This is a senior line management position responsible for program in South America, Mexico, and Cuba. The Area Director (AD) in International Program carries out a joint program on behalf of MCC Canada and MCC U.S. This position is supervised by the International Program Director for MCC Canada but also works closely with the MCC U.S. International Program Director. This position works closely with the other Area Directors in International Program, primarily with the other Area Director in Latin America and Caribbean (LACA), to develop coherent strategies, priorities and networks.

The Area Director role may be filled with a married couple sharing the role, with a single person, or with a married candidate whose spouse is not interested in an area director role, in which case MCC would discuss possible roles for the spouse. MCC will consider a variety of options to support the Area Director in their roles and responsibilities, based on the qualified candidates who apply.

The primary Areas of responsibility include the following:
1. Develop and implement strategic priorities and directions for South America, Mexico, and Cuba in alignment with larger program and agency-wide priorities and directions, and in collaboration with the other Latin America and Caribbean Area (LACA) Director.
2. Appoint and supervise MCC Representatives and staff within South America, Mexico, and Cuba, as well as co-supervise with the other AD MCC’s regional staff in LACA.
3. Provide oversight and evaluation for programs within South America, Mexico, and Cuba.
4. Facilitate and provide leadership to collaborate, network and communicate within the Area as well as within the program department and between that program department and other parts of the MCC system.
5. Serve as part of the international program department’s senior leadership team, providing leadership and direction to the whole of International Programs.
6. Collaborate with the other Area Director for LACA to ensure effective programming and resource allocation across the continent.
7. Work with the Central America and Haiti ADs and regional staff to organize annual thematic partner encounters.

Responsibilities:

Contact/Relationships:
This position requires extensive contact with other program staff, Communications and Donor Relations, and Human Resources. The Area Director in International Program also has regular contact with outside consultants, constituents and personnel applicants.

The Area Director is responsible for communicating the organizational strategic direction to MCC International Programs and serves as the first point of contact for interpreting MCC policies for both MCC Reps and staff in South America, Mexico, and Cuba. This position provides written reports to the MCC U.S./Canada Boards at least twice a year, as well as other documentation for other departments. In collaboration with the International Program Director, the Area Director has the authority to approve program plans and budgets, along with making personnel-related decisions.

Supervision:
This position directly supervises and manages performance of the MCC Representatives and staff in South America, Mexico, and Cuba. Supervision includes conducting annual performance appraisals of MCC Representatives and office staff, ensuring that worker care is provided for international program staff and service workers (SWs), as well as helping to interpret and enforce MCC policy. With input from Human Resources, the Area Director is responsible for problem solving and reporting related to personnel issues. This position is responsible for the overall budget and program plans for South America, Mexico, and Cuba, working very closely with the other Area Director responsible for Central America and Haiti.

Complexity/Competencies:
The Area Director must be able to develop and articulate a vision for MCC’s work in South America, Mexico, and Cuba. As part of that vision, the Area Director develops and regularly updates the strategic plan for the Area and assists MCC Representatives in developing annual budgets and program plans which fit into the larger five-year plan. He/she makes decisions about the spending of MCC resources in accordance to the Area strategic plan and reports program activities to the International Program Director. The Area Director serves as a resource to MCC Communications and Donor Relations, Finance, Advocacy, Human Resources, and Global Service and Learning (GSL) Programs for issues related to their Area. The Area Director has the ultimate responsibility for programming and personnel in the Area, requiring creative approaches and solutions to a wide variety of issues. This position must be able to lead a team that is spread across South America, Mexico, and Cuba, in collaboration with the other LACA AD. Due to the nature of this position, the Area Director will need to prioritize between various, and often competing, requests for information and input.

Independent Action:
The Area Director exercises considerable independent judgment based on broadly defined outcomes in consultation with the International Program Director. The Area Director must be able to lead a team, provide motivation for organizational directions and multi-task among a variety of administrative functions. In developing the five-year strategic plan, the Area Director helps to set the priorities for South America, Mexico, and Cuba along with the Central America and Haiti AD, which often has implications for the broader organization. This position gives input for the development and implementation of MCC policies. He/she must be able to problem-solve as issues arise.

End Result:
The Area Director is responsible to harness and coordinate MCC’s resources in a way that results in impactful and mutually transformative programming in their Area of responsibility within the parameters set by the Board and senior management.

Major Responsibilities:
·Supervision – 50%
·Program Planning/Budget – 25%
·Relationship Building/Networking – 20%
·Program Department Leadership – 5%

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

1. B.A. required, Graduate Degree in relevant field preferred.
2. 5-7 years of international development experience with MCC or a similar organization.
3. Experience in Latin America preferred.
4. Fluency in English and Spanish (written and oral).
5. Knowledge of current issues in the field of disaster relief, sustainable community development, justice and peacebuilding.
6. Proficiency in program planning, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
7. Management experience with a demonstrated ability to lead a team, build consensus within a team, empower staff and move the agenda forward.
8. Strong relational, verbal and written communication and diplomatic skills in group leadership.
9. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.
10. Commitment to working with local churches, both Anabaptist and ecumenical.
11. Understanding of and respect for MCC’s supporting Anabaptist constituencies.
12. Ability to build a team of people in a variety of locations.
13. Demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural teams.
14. Willingness to travel up to 90 days/year.
15. Demonstrated ability to serve as MCC Area Director without bias or conflict of interest, with the ability to withstand intense pressure from local constituents.
​16. Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).