Location:

Venezuala, Bolivia or Brazil 

Agreement term:

Interim Regional Representative, 8 months

Anticipated start date(s) include:

April 1, 2025

Agreement type:

Interim

Description: 

This will be an interim position (8 months) working together with the Latin America and Caribbean Desk Director and Manager, LAC Regional Representatives and Companion Churches in the regions, specifically with Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela. The individual may work with other companions across the LAC region as work unfolds and requests for specific assistance with Programming, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) are made. The ELCA accompanies our companion churches by sending grants to the region and use the PME process for transparency and accountability. The interim Regional Representative will primarily be responsible for working with the EGM (ELCA GrantMaker) system that the ELCA uses, while coaching and guiding the companions with their processes. Proficiency in the Spanish language is mandatory for this interim position.

General Description:  

The ELCA, Service and Justice stewards relationships with companions in every corner of the globe; funds long-term, sustainable health and development projects; responds to international disasters; listens to companion church bodies and supports companion priorities by sending global personnel and through program grants and leadership development opportunities; and receives the gifts of Christian witness from the global church to build our own capacity in the United States.

Through Programming, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) of grants this position extends the work of the Service and Justice Unit Area Desks to companion churches, institutions, and related partners in the Latin America region. All job responsibilities are carried out in close collaboration and communication with, and under the direction of, the Area Desk Director, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Timeline:

• Application Opens: March 2025
• Interviews: March 2025
• Online ELCA Orientation: TBD
• Deploy to country of service: TBD

Assignment Includes:

Program Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

· Fulfill those Area Desk grant-related Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME) responsibilities most effectively and efficiently carried out by the regional representative, with particular attention to companions in Venezuela, Bolivia and Brazil

Communications: In consultation with the area Director for Latin America and the Caribbean to:

· Communicate with companions regarding PME matters

· Work with the Area Desk at channelizing communications from the ELCA ecology to companions in the region.

Mission Interpretation

· Collect stories from across the LAC region and work with other regional representatives to finalize the stories for distribution.

Administration

· Create and format communications with companions related to reporting, audits, grant agreements, etc.

· Develop a proposal for the onboarding of new companion leadership in the region. 

· Participating in biweekly LAC Team virtual meetings

· Occasional travel to visit ELCA companions in the region for project monitoring purposes.

This is an ELCA sponsorable position:

• Quarterly newsletters to sponsoring congregations and individuals
• Virtual visits throughout the year with sponsoring congregations and individuals
• In-person visits upon return from the assigned position (every 2 years, travel back to the US to visit sponsoring congregations and individuals)

Experience and Skills:

• Knowledge and commitment to the global mission of the ELCA and an appreciation for the church in all its expressions; knowledge and appreciation for the values, customs and decision-making processes in cultures specific to the region.  
• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, program implementation, project management and evaluation.
• Willingness to be involved with ministry in the companion church where assigned to work
• Collaborative work style within and across teams and skill in collaborative decision making.  
• Demonstrated and well-developed competencies in intercultural ministry. 
• Bilingual: English and Spanish (proficiency) 
• Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church.
• Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other faiths.
• Respect for beliefs, values, and customs of church and culture where assigned.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills that demonstrate understanding and compassion.
• Demonstrate ability to carry out responsibilities and the ability to adapt to different standards and practices.
• Ability to work within the framework of local administration.
• Adaptable and flexible, sense of humor - good physical and emotional health.
• Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA.

Terms and Conditions:

• This position is supported under the terms of ELCA Service and Justice Expectations and Support. The Interim Regional Representative provisions include international airfare, medical health coverage, housing, utilities (at 70%), salary and other potential benefits. Interim Regional Representative Terms and Conditions will be outlined in the Letter of Agreement
• The monthly base salary is based on years of experience with Goods and Services Differential (GSD).
• There is no provision for spouse, partner or children for this Interim Pastor position. If the candidate is married and has children all travel and living expenses would be the responsibility of the candidate.

Physical Effort:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employees will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

International travel often involves overnight flights, carrying heavy suitcases, long car/van rides over very difficult roads, extensive walking on site visits, and requires very good general health 

A psychological evaluation is required.

Benefits:

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees and dependent, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer additional benefits upon deployment to the country of service.