Russia Course Coordinator

LEVEL: Senior - Subject Matter Expert
LOCATION:  Arlington, VA
TYPE: Consultant/Contract

​DEADLINE: January 10, 2020 by 5pm 
ABOUT
McColm & Company (McCO) is a mission-driven consulting firm working to help clients achieve critical development and diplomacy objectives. We work with clients to build skills and connections that ensure stability and growth. McCO offers a suite of cross cutting core capabilities to design and implement solutions across three primary areas of practice, including policy & diplomacy, economic growth and trade, and strategic partnerships. The firm’s core capabilities include training and capacity building, research and evaluation, program management, and performance improvement. 
 
DESCRIPTION
​McColm & Company seeks a subject matter expert instructor to design, deliver, and manage a 5 day course covering the culture, history, politics, economy, security, and other key elements and dynamics of the country/region. 

​This course is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the forces that have shaped modern Russia and continue to influence the course of each country’s development domestically and internationally, especially those issues that most affect relations with the United States. The course involves invited subject matter experts drawn from the State Department, other USG agencies, think-tanks, academia, international organizations and the diplomatic community. Course segments cover U.S. relations with Russia, history and issues of historical memory, government and politics, demographic, societal and economic institutions and performance, challenges to the EU and NATO, and foreign affairs more generally. The seminar combines short lectures, class discussions, field trips, documentaries, and other participatory activities such as debates and oral presentation in class, and is supported by readings.

TERMS OF REFERENCE
The course is 5 days in length, beginning February 24, 2020 and ending February 28, 2020. ​

  1. Design, manage, organize, and conduct the course at FSI or the Consultant’s location. Course delivery takes place at FSI campus according to pre-determined schedule.
  2. Ensure course design and delivery adheres to Area Studies instructional design and delivery pillars, and is responsive to technical guidance from the Area Studies Chair and Leadership.
  3. Ensure course materials use FSI provided templates and branding formats for consistent classroom experience.
  4. Be physically present at FSI for each delivery of the course to serve as Course Coordinator according to the pre-determined FSI schedule.
  5. Make substantive lecture presentations as part of the course in the areas of his/her own expertise and be prepared to substitute for any scheduled speaker or other activity in the event unforeseen circumstances prevent that speaker/activity from being presented as scheduled. Introduce guest lecturers, lead class discussion, and present study materials.
  6. Design and deliver the course using a variety of dynamic facilitation and instruction techniques to include lectures, language integration, role plays, panel moderations, class discussions, group exercises, and other teaching methodologies.
  7. Develop schedules for each class offering, detailing topics and presenters.
  8. Identify and invite guest speakers to give presentations to the class, ensuring they are informed as to the necessary scope and objectives for their presentations to fulfill the requirements of the course design.
  9. Identify and invite subject matter experts and arrange for guest lectures by such experts from the government, academic, diplomatic and business fields, as appropriate, to whom the Department of State will pay an honoraria and related expenses when administratively approved via the Company.
  10. Ensure that course materials, including power point presentations, are well maintained with up to date information prior to each course delivery.
  11. Meet with the Area Studies Chair as required - typically once per delivery - to undertake an after action review of the most recent courses and discuss course planning and revisions. This meeting may take place in person at FSI or remotely, according to the needs of the Chair.
  12. Coordinate with the Area Studies support staff to ensure that the classroom has adequate resource materials such as maps, videos, and readings. Ensure that the course materials that are not student takeaways are collected and stored at the end of the session.
  13. Require students to sign the sign-in sheets for registration credit provided by the Area Studies support staff.
  14. Ensure that the course evaluations are electronically distributed by the Course Assistant and encourage students to complete the evaluations.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
  • PhD preferred, Master's degree required
  • Evidence of substantive expertise and recognition as an expert on the country or region, as evidenced by published works, media appearances, past teaching or training experience, university instruction or similar.
  • Fluent English required; fluency in a local language strongly desired.
  • Evidence of experience with instructional design and delivery of engaging training for adult learners, including demonstrated evidence of dynamic and interactive instruction approaches and capabilities.
  • Ability to solve problems creatively and multi-task
  • Ability to work independently, under deadline pressure, with diverse teams, and effectively liaise with State Department and USG personnel.
  • Expert in Microsoft Office - PowerPoint, Word, Excel
  • Must be available to fulfill pre-established course schedule according to FSI requirements.
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit a detailed CV highlighting subject matter expertise and teaching/training experience via this webform. 
 
The deadline for submissions is January 10, 2020 at 5pm. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and interviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, early/immediate applications encouraged. 
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
McColm & Company is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental handicap. We value diversity.
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