Regional Director - Latin America & the Caribbean at Spirit of America

Reports to: Vice President, Program Operations.

Supervisees: Up to four program managers of mixed levels of seniority.

Location: This position will be based in a Latin American capital to be determined collaboratively by the selected candidate and Spirit of America, or Miami, FL due to its strategic proximity to SOUTHCOM.

Travel: It will involve frequent (at least 50%) travel around the region, including to conflict zones.

Position Summary:

Are you looking to make a difference in the world by helping to save and improve lives? Are you energized by working at the intersection of US national security, private philanthropy, and global impact?

Spirit of America (SOA) seeks an experienced, strategic leader to serve as our new Regional Director to lead our initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean in close cooperation and coordination with US military, development, and diplomatic personnel. The Regional Director’s mission is to direct Spirit of America’s international operations in the region, utilizing private philanthropic funds to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. The RD will lead the design of a regional strategy to support US national security interests in the region and will supervise a small team of Program Managers in the design and implementation of lines of effort to support the strategy. 

A Spirit of America Regional Director must have boots-on-the-ground experience in conflict-affected environments as well as recent experience working on US stability and security operations. Prior US military service will be particularly well regarded. Candidates with overseas experience with the US Department of State, USAID, and other US government civilian agencies as well as returned Peace Corps volunteers are also encouraged to apply. Optimism, patience, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a great sense of humor in the face of adversity are also essential. Complete Spanish fluency is also required. 

Responsibilities:

The Regional Director will: 

• Cultivate influential relationships and strengthen current relationships throughout the region.
• Lead the development of a regional strategy to support US national security interests in LAC.
• Develop projects and initiatives in where Spirit of America's assistance can make a rapid and important impact on mission success, as well as complement, or fill gaps in US government and military programs.
• Identify, develop, and manage regional stakeholder relationships with US military command elements, US Embassies, other USG partners, and other key interlocutors.
• Coach, develop and mentor program managers through the full project lifecycle. 
• Oversee the development, execution, and closeout of projects supported with Spirit of America fund to a high standard of accountability and performance, including HR, finance and compliance.
• Serve as a regional and sub-regional expert for culture, politics, security, and US policy.
• Monitor, evaluate, and document the results of and lessons learned from projects supported by Spirit of America in the assigned region and across the regional team.
• Maintain and deliver timely financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting.
• Collaborate with the strategic opportunities team related to larger initiatives which touch the region. 
• Partner with SOA's Development and Marketing teams, creating appropriate content to engage donors and partners through media while reviewing and proving input into the content developed by the broader regional team.
• Communicate and closely coordinate activities and projects with all levels of US military and civilian personnel to include general officers, ambassadors, and major organizational donors.
• Closely monitor regional security and safety and coordinate with the VP of Program Operations to ensure sound risk management and a high standard of personnel, physical, operational and cyber security. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline
• At least fifteen years' professional experience in international development, diplomacy, or defense contexts, of at least three years should be on the ground in fragile or conflict-affected states leadership role
• Complete professional fluency in English and Spanish
• Proven ability to engage directly with local populations and partner with host nation militaries, governments, and NGOs to solve problems
• Significant Ie in direct counterinsurgency, stability operations, humanitarian/disaster relief, and/or non-lethal-effects Ie at the field level in current US stability and security operations
• Deep knowledge of the culture, history, politics, and security dynamics in Latin America and the Caribbean based on work or academic study
• A solid understanding of America’s 3Ds of foreign affairs – defense, diplomacy, and development – and of USG interagency entities, roles, and processes is essential
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, a strong attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills are required

Preferred:

• Master's degree
• Prior US military service will be particularly well regarded
• Substantive experience working in a US Embassy, in close collaboration with a US Country Team, or in a Department of State/USAID regional bureau is a plus
• Previous travel outside of military service (study abroad, NGO work, USG experience
• Program/project management experience is very relevant
• A willingness to work outside regular hours to accommodate for meetings in different time zones

Compensation:
Salary ranges from $145,000 to $195,000 based on experience. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, and 403(b) contribution match to 4%. 

Spirit of America:
 Spirit of America is a nonprofit founded in 2003 to engage citizens in preserving the promise of a free and better life. For over two decades, Spirit of America has united the American people with our troops and diplomats in common cause: to defend freedom, strengthen the frontlines of democracy, and secure a free and better life for those who seek it. We work with US troops and diplomats to identify places where America’s help is needed most. Then we deliver assistance with flexibility and speed through our troops and a network of local partners around the world.

We are recognized by Congress and have an agreement with the Department of Defense that allows US troops to collaborate with us to build goodwill and deliver assistance at scale. We fill the gaps between what government can do and what is needed.

Our work saves and improves lives, prevents conflict, and strengthens America’s security. In the world’s toughest places, people experience the best of who Americans are and what we stand for.

Spirit of America is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with applicable law, we prohibit discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniformed service member status, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age (40 and over), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics) or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all people involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.