Project Manager, Translations

The LCMS Mission
"In grateful response to God's grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, the mission of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod is vigorously to make known the love of Christ by word and deed within our churches, communities, and world."

Department Profile

The Office of International Mission, which relates to the Board for International Mission and implements its policies, is 
responsible to the President of the Synod through the Chief Mission Officer for the work of the Synod in foreign countries as stated in the Bylaws.

Reporting Relationships

• This position is accountable to the Associate Regional Director.
• Works closely with the LCMS Communication staff to inform and involve LCMS constituents in a meaningful way in the work of the OIM on the field through support-building, newsletter-writing and home-service presentation reporting.

Essential Job Functions

• Commit to an ongoing schedule and strategy for ministry support raising (Network Support Model), Orientation, and initial support building it typically six (6) months.
• Communicate via monthly newsletter to and maintain a relationship with the sending church that includes Together-In-Mission (TIM) congregations as well as other supporting churches, groups, and individuals. 
• Complete missionary training and language acquisition plan under the direction of the Regional Director and the Director of Missionary Services. 
• Oversees the translation process of theological materials for the region including but not limited to: 

o    In conjunction with the Regional Leadership team, develop a roadmap for future translation 
o    Working with partners to secure permission to translate 
o    Coordinate the copyright permissions  
o    Identify translators and coordinate appropriate contracts 
o    Manage deadlines and follow through from contracted translators 
o    Oversee the distribution process 

• Facilitates working in a team setting in the application of the strategy delineated by the partners in each church plant, aiding them in identifying long-term sustainability of their projects.    
• Collaborates with each project to create a detailed strategy and business plan which will promote training of local workers, demonstrate long-term sustainability in each area. 
• Demonstrates the love of Christ by word and deed, working toward the Christian growth (nurture and discipleship) of evangelistic contacts, members, and leaders, especially those in training. 
• Additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s degree preferred. 
• Experience in cross-cultural ministry, preferably overseas through the ministry of the LCMS.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities)

• Active member of an LCMS congregation or of a congregation of any of its partner churches and personal faithfulness to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. 
• Solid comprehension of confessional Lutheran theology and ability to clearly articulate same. 
• Demonstrated ILR 2 proficiency in local Language preferred. If not proficient, a willingness to participate in a language learning program to achieve such proficiency. 
• A strong and proven work ethic and ability to self-start. 
• Demonstrated adaptability, flexibility, and necessary problem-solving skills to live and work in another culture. 
• Exceptional interpersonal skills that facilitate initiating and maintaining relationships with people both within and outside the church. 
• Ability to initiate and maintain relationships with people of another culture. 
• Ability to function effectively in both a team setting and autonomously. 
• Demonstrated resilience. 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and execute tasks. 
• Healthy physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being that facilitates carrying on sustained work in challenging environments. 
• Demonstrated leadership and diplomatic skills. 
• A demonstrated ability to travel extensively and maintain performance expectations in diverse cultural contexts, psychologically stressful environments, and physical hardship conditions with limited resources. 
• Ability to utilize standard technology on the field – laptop, smartphone, and basic connectivity troubleshooting 
• Ability to use the Microsoft Office suite, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the email functions and calendar functions of Microsoft Outlook. 
• Demonstrated resilience and ability to effectively complete a project in an urban environment. 

Supervisory Responsibility

• Network of contractors for design, translation and layout. 
• Local staff as needed.

Travel Expectations

• Up to 15% travel