Program Manager

Institutional Mission: 

SFS creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship. 

Position Title:  Program Manager (Gerente de Programa) 

Reports To:  Center Director  

Location:  SFS Center for Amazon Studies – Tarapoto, Peru 

Start Date:  As soon as possible

Compensation/Benefits: 

This position includes a three-month probationary period, with likely continuance depending on successful completion of duties and sufficient student enrollment. Salary is dependent on experience and qualifications.  

Position Summary: 

The SFS Center for Amazon Studies, located in Tarapoto Peru, seeks an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual to serve as a manager of a residential team of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to undergraduate students from U.S. institutions of higher learning who are spending a semester abroad. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in administration and operations with demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion and cultural competence in a learning environment.     

This position is responsible for program administration, operations, logistics of field excursions, supporting research, assisting in community outreach, oversight of center physical plant, supervision of Program Coordinator, Cooks, maintenance and other service providers and administrative staff along with other logistical arrangements. They will serve as part of a team of staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to students spending a semester abroad. 

Center Focus:  

This program seeks to understand both the conflicts and synergies of conservation and development. Students will gain a sense of the richness of different Amazonian regions of Peru—biodiversity, social and cultural diversity, and ecosystem services—while exploring strategies for sustainable livelihoods in this highly productive and diverse region of South America.    

The interdisciplinary themes of socio-ecological resilience, environmental justice, and conservation will guide our inquiry. Through coursework, field exercises, and Directed Research, students will study peoples’ dependence on the environment, examine the threats to the environment and to social networks, and explore the tools and strategies for mitigating the threats and promoting well-being among rural communities. A strong component of the program will be examining the ecological patterns and processes that underpin the high diversity of the region.  

You can learn more about the Center for Amazon Studies on the SFS website here: Amazon Studies – School for Field Studies 

SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion:  

SFS was founded with the belief that stewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people all around the world. Addressing complex global issues requires the active inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives and identities. We recognize that to successfully address threats to our natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designed to divide us. Just as we value biodiversity in all its forms, we value and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives and people in the countries where we work and the students and staff we serve.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

SFS Program Manager positions are different than many other university positions. Program Managers are integral members of the Center’s communal living model. The faculty and staff team at each Center works closely and collaboratively to deliver a field-based interdisciplinary program, where programming days can be long and active. The program does not follow a nine to five model. From time to time, position may require traveling with student group to field sites and field trips as scheduled and requested by Center Director 

Administration and Operations

• Supervise non-academic staff (Program Coordinator and Cooks) and external service providers (accounting, legal) activities in coordination with Center Director.
• Oversee the purchasing of supplies, food, equipment and services needed for the operation of the Center .
• Manage bookkeeping and accounting of all program and operational expenditures.
• Ensure submitting all receipts to HQ monthly, justifying amounts wired and uploading all expenditures information in the institutional accounting system.
• Set up and maintain Center inventory system with regular reporting to Headquarters.
• Liaise with the Center Director on operational issues, along with the landlord.
• Manage operations and logistics according to academic program schedule.
• Ensure that appropriate center systems and equipment are in place to facilitate effective educational programming for students.
• Scanning and forwarding to HQ any relevant documentation for operations (Peruvian laws, staff information and documents, relevant licenses and certifications, etc.).
• Ensuring maintenance and securing of any SFS vehicles and off programming, including insurances and license agreements.
• Organizing supplies for program use on site.
• Liaising with cooking staff to ensure food delivery and storage during program, considering allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Ensure that Risk Management Plans are created and reviewed in a timely manner.
• Ensure that all Emergency Response Plans are up to date and fully operational.
• Coordinate vehicle maintenance and replacement.
• Manage the procurement process for program supplies and equipment.

Finances 

• Budgeting each financial year with Center Director, SFS Operations, and SFS Finance
• Oversee with the Center Director finances through careful preparation of operating and capital budgets and thorough review of expenditures.
• Managing finances, including the monthly accounting package for HQ, with copies of all receipts.
• Co-manage with Center Director the SFS bank accounts, including but not limited to, issuing checks, bank deposits, payments and other duties
• Management of petty cash and execution of regular cash counts.
• Ensure the execution of external financial audits annually.
• Collaborate with the Center Director, VP of Finance, and VP of Global Operations in exploring cost efficiencies and scoping appropriate resources for operations.

Fiscal and Legal 

• Coordinate with a local accountant and lawyers to ensure SFS Peru is following national and local laws, accounting and government reporting requirements.
• Work with local counsel to draft appropriate local labor contracts and oversee payroll for staff.
• Keep files and records of staff medical leave, vacations, insurance and other relevant information as required by the national labor authorities.

Entity, Facility Management and Sustainability 

• Ensure terms of operating leases are delivered by landlord.
• Evaluate quality of services and coordinate with local service providers: maintenance, cleaning, electricity, water, internet, cell phones, etc.
• Oversee Program Coordinator in implementing site maintenance schedules and security of center property and assets.
• Implement facility or site improvements or repairs as needed, and receive landlord approval, if necessary.
• Ensure fulfilment of Peruvian policies and procedures.
• Together with the Center Director, assess and manage the Center’s use of resources such as water, energy, and waste disposal capacity, recommending and implementing improvements in Center’s sustainability.

Program Management 

• Review program evaluations alongside the Center Director and manage the logistical aspects of the implementation of actions to maintain high program standards.
• With assistance of the Program Coordinator, make reservations and transportation for various field exercises and field trips of varying lengths.
• Assist academic staff with the logistics, planning, and implementation of other tasks dealing with community projects.
• Work alongside the Center Director to coordinate semester planning activities prior to semester program, and debrief following student departures, including written reports to HQ.
• Manage overall safety of all program participants, staff and visitors, working closely with the Center Director and Health & Wellness Manager for enforcement of program policies and program risk assessment and management plans.
• With Faculty and the Center Director, support and help with planning transportation logistics, including overseeing engagement of drivers and transport services providers.
• With Faculty and Center Director, draft and manage program schedule.
• Lead regular (weekly) meetings in support of program delivery.
• Work with faculty on the logistical components of program delivery, assisting in the daily, weekly, monthly planning of activities.
• Support the Center Director and Health & Wellness Manager in resolving student discipline problems.  

Outreach 

• Seek out and participate in outreach activities at the local, regional and national levels to entities such as universities, research organizations, businesses, agencies and community institutions.
• Take part in Center social and field activities and service projects.
• Work to ensure consistently good relations between the Center and landlords, its stakeholders and neighbors.
• At all times, work to ensure good relations between SFS and the local community.

Daily Center Life 

• Frequently take meals with the students and staff.
• On a rotating basis, act as “staff of the day”.
• Actively model skills in competence, awareness, and knowledge necessary for meaningfully working with, living with and learning from others who may differ from oneself in identity and/or lived experience.
• Contribute to the creation of a living-learning community that is inclusive of diverse perspectives, experiences and backgrounds, in which all learners have the opportunity to thrive.
• Take part in community outreach, site upkeep projects, social and field activities.
• Drive standard transmission vehicles as needed, run errands for program, assist with procurement.
• Adhere to, actively model and enforce all SFS and program policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Fluency in Spanish
• Must be a Peruvian National or have pre-existing authorization to work in Peru
• Experience in operations, managing personnel, administration, expenses, and/or accounting in Peru
• Ability to operate standard transmission vehicle
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Proven soft skills qualities
• Comfortable in culturally and socially diverse environments

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Fluency in English
• Experience working with international, study abroad or student groups

Statement on Employee Conduct 

The School for Field Studies maintains a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency and respect. The environment is characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression and exploitation. The School for Field Studies will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment of any kind. All offers of employment at The School for Field Studies Peru are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates and on all employees as deemed necessary.