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MCC Representative for Ukraine - Kazakhstan - Russia

All MCC workers must have a personal Christian faith, be active members of a Christian church, and be committed to nonviolent biblical peacemaking.

Candidates of a gender or ethnic group typically underrepresented in this type of MCC assignment are encouraged to apply.

MCC Representative for Ukraine - Kazakhstan - Russia in Zaporozhye, Ukraine

Term: 
5 years
Date Opened: 
April 7, 2008
Date Required: 
Available Now
Full Time Equivalent: 
1.0

 

Synopsis: 

The MCC Rep for Ukraine - Kazakhstan - Russia directs a diverse program. The program ranges from working with local NGOs in the area of peace-building, to the distribution of material aid in the Caucacus region. In addition to these more usual aspects of MCC programs, the program has strong links to Mennonite history in the region and certain parts of the Canadian and USA Mennonite constituencies. The MCC office is located in Zaporozhye, Ukraine. The MCC Rep reports to the Europe and Middle East Area Directors, based in the Winnipeg, Canada MCC office.

 

Qualifications: 

Strong identification with MCC's purpose, goals and manner of working.

Previous overseas experience with MCC or a similar agency.

Experience in administration.

Excellent human relations skills including the ability to listen well and facilitate group processes.

Good organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Language learning ability - a working knowledge of Russian is a definite asset; language study will be provided.

Patience and maturity.

Ability to articulate an Anabaptist/Mennonite theological perspective.

Interest in and ability to understand and function within a complex and often chaotic political and economic environment.

Ability to share a vision for peacemaking and social and economic concerns with local people searching for new approaches to community action and development.

Ability to work with theologically conservative Christian partners.

Strong team player.

Good computer skills is an asset.

 

Assignment Description: 

The MCC Rep oversees MCC's work in Ukraine - Kazakhstan - Russia. Currently there are 3 national staff in Ukraine, though the program spans work in Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Russia.

MCC has maintained an office and MCC workers in the region since 1992. The MCC office is currently located in Zaporozhye, Ukraine.

With a budget of $295,000 MCC seconds workers and provides grants to church and community based local initiatives and organizations. MCC is also involved in food and material aid distribution. The program concentrates on economic development, social and medical work (including HIV/AIDS programming), theological education, and peace related work.

The MCC Rep reports to the MCC Area Directors for the Europe and Middle East program in Winnipeg, Canada.

 

Duties: 

The MCC Rep provides overall vision and direction to the MCC Ukraine - Kazakhstan - Russia program. Specifically the MCC Rep will:

1. Plan, coordinate and oversee the program

- Connect with current local partners and seek out new partnerships

- Facilitate ongoing and new MCC involvement with local and international partners

- Prepare program plans and budget according to MCC's Program Planning Guide, as well as monitor and evaluate each program

2. Place and support MCC workers

- Develop new placements as appropriate and as requested by partners

- Select workers and provide orientation for them

3. Manage the MCC office

- Supervise the MCC financial accounts

- Handle correspondence and paperwork regarding workers, material aid, and cooperation with partners

- Supervise the 3 national staff

4. Represent MCC

- Relate to local and regional authorities as needed

- Relate to churches and partners in the region

- Relate to Mennonite visitors from North America

- Facilitate occasional Learning Tours in an educative manner.

 

Location Description: 

Zaporozhye (Zaporizhzhya) is located in southern Ukraine on the Dneper (Dnipro) River and has a population of one million people. Summers are hot and often dry, winters are moderately cold with snow and ice. Local fruits and vegetables abound in the markets during the growing season. Heavy industry dominates parts of the city, but there are many parks as well as popular recreation areas along the river and on Chortitza Island. The Sea of Azov to the south and nearby Crimea are popular resort areas.

There is one Mennonite congregation in the city of Zaporozhye, and another one in the former Molochna colony in a restored Mennonite church building. In the city and oblast (province) there are Baptist, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and Catholic churches in addition to a synagogue and a mosque.

Zaporozhye is home to a symphony, a Ukrainian drama theatre, a state university and many technical institutes. The city has good public transportation as well as rail and bus links to other cities. International flights are available at the nearby Dnepropetrovsk airport. Public utilities function better in Zaporozhye than in many Ukrainian cities. Good medical care is available.

The Zaporozhye region was a centre of Mennonite life in the Russian Empire. Many buildings remain from the pre-revolutionary era, and Mennonite tour groups visit the area every year to explore their heritage.

 

Challenges: 

1. Political instability

2. A feeling of isolation until one gains a sense of the Russian/Ukrainian language

3. Learning to understand life in a post-soviet era

4. Long, cold, dreary winters

5. Inconsistent electrical power source

6. Pollution