Regional Representative for South America

Description:
Location:
Argentina

*Agreement Term:*
Full Time, Four Years

*Anticipated Start Date(s) Include:*
February 2, 2026

*Agreement Type:*
Long-term

*Description:*
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.

*Site Information:*
This position will be responsible for accompanying companions in the following countries: Argentina/Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Colombia.

*Assignment Includes:
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.

*Timeline:*

• Application Opens: October 2025
• Interviews: October - December 2025
• ELCA Virtual Orientation: February 2026
• Deploy to Argentina: February 2026

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 during Home Assignment (every 2 years, travel back to the US to visit sponsoring congregations and individuals)

Requirements:
Experience and Skills:

• Bachelor's degree is required, Master's of Divinity or other Theological degree 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.
• Bilingual: Proficiency in English and Spanish
• Theological formation is preferred.

*General Qualifications For ELCA Global Personnel:*

• 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

*Terms And Conditions:*

• Long-Term Terms and Conditions
• This position is supported under the terms of ELCA Service and Justice Expectations and Support for Long Term Mission Personnel. Those provisions include international transportation, transportation related to work assignment, pensions and major medical coverage, assistance with schooling for children through high school, housing and cash salary which is adjusted according to the goods and services differential for Argentina.
• Salary is based on years of work experience.
• If candidate is married, both must complete an application for this position for discernment of the appropriate pattern of service of the spouse. In the context of global mission service, the accompanying spouse is seen as a representative of the ELCA and of the receiving church regardless of their actual role. It is important for the ELCA that both members of a couple understand the role of a missionary and are comfortable with that reality.

Physical Effort
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone. This position requires sitting for long periods of time. Employees will occasionally need to lift boxes or materials up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A psychological evaluation is required.

*Benefits*
The ELCA offers a competitive benefits package for eligible employees, including employer paid health premiums for employees and dependent, life insurance, and a substantial employer contribution to 403b retirement plan (no match required). We also offer additional benefits upon deployment to the country of service.