or other local minority language Demonstrated experience in special education, informal education, and/or community or youth development

·         Additional training and/or advanced degree relevant to the position

·         Experience working with U.S. citizens and knowledge of American culture

·         Experience with both oral and written translation work

Estimated Start Date:  April 2025, contingent on successful background investigation and availability of funds.

 Security Clearance: After an offer is made, the selected candidate is required to successfully pass a background investigation conducted by the U.S. Embassy in Skopje.

 How to apply? Submit the following to mkjobs@peacecorps.gov and include “Program Sector Specialist – First and Last Name” in the Subject line of the email:

 1.       Resume: in English that clearly outlines your experience as it relates to the position requirements and includes the month and year of each stated work experience.

2.       References: List names, contact information, and your relationship to three references who can directly comment on your skills. References should not be relatives and at least one reference should be a current or former supervisor.

3.       Cover Letter: No more than 300 words and in English that describes your interest in the position and highlights your expertise and accomplishments relevant to the position. Cover letters will only be reviewed for short-listed candidates invited to interview.

4.       Additional:

a.        Clearly state in the body of the email if you are a relative of a current Peace Corps staff member and include their name. A relative is defined as “husband, wife, domestic partner, member of household, father, father-in-law, stepfather, mother, mother-in-law, stepmother, son, son-in-law, stepson, daughter, daughter-in-law, stepdaughter, brother, brother-in-law, half-brother, sister, sister-in-law, half-sister, uncle, aunt, first cousin, nephew, or niece.” Otherwise, state “I am not related to a current Peace Corps staff member” in the body of the email.

b.       Clearly state in the body of the email if you have ever served Peace Corps as a Trainee or Volunteer (including Response), or as a staff member (USDH, PSC, or FSN), and if so, identify the position location, position type, job title, and starting and ending dates. Otherwise, state “I have no experience in Peace Corps” in the body of the email.

5.       Do not include any other items aside from what is described above. For example, do not attach letters of reference or certificates as these documents will not be considered for your application.

Application deadline: 11:59 PM on December 1, 2024. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 Peace Corps reserves the right to fill one or more positions through this advertisement. Peace Corps reserves the right to withhold an offer of a personal services contract to an individual that is a relative or household member of a current Peace Corps staff member. Peace Corps reserves the right to not evaluate or to withhold an offer of a personal services contract to an individual that has a history of poor past performance or conduct as a Peace Corps Trainee, Volunteer, or staff member (USDH, PSC, or FSN). Individuals who have current or prior connections with intelligence activities or agencies through employment, related work, or even family relations may be ineligible for a personal services contract. The selected individual will be required to follow any workplace health and/or safety rules indicated for their position – including complying with any medical and/or training requirements specified for their position in accordance with public health and/or occupational health or safety policies. The individual may be asked to complete one or more temporary duty assignments at other Peace Corps posts, transfer to another Peace Corps post, or to complete a detail with another USG Agency, a Peace Corps Headquarters office, or with a post other than the post of assignment.  As part of an approved detail, the individual may be requested to perform work that may be specifically in line with or may add to the duties stated in the contract. Preference will be given to candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the host country or region. Peace Corps will not discriminate against an applicant because of that person's race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older, except when the applicant is beyond the mandatory retirement age in the country of assignment), disability, or genetic information.