Program Assistant - Project Global Officer Narva Program

Updated: about 2 years ago
Job Type: PartTime
Deadline: The position may have been removed or expired!

Program Assistant - Project Global Officer Narva Program
UCIS-Office of the Director - Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh - (21008401)
 

Program Assistant - Project Global Officer Narva Program

The Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies (REEES) at the University of Pittsburgh is seeking a Program Assistant to work at the University of Tartu’s Narva College in Narva, Estonia on Pitt’s Project Global Officer (Project GO) Russian Language Program from June 11 – August 6, 2022. Sponsored by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) at the U.S. Department of Defense, Project GO is a collaborative initiative that promotes critical language education, study abroad, and intercultural dialogue opportunities for Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) students. The Pitt Project GO Narva Program offers full scholarships for students enrolled at any accredited college or university in the US for 8 weeks of intensive summer language study in Russian from 2nd through 4th-year level. Students acquire the equivalent of one academic year’s worth of language training, in addition to opportunities to build their inter-cultural competence and travel in the Baltics.

The Program Assistant represents Project GO and the University of Pittsburgh in the host country, oversees the implementation of the Narva program on the ground, and is responsible for ensuring the program is meeting its goals. The Program Assistant reports to the Project GO Program Coordinator at REEES and works with the language instructors and the host university’s local staff while monitoring housing, arranging logistics for the group, advising participants as required, and serving on-call to program participants 24/7 to resolve emergency and other issues as necessary.

 

The salary for this assignment is $5,100, payable in two equal installments at the end of June and the end of July. You may be entitled to certain medical insurance options. In addition to your salary, this position will cover roundtrip airfare from your home location to Tallinn, Estonia, your accommodations in Narva, daily breakfasts (7 days a week) and workday lunches (5 days a week). This position does not provide U.S. visa sponsorship.

 

Position Responsibilities:

  • Accompany group of 24 ROTC students and three language instructors on Pitt Project GO intensive overseas Russian language program in Narva, Estonia from June 11 - August 6, 2022.
  • Responsibly promote the academic program. It is expected that you will oversee students’ health and well-being, with the particular goal of helping them maintain the necessary stamina to succeed in the academic program.
  • Actively seek to establish a collaborative and positive working relationship with all staff participating in the program, including language instructors and Narva College staff. Serve as the program’s point of contact with the Narva College dormitory and café managers.
  • Familiarize yourself with the University of Pittsburgh and Defense Language & National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) pre-departure orientation materials provided to the students.
  • Run in-country orientation with entire group of students upon the group’s arrival to Narva, Estonia.
  • Actively encourage students and all program staff (including staff at Narva College with whom students have frequent interaction) to speak only in Russian while students are on campus and on all program-related excursions, lectures, and activities. Converse with students in the target language as often as possible, especially during coffee breaks, group meals, excursions, etc.
  • While in country, liaise with primary point of contact at Narva College of University of Tartu to ensure all program components are being carried through.
  • While in country, organize weekly Skype meetings with REEES staff, to which all language instructors are invited. This will help to ensure the highest academic quality of the program and provide a time to brief all on the week and upcoming lectures and excursions.
  • Attend and help to arrange (as needed) all excursions and off-campus activities.
  • Prepare students for all program-related excursions and lectures, accompany students on all program-related excursions, and run regular debriefing sessions with the students following excursions and lectures.
  • Periodically attend the language classes during weeks 2, 4, and 6 to check in on student progress in order to intervene early if any students are having difficulties socially or academically.
  • Submit weekly reports to REEES, detailing all major events of the week including any student illnesses, disciplinary matters, or other concerns.
  • Immediately report any student misconduct and/or health or safety concerns to REEES. Immediately report any emergencies occurring outside of Pittsburgh office hours to the Pitt Study Abroad Office.
  • Immediately report any concerns with program instructors or other onsite staff, including any issues pertaining to Title IX or sexual harassment, to REEES.
  • Visit student accommodations at the beginning of the program to ensure that students are safe, and check in with students periodically regarding any concerns with their accommodations.
  • Carry with you a cell phone that is operational 24/7. You must distribute your number to all students, all program instructors and administrators, and be on-call always.
  • In collaboration with REEES and administrators at Narva College, help to make sure class materials are available on the first day of class.
  • During the third week of classes, hold a meeting with each student to check in on his/her progress both academically and socially. Make recommendations to the students to increase their success in the program as needed.
  • Be available for student consultations as needed outside of regular class time.
  • Organize and facilitate all pre- and post-program proficiency tests. Help to administer required language proficiency exams (OPI/OPIc tests and Online Flagship Reading and Listening exams) to all students during the initial and final weeks of the program. Coordinate as necessary with Narva College staff to schedule use of computers.
  • Manage the program budget and keep records of all expenditures during the program. A list of all expenses paid from your travel advance with supporting documentation should be submitted to REEES within 10 days after your return to the US.

Prior to departure, the Program Assistant will be required to attend virtual pre-departure orientation sessions (up to three held during the spring term). You are also required to coordinate with the program provider and study abroad office to ensure that out-of-class site visits correspond with the experiential component of the program, meet budgetary constraints and follow the health, safety and security guidelines applicable to all Pitt study abroad programs. The Program Assistant will support crisis/emergency management upon the request of and supervised by the Narva College Onsite Coordinator. All faculty and staff members who participate in study abroad programs are also expected to administer course and program evaluations through the proper channels.

Required Qualifications

  • M.A. degree or higher in Russian, regional studies or a related field
  • Written and oral language skills in Russian (equivalent to Advanced Low or higher on the ACTFL scale)
  • Previous study or work experience in a Russian-speaking country
  • Evidence of commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

  • 3-6 months of experience working in a position of authority with undergraduate students in international education programs
  • Experience overseeing and guiding program-related excursions and cultural programs abroad in collaboration with faculty and third-party providers
  • Experience with seeking medical care in a Russian-speaking country or supporting students seeking medical care
  • Demonstrated skills in general financial accountability
  • Demonstrated organization and time management skills
  • Ability to exercise good judgment under pressure, work independently while contributing to an overall team effort, and manage multiple priorities quickly and effectively

Application Requirements

 

  • Updated curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Cover letter
  • Contact information for two references

 

Additional Information about the Position

The 2021 Project GO program was held in a virtual format. DLNSEO and the University of Pittsburgh will review public health and travel conditions in early Spring 2022 to determine whether participants can travel overseas to complete their program in summer 2022. This position is contingent upon the approval of overseas travel for Project GO participants. Program Assistants will only travel to countries which are approved for travel by both the CDC and the State Department.

This overseas position is expected to begin on June 11, 2022 and end on August 6, 2022. These dates are subject to change pending public health conditions and required approvals for overseas travel. Interested candidates may also be considered for the position of Program Assistant in future summer cycles.

 Application Requirements · Updated curriculum vitae (CV) · Cover letter · Contact information for two references The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets 
Assignment Category: Part-time temporary
Campus: Pittsburgh
Required Attachments: Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Other (see posting for additional details)

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