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FAQ: Language Program Management
Not entirely. This Manager builds relationships and interacts face to face with stakeholders for planning and management. These stakeholders include Church and community leaders and may include other organizations with the same concerns for a language community with whom planning and management takes place. It does involve desk work such as developing and reporting on project funding proposals, other reporting and working with office staff, as well as documenting progress in projects, etc.
We are looking for people willing to take up the following responsibilities for managing language programs:
Yes, it involves traveling to language locations, to offices of stakeholders and to meetings held in various places related to the above responsibilities. Under usual circumstances, international travel is not likely required.
Yes, in some locations and situations, assuming the presence of other support to the family during times of a parent’s absence, the relative degree of difficulty in a specific living situation, etc. It would also depend on the number and ages of the family members. The schooling of the children would need to be considered.
This experience would be a plus for this position. This would be supplemented with an individualized retooling process designed for additional competencies that may be needed for the role. They should also be able to work well with people, cope with meeting new challenges (especially cross-culturally), willing to be helpful in spiritual and personnel issues that team members may face. They need flexibility and a willingness to work as a partner with local people rather than as their ‘supervisor or boss’.
Yes, at least learning the Language of Wider Communication (LWC) such as the national or regional language of the area. A Manager of Programs and Partnerships (MPP) is expected to achieve a comfortable speaking competency in this language.
The amount and content of training will depend on the person’s current attitudes, skills, and knowledge. In general one should expect to spend at least 6 months in training of some kind, usually prior to leaving the home country. Some training may be in formal schools or programs; other types of training may be self-directed, working under a coach or mentor.
Some basic training will be provided. Depending on the outcome of the Assessment Process and identification of further competencies needed (the receiving entity can make these stipulations), some training or professional growth recommendations may be made that would involve training, for example at an SIL school. There are some courses and resources available within the Organization for most competencies. The amount and content of training will depend on the person’s current attitudes, skills and knowledge. In general one should expect to spend at least six months in training of some kind, usually prior to leaving the home country. Some training may be in formal schools or programs; other types of training may be self-directed, working under a coach or mentor. Normally, we do not expect that a person would be required to enroll for the usual “SIL training program”.
Yes, the Assessment process is intended to quantify / qualify / describe helpful previous experience.
In general, six months prior to leaving the home country. This will depend on results of the Assessment of competencies that are presently held and any other needed competency identified. Some training may need to be done pre-field and some training may be a part of internship training on the field. The person taking on this job is expected to establish a personal and professional growth plan, and to follow it.
No, but there needs to be an affiliation with some Partner Organization (i.e., an SIL Field Organization/NGO, National Church, etc.) involved in Language Program Management.
A university/tertiary degree (strongly recommended). Experience in planning and management or experience in a language program.
The job will require some skills in financial management and reporting.
This is possible, though it depends primarily on the ability of the husband and wife to work together well, and to model this before the teams with whom they are working.
Yes. Expect to have regular contact with national personnel in language projects, though you should not expect to be their superior / boss.
You should expect to commit to a normal, full field term (which is four years) at the minimum. You will spend part of that time in personal training, part of that time in language study, part of that time in getting oriented to your field entity, part of that time learning the particularities of the projects / programs under your responsibility. Along the way, many people will be investing in helping you, in the expectation that you will spend time in the role.
You will work with one or more coaches and trainers throughout your time of getting prepared for this role. If you have these concerns, (which are a normal part of taking on new roles), you can and should discuss them with those who are helping you. Wycliffe is interested in helping you succeed.
