JOB TITLE:   PROGRAM ASSISTANT
JOB TYPE:   INTERNSHIP
PROJECT:   CRITICAL LANGUAGE SCHOLARSHIP (CLS)
HOST INSTITUTION:  AMIDEAST FIELD OFFICE, OMAN
                                       DEPARTMENT SCHOLARSHIPS& EDUCATION PROGRAMS
DURATION:   MAY 2013 – AUGUST 2013
LOCATION:   NIZWA
PRIMARY SUPERVISOR:  CLS INSTITUTE DIRECTOR, AMIDEAST/OMAN

BACKGROUND:
In summer 2013, AMIDEAST/Oman and the University of Nizwa will welcome 27 university and graduate students to the Sultanate as they embark on intensive Arabic language studies through the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) program, funded by the Department of State’s Educational & Cultural Affairs Bureau. These students will spend eight weeks in Nizwa studying Arabic for no less than five hours each day, participate in after-class activities in Arabic and travel to key locations in Oman that promote both cultural and linguistic immersion.

The Program Assistant is primarily responsible for ensuring smooth communication between all stakeholders in the program and providing on-the-ground support to the Resident Director, the university, Arabic instructors and students. The Resident Assistant should be extremely knowledgeable about Omani culture and society, be extremely proficient in Arabic and be well-connected in Nizwa.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Follow all Education Abroad protocols and guidelines
• Escort students on all excursions including, but not limited to, shopping trips, site-seeing activities, after-class activities, doctor visits and all weekend trips outside of Nizwa
• Be reachable by phone at all times (phone will be provided)
• Work with the Resident Director and Arabic Language Coordinator to plan and organize after-class activities in Arabic
• Maintain his/her use of Arabic as much as possible at all times with students
• Assist the Resident Director & Arabic Language Coordinator with general program logistics, transportation, supplementary activities and study tour logistics as required
• Produce daily reports for the Institute Director highlighting activities, excursions, special discussions or lectures as well as any issues or illnesses that may arise

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including advanced proficiency in both English and Arabic
• Previous experience as a chaperone (e.g. camp counselor), work with university-aged students and/or participation in a study abroad program
• Advanced level of maturity exhibited by sound judgment, emotional intelligence & stability, flexibility and willingness to accept responsibility
• Must possess problem-solving skills, be a team player and a self-starter
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Cross-cultural sensitivity
• Availability to work hours in excess of 12 hours per day and on weekends
• Willingness to be a primary point of contact for students by phone 24 hours/day for the entire duration of the program
• Availability for travel within Oman
• Omani citizen
• Extensive knowledge of Nizwa
• Native Arabic speaker

ABOUT AMIDEAST:
America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc., or AMIDEAST (www.amideast.org), is a private, nonprofit organization that strengthens mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa. Every year, AMIDEAST provides appropriate English language skills training, educational advising, and testing services to hundreds of thousands of students and professionals in the Middle East and North Africa; supports numerous institutional development projects in the region; and administers academic exchange programs. Founded in 1951, AMIDEAST is headquartered in Washington, DC, with a network of field offices in Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, West Bank/Gaza, and Yemen.

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive, and the Program Assistant will also perform other reasonable related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management. Interested applicants should contact the Institute Director, Kathryn Conrad, via email (kconrad@amideast.org).