Youth Group Leader – ALI

Job Description

June 16 – July 31, 2009

(These dates include staff orientation & return travel from Morocco)

Legacy International seeks two qualified staff to lead 20 American teens on a 6-week language-culture study program to Morocco. 

Youth Group Leader Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for effectively managing the group dynamic and ensuring safety throughout the program, beginning with the pre-departure orientation in Washington, DC until the group’s return to the U.S.
  • Attend Arabic language classes along with the students, closely monitoring classroom behavior between students and teachers and report to Program Director.
  • Closely monitor behavior in host family settings reporting potential problems to Center for Language & Culture (CLC) staff. (CLC is Legacy’s partner in Morocco.) (For details:  http://www.clcmorocco.org)
  • Conduct weekly individual and group debriefs with students to deepen learning and evaluate program effectiveness.
  • Send weekly progress reports to Program Director.
  • Travel with the group on all outings.
  • Mentor youths, helping with cultural adjustment and offering behavioral guidance; making sure timely communications with parents have occurred; solving any host family / roommate problems; monitoring cultural and religious needs.  Anticipate the needs of the youths.  Be proactive.
  • Create opportunities for cultural sharing and facilitate cross-cultural communication.
  • Serve as part of the CLC program team to create a warm, harmonious learning environment for the youths, maintaining standards of health, safety, and program quality consistent with program goals, and offering consistent guidance and discipline as necessary.
  • Oversee evaluation processes and assist with post program activities.
  • Manage small travel budget and reconcile balance at the end of trip.  Returns all documents to Program Director in a timely manner.

Selection Criteria & Major Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
  • Conversant to fluent Arabic language ability. (Preferable if applicant also has some working knowledge of French.)
  • Proven ability to work with and lead high school students, preferably in a travel program setting..
  • Proven ability to adapt to cultures / settings different from one’s own.  Preference given to those who have traveled in Arab world.
  • Ability to mentor others and facilitate creative and self-motivated learning. Facile with creating multiple strategies for keeping the group engaged in a long term learning process.
  • Ability to work in a team setting.
  • Demonstrated practical, working knowledge of: group management, discussion leading, creative/critical thinking, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with others, including the media and community-at-large, serving as a representative of Legacy International.
  • Ability to establish priorities, respond to unanticipated needs, and work under pressure.
  • Receptive to and knowledgeable of delegates’ cultural, spiritual, and personal needs.
  • Flexibility, ability to take initiative, and a sense of humor.
  • Ability and aptitude to properly administer the group’s budget / travel funds, as established by Legacy International, maintaining an accurate record of expenditures following Legacy’s fiscal requirements.
  • First aid and CPR certified (current).
  • Stamina and sound health to work in hot North African climate. (Those hired will be required to submit a current medical history.)
  • U.S. Citizen or authorized to work in the U.S.

Salary: negotiable (Legacy also covers air travel from Washington, DC, and all related program expenses.) Accommodations will include hotel or home stays, similar to that of the youths.

Please send application, references & resume by Mar 29, 2010:

Leila Baz, Staff Outreach, email: leila@legacyintl.org; fax: 540-297-1860