International Director/Mentor job in Liberia

We are Global Leadership Adventures (GLA), a well-established organization committed to delivering life-changing journeys for high school and middle school students. Our mission is to inspire the next generation to realize their potential to transform the world and their role in it. We have proudly operated our global service-learning programs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin America for more than a decade and are excited to offer our new Europe Discovery programs focused on educational, exploratory travel.

GLA has welcomed and trained hundreds of staff from all over the world to lead superior-quality trips. Each year, trip leaders (International Directors & Mentors) are carefully selected from a pool of highly-qualified, well-traveled, passionate educators who are seeking a fulfilling summer experience abroad. Our international teams are hired to work in collaboration with our local counterparts. All positions are based outside the U.S. and require a minimum commitment to the program dates.

Position Responsibilities

International Directors collaborate with the Local Program Director (from the host country) to facilitate a positive summer experience for Mentors and participants. Program Directors work to maintain the safety and health of each student, ensure program logistics are properly coordinated and implement GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum. Communication, teamwork and flexibility are critical throughout this process. Local Directors are responsible for managing, supporting, and guiding local team members in their roles.

Mentors participate in all aspects of programming alongside students, including community service and excursions. Mentors facilitate activities implementing GLA’s service-learning leadership curriculum, as well as discussion and reflection sessions to help students process their experiences. Mentors will facilitate discussions directly with a small group of students regularly and occasionally lead activities with larger groups of students.

For more details on position roles and responsibilities, please visit our seasonal jobs page.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of two years of experience working with teens; either teaching in a classroom or in an alternative education setting
• Two years of experience working with middle school students for our middle school program
• Mastery relating with teenagers
• Extensive international travel experience
• For Europe Discovery programs, experience living in-country and speaking the local language is mandatory
• Flexibility – our staff have the ability to find comfort in the discomfort, no matter their location
• Exceedingly personable and positive demeanor
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and cross-cultural awareness
• Collaborative in nature; skilled in problem solving
• Good physical and mental health – staff must possess the ability to actively participate in all elements of the program’s experience
• Ability to talk things out and a willingness to express your professional opinions while considering your personal feelings and the feelings of your colleagues
• Natural aptitude to motivate and energize students in a variety of settings and situations

Required Certifications

• International Directors: CPR and First Aid Certification; Epinephrine Administration Training
• Mentors: CPR and First Aid Certification

*Note: GLA does not accept online CPR/First Aid certifications. Certifications must be attained prior to staff’s contract start date and will be at the expense of the candidate.

[Some programs require a wilderness certification (Wilderness Advanced First Aid or Wilderness First Responder); some programs require a Lifeguard certification,]

Preferred Extras

• Fluency in Spanish for programs in Spanish-speaking countries
• Fluency in French for our French language program
• Fluency in Mandarin for our Mandarin language program
• Advanced language skills in a language of the country where you are interested in working
• Wilderness certifications as mentioned above for programs in remote locations; an additional stipend is offered for staff certified as a WFR or WAFA
• Lifeguard certification as mentioned above for water-based programs; an additional stipend is offered for staff certified as lifeguards or open-water lifeguards
• Extensive experience in the country or region where you are interested in working
• Experience working with animals and familiarity with veterinary care for our animal and wildlife programs
• Strong biology or environmental background – for biologically and ecologically diverse programs like the Galapagos
• Strong background in STEM, history or political studies for relevant Europe Discovery programs
• Master’s degree in a field related to the program theme
• Strong athletic background for our sports-based programs
• Ability to swim, hike, surf and lead a solid ice-breaker

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive stipend of $525/week for International Directors and $375/week for Mentors
• Living expenses (food and lodging), including days in between program sessions
• Roundtrip airfare to your program site
• Flexibility to extend travel plans before or after contract dates
• Medical insurance for the duration of your contract
• International work experience alongside like-minded individuals
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• Five-day professional training in stunning Costa Rica, all expenses paid (International Directors only)
• The ability to make an impact on students and local communities

How to Apply

Fill out and submit an online application. You will be asked to upload a cover letter, resume and two references. Applicants who do not complete the entire application process will not be considered. If you experience any issues or do not receive a confirmation email from GLA, please email madison@experiencegla.com.

Note: Your cover letter should highlight your experience in facilitating experiential education programs, youth development and leadership, and any experience you have living/traveling the country or region where you are interested in working.