Call for Mentors: The IDEAL Workshop (Southeast Europe)

American Councils for International Education is seeking experienced professionals who can mentor alumni of the FLEX and YES programs in utilizing one of the following approaches to address community needs: arts, sports, digital storytelling and social media, or debate and public speaking.  The event will take place at a venue near Prishtina, Kosova, February 28-March 4, 2018, preceded by a mandatory mentor training February 26-27.  Accommodation and travel costs are fully covered by the program.  In addition, each mentor will receive a symbolic honorarium of $300 for their role in the workshop.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Through The IDEAL Workshop, YES and FLEX alumni from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia will learn to identify challenges facing their communities; develop a better understanding of these challenges, including their root causes and possible solutions; establish plans for addressing the challenges identified in the communities in which they live; act on these plans; and ultimately lead by example.  The workshop aims to build cross-border relationships and promote regional cooperation while preparing participants to address community needs and social concerns that transcend borders.  Each participant will be required in advance of the workshop to identify and research a specific issue or concern in his/her community, and will receive support in conducting effective needs assessments from Alumni Coordinators and workshop mentors through two virtual pre-workshop meetings.  During the workshop itself, participants will have the opportunity to develop plans for addressing the needs they identified utilizing one of the following approaches: arts, sports, digital storytelling and social media, or debate and public speaking.  Sessions will be both practical and collaborative, utilizing a “training of trainers” approach that will prepare participants to not only utilize the approach they are exploring, but effectively share their knowledge and skills with others after the conclusion of the workshop.  Activities promoting leadership, teamwork skills, and teaching skills will be woven together with theme-oriented content.  Following the workshop, each participant will be required to hold at least one activity that expands the impact of the program to their home communities, with support of up to $250 in grant funding.

ELIGIBILITY AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS

IDEAL Workshop mentors will work in pairs to lead small groups of up to 15 alumni of the FLEX and YES program in Southeast Europe in a series of theme trainings, site visits, and community engagement programs. Mentors will be responsible for developing the curriculum for their theme group prior to the start of the workshop, with guidance and support from American Councils staff.  In addition to planning and implementing theme trainings, mentors will also be responsible for supporting trainings in project design and management led by American Councils staff. All activities will be conducted in English.

In order to be considered for a mentoring position, a candidate must:
– Be an alumna/us of a U.S. Government-sponsored exchange program, such as FLEX or YES, or a current Peace Corps Volunteer
– Be from, or currently reside in, one of the participating countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro, or Serbia
– Have demonstrable training, expertise, and experience in utilizing one of the workshop theme areas as a tool for addressing community needs; these areas are arts, sports, digital storytelling and social media, and debate and public speaking
– Have past teaching or training experience and the ability to develop a training curriculum in the designated theme area
– Have exceptional English language skills
– Be available to attend and actively participate in both the workshop and pre-workshop training in Kosova for the entire period February 26-March 4, 2018
– Be available to meet virtually with American Councils and program participants no less than twice a month during the months of January and February

APPLICATION GUIDELINES AND SELECTION PROCEDURE

Mentors will be selected by a panel of evaluators based on application materials, interviews, and professional background and experience.  Interested candidates must complete and submit the online application, including all supporting documents requested, by November 19, 2017, 11:59 PM CET.  Candidates who are selected for interviews will be notified by November 30, and interviews will be conducted in the period November 20 to December 8.  Only those candidates selected for interviews will be notified.

For questions, please contact Rebecca Strattan at rebecca@americancouncilssee.org.