Regional Representative America

Overview

Location:

Managua, Nicaragua

Agreement Term:
Full Time, Four Years

Anticipated

Start Date:

May 4, 2026

Agreement Type:
Long-term

This position extends the work of the Global Mission Unit Area Desks to companion churches, institutions, and related partners in a given region and within the framework and vision of accompaniment. The unit’s work is extended through faithful stewardship of the ELCA’s relationships with global companion churches and partners requiring deep engagement and presence in their life and ministries. All job responsibilities are carried out in close collaboration and communication with, and under the direction of, the Area Desk Director.

This position will be responsible for accompanying companions in the following countries:
Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

• Relationships:
  Steward ELCA’s relationships with global companion churches and partners through deep engagement and presence in their lives and ministries.
• Program Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation (PME):
  Fulfill those Area Desk grant-related Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation responsibilities most effectively and efficiently carried out by the regional representative.
• Personnel Management:
  Support Area Desk Global Personnel-related responsibilities through presence, information-sharing and timely response in critical situations.
• Mission Interpretation:
  Provide contextual analysis and interpretation to ELCA Global Mission, synods and congregations that is fully informed by the perspective of companion churches and partners and the theological lens of accompaniment.
• Missionary Sponsorship:
  Fulfill missionary sponsorship obligations including home assignment and communications with sponsoring congregations.

This is an ELCA sponsorable position.
All ELCA long-term global personnel participate in mission interpretation and storytelling. This includes:

• Quarterly newsletters to sponsoring congregations and individuals.
• Virtual visits throughout the year with sponsoring congregations and individuals.
• In-person visits are required typically every two years including travel back to the United States to visit sponsoring congregations and individuals.

• Application Opens:
  February 2026
• Interviews:
  February - March 2026
• Introduction to call:
  May 2026 - July 2026
• ELCA Orientation:
  July 2026
• Deploy to Nicaragua:
  Late Summer/Fall 2026

• Bilingual:
  Proficiency in English and Spanish
• Theological formation is preferred.
• Knowledge and commitment to the global mission of the ELCA and an appreciation for the church in all its expressions; knowledge and appreciation for the values, customs and decision-making processes in cultures specific to the region.
• Demonstrated skills in strategic planning, program implementation, project management and evaluation, budgeting.
• Ability to support and supervise as necessary global personnel.
• Collaborative work style within and across teams and skill in collaborative decision making; facility in building and maintaining strong relationships with international companions, ecumenical colleagues, ELCA synods and congregations, and in inter-faith relationships; demonstrated and well-developed competencies in intercultural ministry.

• Ability to interact effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and levels of education.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning sensitive personnel or policy matters.
• Initiative and self-motivation.
• Willingness and ability to work within a consultative team environment.
• Christian faith and a commitment to the mission of the church
• Openness to various expressions of Christian faith and respect for people of other faiths
• Well-developed inter-personal skills demonstrating understanding and compassion
• Ability to work within a framework of a local administration
• Adaptable and flexible - sense of humor - good physical and emotional health
• Live and serve in a way which reflects the vision and expectations of the ELCA

• Long-Term Terms and Conditions
• This position is supported under the terms of ELCA Service and…