Desk Director for West and Central Africa, and Madagascar

About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 3 million members in more than 8,600 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

The Lutheran Center (national office) is located in Chicago, Illinois. A staff of approximately 400, under the leadership of the Presiding Bishop, serve as administrators, advisors, conveners, partners, and resource people for the ELCA and its ministries. Staff lead the work of national, domestic, and global ministries and programs including Lutheran Disaster Response, ELCA World Hunger, Service & Justice, Christian Community and Leadership, and Innovation.  We are also home to five of our separately incorporated ministries: The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA, Women of the ELCA, Lutheran Men in Mission, the ELCA Foundation and the ELCA Federal Credit Union.

About the position

Through the Service and Justice unit, the ELCA Churchwide Organization fosters and facilitates this church’s engagement in service and promotes efforts to call and act for justice. Its work includes engaging in mission, service, and justice in accompaniment with churches and organizations in other countries; engaging with communities, coalitions, and networks, congregations, and synods in service and justice work within the territorial jurisdiction of this church; and providing guidance to members on matters of social justice.

This position directs and leads the West and Central Africa and Madagascar Africa Desks’ engagement of the ELCA through its Service and Justice unit. The primary purpose of this position is to set vision, develop and implement strategic engagements through relationships with global companions in the region, align human and financial resources, manage mission personnel, administer the region's budget and grants, monitor and evaluate programs, collaborate with ecumenical partners and agencies in common mission objectives, and engage other expressions of the ELCA in companion relationships.

This is a full-time, regular, exempt, remote position.

The eligibility of a candidate for remote or hybrid positions may depend on the residency of the candidate, and the budget for the role, including salary or pay, insurance coverage, and/or tax burden. Candidates for this position must reside within the fifty United States or the District of Columbia and be authorized to work lawfully in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

1. Relationships: Within the continent and areas of responsibility, accompanies and facilitates ELCA relationships with churches, agencies and institutions for mutual engagement in God's mission; represents the ELCA and the Service and Justice unit at ecumenical tables. 

2. Program Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation: Within the framework and overall strategic intent of the ELCA Churchwide Organization Operational Plan, develops continental, regional and country strategies in consultation with global companions, Diakonia and other unit staff; directs and coordinates the implementation of these programs and global personnel placements to reflect strategic priorities; implements the Service and Justice home unit’s planning, monitoring and evaluation process for grants to companion churches and other organizations.  

3. Supervision/Global Personnel: Supervises Global Personnel appointed by ELCA and oversees Continental Desk role in shared placements with synods. The Director administers personnel policies and support provisions; provides for the pastoral care and well-being of personnel; participates in candidate evaluation and appointments and directs and assigns roles to Regional Representatives in unit's relationships with global companions and in carrying out assigned activities and functions. Supervises the staff of the continental Desk Team.  

4. Budget Management: Administers budget for Fund One and World Hunger funding in the continent (all three sub-regional expressions of the LWF); participates in unit-wide budget planning and decision-making processes; proposes programs for extra-budgetary financial support. 

5. Specialist and Resource for Unit: Provides analysis of continental and regional political, social, religious, and security developments; serves as resource for unit's understanding of issues and trends in the continent, regions and within countries; proposes avenues for response. 

6. ELCA and Inter/Intra-unit Responsibilities: Cooperates with ELCA synods, congregations, other ELCA units and the Service and Justice unit in common mission programs and activities. 

7. Responsibilities Specific to the Continent Covered by Director -- this information is included in an appendix that provides more detail. 

8. Other Duties as Assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

1. Regional representatives.

2. Mission Personnel.

1. 7+ years of relevant experience. Master's degree or equivalent, M. Div/MTh preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience; extensive coursework, knowledge and ability to articulate understandings of mission, particularly accompaniment as a lens and methodology for global mission. Lived experience in the region. 

2. Collaborative work style within and across teams and skill in collaborative decision making; facility in building and maintaining strong relationships with international companions, ecumenical colleagues, ELCA synods and congregations, and in inter-faith relationships; demonstrated and well-developed competencies in intercultural ministry.

3. Knowledge and commitment to the global mission of the ELCA and an appreciation for the church in all its expressions; in-depth knowledge and appreciation for the values, customs and decision-making processes in cultures specific to the region; articulate in expressing the strategic intent and commitments of this church.

4. Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, program implementation, project management and evaluation, budgeting; able to meet the unit’s tight work deadlines while maintaining demanding travel schedules; able to maintain high volume of e-communication in a timely manner.

5. Ability to both supervise and provide support to mission personnel and staff.

6. Proficiency in English and French, and language, preferably a language of the region; effective verbal, written, and listening skills.

7. Experience using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook, etc.).

8. Appreciation for the mission, vision, values and goals of the ELCA. 

9. Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Physical 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear, use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. May be required to lift boxes of materials. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Travel 

Considerable travel. This position requires considerable overnight, domestic and international travel by plane, car, etc.   

Approximately 80-100 days travel per year, mostly international but some domestic; able to operate vehicle. Valid driver’s license preferred. 

Benefits

The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees, health and dependent care FSA’s, a health savings account (HSA) with an employer contribution, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer a generous paid time-off policy including 17 paid holidays. All benefits commence on your start date.

Contact

If you have questions about this job or your application, please complete this form to contact Human Resources.

Salary

Commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience.