Overseas Opportunity

The Peace Corps is one of the most successful and respected development organizations in the world. Since 1961, Peace Corps Volunteers from every background have worked with people in other countries to expand education for children, promote economic opportunity, improve health and agriculture, and preserve the environment. By living and serving overseas for two years, Peace Corps Volunteers strengthen cross-cultural understanding between Americans and the people of other countries.

Role of Country Directors

The Peace Corps country director is responsible for managing and directing all aspects of the Peace Corps program in the country of assignment. The country director is:

• Responsible for supporting 50 to 250 Volunteers as they live and work in a country, often under conditions of hardship, and lend their skills and energy to meet community needs and promote a better understanding between the host country people and Americans.
• The senior manager of a staff of 15 to 50 employees (including two to four Americans) and the senior administrator of an annual budget ranging from $900,000 to $4 million.
• The senior Peace Corps representative in the country of assignment.
• Responsible for analyzing and implementing all Peace Corps programming and projects.
• The personification of the Peace Corps' commitment to improving world understanding and peace through people-to-people contact.

Duties and Responsibilities

Program Direction and Leadership Duties

• With host country partnering organizations, develops a vision for the country program and a plan for achieving the vision.
• Takes the leadership role in preparing cooperating agreements between Peace Corps and host country partner agencies. Those agreements should include a description of the project objectives, an estimate of the number of Volunteers to be assigned to the project, the responsibilities of the Peace Corps and the partner ministry or agency, and the rights of the partners within the relationship.
• In collaboration with staff, devises a system that defines project development and management responsibilities.

Volunteer Support Duties

• Approves and facilitates Volunteer projects and programming to assure Volunteer productivity and host country support. This requires analyzing and understanding host country needs and viability of the project; evaluating Volunteer assignments, sites, and counterparts; and managing and supporting associate Peace Corps directors who are directly responsible for training and programming support.
• Establishes relationships with trainees and Volunteers that foster an understanding of the challenges of Peace Corps service; invites an open and respectful dialog between Volunteers and staff; evokes enthusiasm and support for the Peace Corps mission and the host country people and culture; instills a work ethic, cultural sensitivity, and sense of camaraderie among Volunteers.
• Establishes systems to ensure the personal health, safety, and security of Volunteers. This requires developing, testing, and enforcing policies and procedures; ensuring the delivery of training to Volunteers and staff; collaborating with the U.S. embassy and host government as appropriate; anticipating, preventing, and managing crises ranging from sexual assaults and natural disasters to civil unrest and emergency evacuations.
• Ensures that medical, programmatic, training, and administrative staff can identify and are equipped to provide appropriate support to Volunteers dealing with cross-cultural adjustment issues and the challenges in working with host country counterparts/ supervisors, host families, and colleagues, and of living in a foreign country.

Management and Administrative Duties

• Manages all Peace Corps staff members and contract personnel in country of assignment. This includes hiring, training, supervising, promoting, and monitoring employees in a cross-cultural setting, where local practices and law may be in conflict with U.S. government regulations, American work ethic standards, or the practical needs of managing an office and a program.
• Administers and oversees financial management, procurement, contract negotiation, disbursement, property control, and administrative services for the Peace Corps in the country of assignment. Ensures compliance with Peace Corps policy, U.S. federal government regulations, and local law. Assures timely submission of annual financial reports, prepares and submits other budget data to headquarters as requested, and reviews fiscal expenditures and imprest fund activities.

Representational Duties

• Sets the tone and character of the Peace Corps program to the country at large and serves as leader, liaison, role model, and representative for all Volunteers, trainees, and staff.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with host country government officials and local authorities, representatives of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other persons of influence in the country's developmental efforts; and works with these individuals and organizations to enhance and promote the Peace Corps programs.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with the chief of mission, regional security office, and others within the U.S. mission that foster the cooperation and coordination necessary to achieve Peace Corps' goals and ensure the safety of Volunteers, but maintains maximum independence of the Peace Corps from day-to-day operations of the U.S. mission.

Supervision/Guidance and Length of Tour

The country director works under the general supervision of the appropriate regional director at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington, D.C. Country directors are expected to serve in the assigned country for a minimum of 2 ½ years (one 30-month tour) and a maximum of 5 years (two tours).

Last updated Apr 16 2012