Country Director, Turkmenistan 2024

FLSA: Exempt

SUMMARY:

The Country Director is responsible for providing management and leadership to support the effective delivery of all programs that American Councils operates in Turkmenistan.

American Councils Turkmenistan employs more than 50 staff members and administers a diverse portfolio of education programming in Ashgabat and in regional cities. Programming includes the Future Leaders Exchange Program (FLEX), EducationUSA, and C5+ONE (Opening Networks through English), as well as other initiatives funded locally to support public diplomacy, such as programming and operation of three regional American Corners. This position oversees all operations of the Ashgabat office and provides direction and insight to program leadership responsible for specific programs.  The Country Director maintains key relationships with colleagues across American Councils, and stakeholders in Turkmenistan, actively developing the portfolio and enhancing the impact of programs operating in Turkmenistan.  Direct delivery of program activity for some programs is involved; rigorous seasonal travel within Turkmenistan as well as some regional travel are required. The Country Director reports to the Regional Director for Central Asia located in Almaty, Kazakhstan and coordinates regularly with Washington and field-based program managers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 Oversight and Leadership:

• Provides overall supervision of American Councils programming, staff and any sub-recipients, to include training, guiding and monitoring performance;
• Addresses urgent situations that may arise and provides assistance as needed with on-program support of participants;
• Advises senior leadership and program managers on Turkmenistan’s social, political, economic and cultural conditions, as they may affect programs and desired approaches;
• Represents American Councils and programs in individual consultations, public appearances, program orientations, and in meetings with potential and existing partners;
• Maintains and develops American Councils organizational relations in country with relevant U.S. government offices and institutions (the U.S. embassy/consulate, USAID, and other U.S. government agencies); and with the host country government and private institutions (government ministries, agencies and offices; national corporations; institutional partners); and
• Participates in designing and developing new programs and seeking new funding sources, and contributes to proposals.

Program Administration:

• Oversees and assists in implementing and reporting on activities, for all programs delivered in Turkmenistan for citizens of Turkmenistan;  Structures work for a variety of programs operating under different management models;
• Monitors all activities to assure timely and proper conduct of competitions, tracking of all applicant and participant files, and strict adherence of activities to program policies, rules, and guidelines; Coordinates and supervises all logistics for events:
• Participates directly in FLEX recruitment, including recruitment travel, presentations, interviews with finalist candidates, testing, correspondence, and meetings with parents, applicants and finalists;
• Coordinates alumni activity planning and delivery of appropriate activities for alumni of all programs, oversees alumni assistants, coordinates updates to alumni information, submits regular reports on alumni activity; and
• Meets with ministry and U.S. government officials regularly to provide appropriate information and overview of competition processes and alumni activities; keeps them informed appropriately;

Administration and Finance:

• Manages all general office administrative matters including but not limited to negotiating contracts; interacting with landlords, and maintaining proper work environment;
• Develops country office practices that are in compliance with local legislation, U.S. grant requirements, global American Councils policies, and program policies or procedures;
• Provides DC office with monthly finance reports and budgets, monitors all outgoing and incoming funds;
• Hires for approved positions, prepares contracts and maintains files for host country national staff, trains and oversees staff, conducts performance reviews, monitors proper submission of timesheets; and
• Provides oversight for maintenance of local website and intranet materials pertinent to local office.

• Experience with management, oversight, and administration of a varied program portfolio, including budget management;
• Five or more years of supervisory experience; experience supervising host-country national staff preferred;
• Three of more years working/living overseas, preferably in the region; demonstrated interest in the region and its culture; and
• Strong understanding of the history and cultures of Central Asia and Turkmenistan;
• Experience traveling extensively and working under difficult conditions;
• Direct experience with the U.S. secondary and tertiary school system and living in U.S. communities;
• Superior English written and verbal communication skills, and professional proficiency in one or more languages used in the country (including Russian);
• Demonstrated cross-cultural skills; 
• Master's degree in international education or development, history, economics, or related area.

BENEFITS

This position is eligible for healthcare benefits.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

American Councils is committed to taking affirmative steps to enhance employment opportunities for minorities, women, veterans, and people with disabilities, and strives to ensure that meaningful employment and promotional opportunities are maintained for everyone. American Councils’ commitment to equal employment opportunity is based not only on federal requirements, but also on a longstanding commitment to maintaining a diverse workforce reflective of the communities in which we operate.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.