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MCC Program Director(s) - Low German Communities

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active church membership; and nonviolent peacemaking.

MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

MCC Program Director(s) - Low German Communities in Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua, Mexico

Term: 
3 years (negotiable)
Date Opened: 
September 10, 2009
Date Required: 
Available Now

 

 

Qualifications: 
  1. Strong personal commitment to Christ and a willingness to work within a conservative Mennonite setting.
  2. Ability to listen and to give counsel when asked. Able to integrate North American and Mexican views of change and development.
  3. Administrative and leadership skills including an ability to initiate programs and to communicate effectively.
  4. A compassionate understanding of the Low German Mennonites and a willingness to work closely with people of a wide spectrum of beliefs. To be non-judgmental and willing to adjust life style to work effectively with the Low German Mennonites.
  5. Ability to assess and prioritize needs, and to develop programs which will be helpful to colonists in the areas of education, spiritual life, economic and social development, and health. Programs are developed with the Low German Mennonites in a manner that will not alienate any significant segments of the Mennonite communities in Mexico.
  6. Willingness to travel extensively among the Mennonite communities in Mexico.
  7. Ability to communicate orally in Low German, read & write High German, and be willing to learn Spanish and be fluent in English.
  8. Organizational skills and the ability to work effectively with other MCC workers involved in the program yet without close supervision.
  9. Ability to provide leadership and support to other MCC workers in the program and a willingness to host visitors.

 

Assignment Description: 
The person assigned to this position would report directly to the Low German Program Coordinator in MCC Canada and would be responsible for implementing and helping to reshape or adjust the program outlined below.

The Program Director will be expected to guide and supervise the work of the MCC personnel working with the Low German Mennonite communities in Cuauhtemoc, Casas Grandes and Durango both full and part time, and to connect with other colonies in Campeche.

The person in this position is expected to implement the broad goals and objectives of the Low German Program for this region. These goals and objectives are:

  • Assist the Low German-speaking Mennonite communities in Mexico in their efforts to become viable, self-sustaining economic communities.
  • Encourage and assist the colonists to preserve their faith and to rejuvenate their Anabaptist heritage.
  • Encourage the exchange of ideas in the area of education, religion and civic affairs helpful to the development of viable communities.

The overall vision for MCC's relationship with Low German Mennonites is to share God's love with them by working within a mutually beneficial relationship with local leaders, communities and organizations to enhance their capacity to address such issues as poverty, conflict, literacy, health and natural disasters.
MCC will emphasize the following objectives in its work:

  • Help to strengthen the connections of the diverse Low German Mennonite communities with each other, with their neighbours, with the extended Mennonite community and with MCC in the hope that these connections will lead to greater, mutual understanding.
  • Encourage the formation of healthy families and stable and viable communities of Low German Mennonites when they become involved in difficult migrations and provide assistance in gaining access to local resources as may be necessary and feasible.
  • Encourage the development of strong church communities that meet the spiritual needs of the Low German Mennonites, whether they are found in the colonies or in more diverse communities in the Americas.

 

Duties: 
  1. Manage the office/resource centres at Km 34, Cuauhtemoc, Casas Grandes, and Durango Colony. A working knowledge of Spanish is desirable.
  2. Distribute and promote the Die Mennonitische Post and Das Blatt and other appropriate reading material.
  3. Respond to community needs in the area of literacy, health and poverty as requested by the community leaders or by committees on behalf of the colony.
  4. Conduct regular visits to Colony Bishops in order to inform them about what MCC is doing in this region and in their colony specifically, and to hear their counsel on the nature of our activities.
  5. Explore economic development opportunities for colonies in the area.
  6. Promote visits or exchanges between people whose ideas could help to make the colonies more viable.
  7. Encourage teachers to use the "Blatt" as a teaching tool through the distribution of sample copies of the "Blatt" to teachers and where possible, meet with teachers to show them how to use the "Blatt" with their children.
  8. Attend area Old Colony churches so as to become familiar with the theology of the Old Colony church.
  9. Carry out the vision of an MCC presence in this area.
  10. Carry on a visitation program of a social nature with families in various colonies.
  11. Other duties as assigned.

 

Location Description: 
The person/couple assigned to the position would be expected to live at KM 34, near Cuauhtemoc, Chih. which serves as office and residence. The office is located on a busy four land highway. The area is home to approximately 30,000 Mennonites. Cuauhtemoc is a relatively modern city of 100,000. Because of an elevation of 2200 metres, the area enjoys mild summers and winters. It has a beautiful climate but it has marginal rainfall. For part of the year it is very dry and dusty. The city offers modern as well as market-style shopping. The economy of the area is strong with a good mix of farming and manufacturing. Good schools are available where children can learn in Spanish or German. Health facilities and medical staff are excellent and readily available. The Mexican peso has been stable for the last five years. A vehicle is provided for staff.

 

Challenges: 
The economic, spiritual and social hardships experienced on many of the colonies provide challenges of working together with the colonies and their leaders to develop trust and understanding. MCC works with all the Mennonites to build capacity and support local initiatives. A working knowledge of Spanish and basic accounting procedures is increasingly more important as MCC registers itself as a charity within Mexico.