Location:
Iringa, Tanzania
Agreement term:
Full Time, Two Year
Anticipated start date(s) include:
January 2025 - Orientation, Deployment and Start of Service in Iringa
Agreement type:
Shared Placement Personnel with Saint Paul Area Synod (SPAS)
About the position:
Bega Kwa Bega
Bega Kwa Bega is the name of the companion synod relationship between the Iringa Diocese in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania and the Saint Paul Area Synod (ELCA). With a history that stretches back to the formation of the Diocese and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, this is a program that unites nearly seventy congregational pairings and thousands of individuals across cultural and continental lines. It is also one of the largest and most complex companion synod relationships in the ELCA, with hundreds of travelers and hundreds of thousands of dollars flowing between Saint Paul and Iringa. Rooted in the theory and practice of accompaniment, this is a relationship that is strengthened and sustained through the shared practices of prayer, presence, and projects. The Bega Kwa Bega Program Assistant will serve in the Iringa Diocese, living near the Iringa Diocese head office. The Program Assistant will work in concert with the 40+ staff members of the Diocese office and gain familiarity with the educational, medical, and development institutions of the church. There will be regular opportunities for the coordinator to visit rural congregations and villages across the Diocese to preach or teach and to see first-hand the phenomenal growth of the ELCT.
Iringa
A ten-hour drive inland from Dar es Salaam, the Iringa region is in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania, one of the nation’s agricultural heartlands. The territory of the Diocese stretches from rolling hills and mountains in the south/east to the rift valley in the north/west where it runs into Ruaha National Park. The Hehe people are the dominant ethnic group with significant populations of Maasai, Barabaig, and Bena. Christianity is the prevalent religion in the Iringa region with strong Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Pentecostal/Charismatic communities. Followers of Islam and traditional/indigenous beliefs are also present. Iringa town is located on top of a ridge along the TanZam highway and is a bustling center of commerce and trade. Built as an administrative center for German colonial efforts, it is rapidly becoming a hub of learning with several colleges and universities opening campuses, including the University of Iringa (formerly Tumaini University). Several non-governmental organizations and development agencies have also based their operations here. With a growing community of European and North Americans, Iringa also boasts a variety of Western restaurants and shops for a taste of home.
Description:
The Bega Kwa Bega (BKB) Program Assistant is a two-year position based in Iringa, Tanzania that includes a living allowance and in-kind support. The position is a shared placement between the Saint Paul Area Synod (SPAS) and Global Mission of the of the ELCA.
Site Information:
- Iringa is located inland along the TanZam Highway in the Southern Highlands area of Tanzania.
- Iringa town is a bustling center of commerce and trade, home to several universities as well as non-governmental development agencies.
- Program Assistants live and have office space in an apartment a short walk from the Head Offices of the Iringa Diocese and from banks and local markets.
- Work includes day trips to remote rural areas of the diocese to visit parishes and schools.
Assignment Includes:
Reporting to the Saint Paul Area Synod the core work of our relationship in four key areas:
Administration (75%) – Provide consistent coverage for BKB-SPAS operations in Iringa including, but not limited to, banking, financial reporting, and maintaining SPAS assets.
Relationship Building (10%) – Fully participate in the life of the Iringa Diocese, building a strong network of relationships with leaders at the head office and in parishes. Work with the BKB-DIRA liaison to facilitate regular communication and strengthen relationships between companion congregations in Iringa and Saint Paul.
Hospitality (10%) – Host visiting delegations and provide orientation and logistical support to visiting delegations. Work in conjunction with BKB travel coordinator, BKB-DIRA liaison, and vendors, on scheduling visits and related logistics. Coordinate emergency protocols when needed.
Project Monitoring (5%) – Work with the director of Bega Kwa Bega and BKB-DIRA liaison to visit and provide oversight, documentation, and reports about select companion congregation and affiliated projects. This includes the BKB scholarship program, construction projects, and capacity building/training programs.
This position is for globally aware, mission-minded individuals or couples interested in having a hands-on, immersive experience in a cross-cultural ministry setting. Successful candidates will have:
• Demonstrated experience abroad (required)
• College education or equivalent life experience (related field preferred)
• Familiarity with ELCA, ELCT and the BKB/DIRA companion synod relationship (preferred)
• Understanding of the theory and practice of accompaniment
• Attention to detail and proven administrative, banking, and record keeping skills
• Ability to drive a manual transmission, 4-wheel drive SUV in challenging conditions
• Willingness to learn conversational Swahili
• A relational personality – love of people and community
• Commitment to serve an initial two-year term in Tanzania with the possibility for extension
If Candidate is Married:
Should the Program Assistant be married both would be required to complete separate applications and submit them together. Spouses are welcome and encouraged to join in the tasks above. Additional opportunities for volunteering or employment (e.g. Iringa International School) may be available in Iringa Town, depending on interest/experience. Support provisions may vary depending on a couple’s circumstances. Contact the director of Bega Kwa Bega for more information. kirsten.levorson@spas-elca.org
Support and Funding:
This position is designated as partially funded. Logistically, the Program Assistant will receive in-kind compensation in the form of housing, utilities, transportation, and orientation/training. This is paired with a modest monthly living allowance that is in line with local norms. Personal support is provided through regular conversation with the director of BKB, other volunteers on the BKB program team, and the ELCA-GM East Africa Community. Specific support provisions include:
· ELCA Global Mission Orientation
· Roundtrip airfare to/from Tanzania
· Residency Permit in Tanzania
· Use of BKB-SPAS apartment/office in Iringa. Utilities included.
· Use of BKB-SPAS vehicle for work and local personal errands
· Monthly living allowance in line with local standards
· Basic volunteer-level health insurance through ELCA
· Financial Assistance for Swahili language studies as available/ needed
· Connections with local resources and organizations for enhancement and development of professional skills and personal interests
Within the Saint Paul Area Synod this position largely is funded through Administrative Fees applied to BKB projects, Traveler Fees, and targeted donations. The Program Assistant is asked to assist in fundraising efforts for BKB program support.
Physical Effort:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
