Global Fellow

Global Playground Global Fellows will serve as Global Playground’s ambassadors to the local communities at its current and future project sites in Asia, East Africa, West Africa and Central America through four rotations at various sites, of up to six months per rotation. Specifically, Global Fellows will engage children in cross-cultural exchanges both in and outside of the classroom. In addition, they will develop specialized curriculum for students which promotes cross-cultural understanding and collaborate with other Global Fellows and with teachers in the United States to engage children in different parts of the world in cross-cultural dialogue. Over the course of the fellowship, Global Fellows are expected to familiarize themselves with the needs of the local communities where they work and serve as key liaisons through which Global Playground will help improve the quality of education at its project sites.

Responsibilities (Cross-cultural initiatives: 50%; Reporting: 25%; Miscellaneous: 25%):

-Maintaining the Global Playground website and social media

-Leading fundraising and recruitment efforts

-Managing partner relationships between Global Playground and its seven local partners

-Investigating future project sites

-Advising Teaching Fellows

-Facilitating new fellow training

-Teach cross-cultural programs within existing courses (e.g., English, math, science, history, art, etc.) and participate in the educational and human development of children at Global Playground’s project sites

- In collaboration with other Fellows, with Global Playground’s Director of Learning and Development, and with teachers at the project site, work to incorporate cross-cultural dialogue into the existing curriculum, as well as develop new lesson plans as needed to engage children in the host country in cross-cultural dialogue with children at Global Playground’s other project sites and at schools in the United States

- Assist the school and community with other projects, like simple construction and painting, or, with approval, create your own activities for students and members of the community outside of school hours

- Utilize technology as a means of facilitating cross-cultural dialogue

- Represent Global Playground by playing an active role in the local community and school and by attending various events hosted by the community and school

- Represent Global Playground to our partnering organizations in each host country

- Serve as a positive role model for and mentor to children

- Train local teachers at Global Playground’s schools

- Report bimonthly to the Executive Director on activities at Global Playground’s project site and meet monthly with partnering organization

- Assist the Executive Director and coordinate occasional visits to project sites by Board members, donors, and others

- Prior to and following the fellowship, participate in meetings in Washington, D.C. to plan for and debrief the Fellows experience

Qualifications

- At least 18 or older

- Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in education, sciences, and/or humanities

- Several years of experience working with children, in particular, in the field of education (e.g., previous teaching experience, education degree, student counseling, etc.)

- Relevant professional experience; preferably several years of rigorous work experience within an organization

- Ability to take initiative, use judgment, and act as the primary on-the-ground decision maker for Global Playground

- Interest and ability to incorporate technology in the classroom

- Appreciation of cultural differences, evidenced by experience living abroad or traveling to different countries, or facility with foreign languages

- Ability to respond quickly to organizational demands while living and working in a developing country.

- Sound judgment, reliability, and the ability to represent a multi-national NGO in a conscientious, professional manner

- Creativity, maturity, flexibility, sense of humor, dynamic personality, and ability to work independently

- Cultural sensitivity and self-awareness, particularly of how what one says and does is perceived by others who may not share the same cultural perspective

- Meticulous attention to detail

- Experience working with WordPress and doing graphic design

- Experience with media and video editing

- Passion for nonprofit work and advancing education in developing countries

- Willingness to commit to a two-year term

Compensation

Global Playground Fellows receive a budget of approximately $15,000/year that is intended to cover all costs. This includes international and domestic travel, basic health insurance, and living and personal expenses. Global Playground and/or its partnering organizations will work with each Fellow to coordinate travel to the host country and lodging near the project site. Note: most U.S. federal student loans can be deferred until the completion of the Fellowship.