/ Peace Corps/Ecuador
Statement of Work
TRAINING SUPPORT SPECIALIST (TSS)

Updated: 08/30/16

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

Reports to:As a key member of the Peace Corps Training team, the Training Support Specialist (TSS) is under the direct supervision of the Master Trainer (MT) and the general supervision of the Training Manager. The Program and Training Specialist (PTS) will oversee and coordinate the activities of the Training Support Specialist during Pre service Training. The PTS will assign him/her duties as required. The TSS will work primarily at the Training Center, but may also travel throughout the country to support Trainees and Volunteers.

Coordinates with: Program and Training Specialists (PTS), Language and Cultural Facilitators (LCFs), Training Manager, Program Manager, and PCVLs.

Position Summary

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Pre-Service Training:

Assists the Programming and Training Specialist (PTS) in the process of planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation of the technical training. As part of the training staff, assists PCTs in their cross-cultural adaptation by modeling an appropriate cultural behavior and providing cultural insights and feedback as needed.

Planning

Under the guidance of the PTS, carries out tasks, does research, and provides information needed for the design and implementation of the technical syllabus during Pre-Service Training.Must review and be familiar with the syllabus, technical manual, technical sessions, competencies and previous technical report of PST in order to assist PTS with the following:

  • Contact local organizations, schools, and other institutions to be visited by PCTs that will play a role in their training. Maintains contact information for each and provides regular updates to PTSs for coordination purposes.
  • Researches updated technical data and resources needed for the sessions, as requested.
  • Makes preliminary logistical arrangements for all practicum activities and field trips.
  • Assists PTSs with budgetary and clerical tasks while planning the training curriculum.

Implementation of Training

  • Facilitates sessions, acts as a session aide or participates in sessions of all training components as needed, for example, facilitation of cross-cultural discussion groups, leading a processingdiscussion after a technical trip activity, or participation in a health and safety panel.
  • Attends weekly meetings with LCC and/or LCFs, promoting effective and open communication and following-up the agreements, with the aim of helping PTSsintegrate Language and Culture elements in the technical training in a well-coordinated fashion with such area.
  • As part of the training team, the TSS plays a role in the cross-cultural adaptation and problem solving process of trainees by providing them with feedback and guidance following the established coaching model.
  • Participate in the formal support and evaluation process of Trainees, including the Technical Demonstrations and Assessment Interviews.
  • Provide logistical support for the planning, design and implementation of all Technical Training events including the Technical Trip.
  • Provides logistical support to the PTSsby calling the working contacts, creating itineraries,planning the transportation, lodging,and budget of all field trips:
  • Technical Trip
  • PCV Visit
  • Site Visit
  • Practicums
  • Is available for driving PC vehicles throughout all the PST.
  • Assists PTSs in elaborating a final report at the end of training. (See Technical Trainer Manual for guidelines.)

Other Training Activities:

  • Performs a variety of administrative and clerical duties and responsibilities in close coordination with Master Trainer (MT) and Training Manager (TM) to plan, develop, implement, and manage projects as needed at the training center.
  • Supports Training activities during Pre-Service Training, In-Service Training conferences, Workshops and other events for Peace Corps/Ecuador at the training center.
  • Serves as Training Duty Officer per assigned Duty Officer Schedule.

Safety & Security

  • Immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and CD. Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

Other Duties

  • The PSC may be required to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to PST/IST training site, or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer. The PSC may also be required to courier cash to PC trainees or volunteers. The PSC will not be functioning as a procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient.In the case of dealing with vendors, the PSC will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer.
  • The Contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the Peace Corps to be reassigned or transferred permanently to another Peace Corps Post/Headquarters or perform temporary duties (TDY) as required and to travel to other assignments within Peace Corps’ as assigned. Any such reassignment or transfer shall be subject to agreement of the Contractor. The Statement of Work as defined will remain the same; however the duties may be subject to change as determined by the Contracting Officer.

Desired qualifications

Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or one year experience in executive secretarial position orprofessional administrative assistant. The fields of education, community development, health, youth development.

Experience:

  • Two years of experience as a professional administrative assistant or executive secretary is required.
  • Experience in NGOs or institutions where candidates have had to plan events, budgets, logistics for large groups and have had to complete clerical and administrative tasks.
  • Experience in the fields of education, community development, health, or youth development is a plus.

Language:

Written and oral communication in Spanish and English. Inlingua level 4desired.

Skills and Abilities :

  • Strong organizational and administrative skills.
  • Proven soft skills that allow the incumbent to keep a positive attitude and foster team work even in stressful situations.
  • Ability to perform and achieve results with little supervision.
  • Creativity and pro-activeness towards challenging situations.
  • Ability to work effectively with groups both from the US and Ecuador. First-hand experience of US culture is a plus.
  • Capability of working with MS Office package
  • Flexibility to travel to different parts of the country (field based travel)
  • Valid driver’s license and ability to drive on rugged roads.

POSITION ELEMENTS:

  1. Supervision Received: Master Trainer (MT), with the collaboration of the Training Manager (TM)
  2. Available Guidelines: Training Plan, Project plans for each Peace Corps project, PCV Handbook, technical manuals, the Staff Handbook, the PC Manual and various materials.
  3. Exercise of Judgment: The incumbent can use available guidelines for most matters; however, must be able to make proper judgments when the needs arise.
  4. Authority to make Commitments: The Training Support Specialist is limited to make commitments for Peace Corps when authorized by the Contracting Officer or Country Director.
  5. Nature, Level, and Purpose of Contacts: N/A
  6. Supervision Exercised: N/A.
  7. Time required performing full range of duties after entry into the position: 6 months

CLEARANCEDraft: DPT:CD:

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