­Christian Reformed Church in North America (crcna)

­Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRCNA)

Position Description

PURPOSE

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. 
   Work with World Renew program staff on an integrated project in either Xieng Khouang or Phongsaly:
   

• 
  Work as a trainer/capacity builder/coach of Lao project staff to improve the quality and quantity of outcomes and impact
  
• 
  Visit village work regularly with project staff, doing this effectively requires learning the Lao language and culture so that our work engages the community members. This also requires using motorcycles and staying overnight in remote villages for a minimum of one week per month
  
• 
  Assist in community-level project monitoring and evaluation that supports further improvements to the participatory village planning and organizing process, including integrating how communities assess their own community capacity indicators
  
• 
  Provide support as needed to develop the monitoring and evaluation, planning and reporting requirements of multiple project donors
  
• 
  Develop the process of transformational values dialogue; form and pilot test various approaches with the staff
  
• 
  Provide expertise in the area of behavior change and communication for all sectors
  
• 
  Provide leadership and expertise in one of the specific project sectors of agriculture or health or community capacity building
  
• 
  Work with the project team to identify creative solutions for working in ethnic minority villages where Lao language is limited especially among women, including deepening understanding of worldview, culture and traditional arts
  

1. 
   Be a resource to the entire program in one area of technical expertise
   
2. 
   Providing input including advice and trainings, to other projects when requested. This includes spending approximately 2 weeks every two months with staff at project locations
   

1. 
   Finalize plans, reports and narratives as required with a focus on doing this with the World Renew-Laos staff so that staff capacity is built-up in the areas of collecting and analyzing data and report writing
   
2. 
   Set one’s own performance goals and review one’s own progress towards those goals on a six month basis in consultation and support by one’s supervisor
   
3. 
   Facilitate visits by donor representatives and/or home office staff and constituents as needed
   

1. 
   Writing stories of transformation and involvement in other World Renew fund raising efforts as required
   

1. 
   Perform miscellaneous tasks necessary for functioning in country (e.g. vehicle and computer maintenance, keeping travel visas current and so forth)
   
2. 
   Perform other duties as assigned
   

Supervisory Responsibilities

Qualifications

1. 
   Mature Christian committed to serving Jesus Christ and able to maintain close faith ties with the Lord though small group Bible study-worship groups, and by personal devotions. There are not large, established Christian churches
   
2. 
   Compassionate, respectful of other cultures and emotionally stable. Having a curiosity to learn and understand very different cultures and worldviews that may be antagonistic to one’s own beliefs and values. Within this context, be a catalyst both respecting the cultural differences of others while also being able to provoke critical reflection on aspects of the others’ culture that are not in conformity with Biblical values
   
3. 
   Commitment to core development and relief concepts, models and values
   
4. 
   Proactive and able to work with minimal supervision after the goals have been discussed and agreed
   
5. 
   Demonstrated ability to implement, improve and integrate community development programs through consultation, coaching and mentoring
   
6. 
   Able and willing to work in a team setting; able to develop team skills in others in a harmonious way as this is a high value in the Lao culture
   
7. 
   Basic competence in Microsoft Word and Excel is required
   

1. 
   A bachelor’s degree is required, specializing in health, agriculture or international development is definitely preferred
   
2. 
   At least two years of cross-cultural or community development experience
   

Language Skills

Physical Demands

1. 
   Living conditions with unreliable access to water and electricity and increased exposure to illness
   
2. 
   Stress of travel in a developing country
   
3. 
   Stress of visiting and staying in remote communities for periods of time