Program Assistant

Reports to: Academic Director

Salary Range: €1800 bruto, 20 hours per week (0,5 fte).

Anticipated Start Date: ASAP

Term of Employment: one-year contract

Apply by: 6th February 2023

Base of Designation: Amsterdam Centrum, The Netherlands. Preferably, must live in Amsterdam or close-by. Interviews in Dutch and English will be held during the week of 13th February 2023.

How to apply: Email your Motivation Letter and CV to fiona.kirk@sit.edu by 6th February

The role

The Program Assistant works closely with other program staff, and under the direction of the academic director (AD), to support and administer the academic exchange semester “International Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality” for US students This program is part of SIT Study Abroad, a program of World Learning Inc., and takes place twice per year in Amsterdam, NL. This position will also support other programs associated with the Learning Center in the Netherlands. The responsibilities of the Program Assistant include among others, first, the practical preparation of the semester program together with other staff. This will include arranging transportation; making hostel, hotel, and restaurant reservations; buying transport and museum subscriptions; and collecting and distributing transportation and museum cards. The new program assistant will also offer administrative and operative support of the office, such as archiving records, keeping the cash book, shopping, and basic financial reporting as well as other tasks as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Maintain the office, incl. ordering supplies and coordinating the cleaning staff;
• Compile and prepare appropriate program materials per AD instructions, including pre-departure and ongoing student information;
• Assisting the AD in case of an emergency with a student, in cooperation with Program coordinators;
• Organize receptions and other special events (reserve space, negotiate prices and menus, issue invitations, etc.) in consultation with the AD;
• Serve as a point-of-contact for the students in regards to cash reimbursement, student stipends, museum and transportation cards, etc.;
• Manage and track petty cash and other finances as required;
• Assist in organization and operation of site visits;
• Participate in training as assigned;
• Provide guidance and information on local culture;
• Carry out other miscellaneous tasks as assigned.
• Being the contact person for ICT-support (Vermont as well as freelance);
• Assisting custom and EIL-programs when needed, in coordination with appropriate staff.
• Acting as an emergency contact for students, in cooperation with AD and Program coordinators. Being on-call for emergencies during the semester.
• Organizing job interviews;
• Other tasks as assigned.

Requirements

Required Experience/Education:

• Bachelor’s degree, appropriate HBO, or equivalent;
• Minimum 2 years of experience working in an educational or non-profit setting, preferably in a secretarial position with responsibility for administrative, organizational, or financial support and/or a position of responsibility for students’/clients’ well-being;
• Fluency in Dutch and English;
• Ability to work in the Netherlands;
• Living in Amsterdam or close-by.

Required Skills, Behaviors, Competencies:

• Experience in office administration;
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity;
• Excellent communication and social skills, communicates in particular a "can do" attitude and positive outlook, minimizing negative behaviors;
• Outstanding organizational skills - must be able to manage multiple assignments simultaneously, has the capacity to manage changing priorities and ambiguity while remaining calm and controlled, experience with financial book-keeping is a plus;
• Be flexible and demonstrate sound work ethic;
• Ability to work independently as well as with a team.

Must be willing and able to travel on program excursions as determined by the academic director. Excursions may range from one day to several weeks as required.