The Uganda Studies Program provides undergraduate students studying in north American universities the opportunity to live and study in Uganda for a semester. Students take classes at Uganda Christian University, complete professional internships in their field of study, and live with Ugandan families or in UCU dormitories. USP provides opportunities for students to authentically engage people, culture, and contemporary realities in Uganda in ways that challenge them to be active participants in Christ’s claim on all aspects of life. The Student Life Coordinator oversees various student life aspects of the program, including student health and safety, on-campus housing and activities, program logistics, and program travel, and works with other USP staff members under the USP Director to achieve the overall aims and objectives of the Uganda Studies Program. The Student Life Coordinator reports to the Director of the Uganda Studies Program.

Main Job Functions:

• Student Life
  • Supervise and mentor American and Ugandan Program Assistants so that they are equipped to serve the program and students.
  • Mentor and disciple students, actively seeking to address spiritual needs and questions.
  • Take the lead role overseeing and managing issues of student behavioural expectations and discipline.
  • Assist students in cross-cultural interactions as they build authentic and healthy relationships with UCU students and Ugandan peers, colleagues, supervisors etc. This includes processing their experiences throughout the semester, using both group and one-on-one settings as appropriate.
  • Coordinate campus logistics for students, including accommodation in UCU dormitories.
  • Work closely and collaboratively with the Honours College leadership to support USP/HC partnership and student relationships.
  • Other duties as assigned.

• Health & Safety
  • Be on call 24/7 for student health issues and other emergencies.
  • Oversee the overall health and wellbeing of students, ensuring they receive proper medical care when needed.
  • Ensure that UCU and USP policies are followed in responding to and reporting health and safety incidents.
  • Oversee and implement the USP Crisis Management Plan with assistance from the USP director.
  • Maintain active certification as a Wilderness First Responder.

• Travel
  • Work closely with other USP staff, and at times take a lead role to facilitate
    • Orientation and Debrief (4 days/3 nights).
    • Student travel to Rwanda or within Uganda (10 days/9 nights).
    • Student rural home stay experience (10 days/9 nights).
  • Other travel job duties as necessary including preparation for student trips.
  • Average number of nights per semester spent traveling with students: 21-23 nights.

• Academics
  • Lead small groups, seminars, and debrief sessions on a variety of topics and experiences throughout the semester.
  • Co-teach or coordinate other courses as agreed upon with the director. This includes grading papers and submitting mid-semester reports for struggling students.

Student Life Coordinator should:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree. (A master’s degree is preferred.)
• Have work experience or training in experiential education, student life, student ministry, study abroad, or higher education.
• Be able to articulate a personal commitment to the Christian mission and purpose of USP and UCU.
• Be detail-oriented, highly organized, and flexible with strong communication skills and work ethic.
• Be able to function well with little supervision, as well as have the ability to keep other staff informed on their duties and progress in areas of oversight.
• Be able to manage multiple tasks, people, and projects simultaneously and to work amidst interruptions.
• Be willing to work well as a member of a cross-cultural team.

Physical Requirements Include:

• Willingness to live on campus at Uganda Christian University.
• Willingness to abide by UCU staff policies.
• Ability to lead student travel in difficult conditions in developing countries, including limited food options, poor sanitation conditions, etc. 
• Travelling without assistance; walking and hiking long distances; sitting; standing; typing; long periods of computer work; carrying suitcases and other items up to 50 pounds; bending; reaching; lifting; stooping; kneeling; twisting; sitting; standing; climbing.
• Ability to manage own health issues in a country with minimal access to good health care.

Applications are due by July 8, 2022