Area Liaison for Europe (based remotely in region)

GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES OF THE UNITED METHODIST C•Atlanta, GA

4d•Remote

About The Position

The General Board of Global Ministries is the worldwide mission, relief, and development agency of The United Methodist Church, working with partners and churches in more than 115 countries to equip and transform people and communities for God’s mission. Global Ministries connects the church in mission through the sending of missionaries, evangelism and church revitalization, disaster response and recovery led by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and global health initiatives. As stewards of the educational mission and intellectual life of The United Methodist Church, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry connects the church and the academy to develop transformational leaders. Elders, deacons, and licensed local pastors benefit from our training and candidacy programs. Young adults receive support in discerning vocation and call through leadership programs. GBHEM also connects and supports a global network of more than 1,000 United Methodist‑related schools, colleges, and universities. The Area Liaison for Europe will be the primary relational bridge connecting the United Methodist Regional Conferences in Europe and other European Methodist related churches and entities with Global Ministries and other United Methodist agencies to further the strategic priorities of our European partners. High priority on ability to understand diverse contextual realities across Europe will be critical along with an ability to engage in dialogical relationships with key stakeholders. This position will be supervised by the Executive Director for Mission Engagement at GBGM, and work closely with the General Secretary of GBGM/GBHEM and an advisory committee composed of UMC Bishops in Europe (or their designees) and general secretaries of the participating agencies, who will provide strategic directions for the position. Regular reporting and adherence to agreed‑upon timelines are expected.

Requirements

Master’s Degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum 5 years of leadership experience within The United Methodist Church.
Clear understanding of the United Methodist Church and its structure especially in Europe
Minimum 5 years of experience living in and understanding European cultural and ecclesial contexts
Demonstrated ability to bridge diverse cultures and develop decolonized approaches to relationships, leadership, and partnership
Strong diplomacy and relational skills with staff, partners, authorities, and beneficiary communities
General knowledge of mission theology, education, discipleship, communication, and United Methodist polity within the European and worldwide contexts.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of multiple languages will be an advantage

Responsibilities

The Area Liaison will be responsible for understanding and articulating the strategic priorities of our European partners communicating these effectively to Global Ministries, Higher Education & Ministry, and other United Methodist General Agencies to guide resourcing determinations.
Additionally, the area liaison will have a good understanding of the assets our European partners bring into this mutual partnership.
In alignment with partner priorities, the area liaison will cultivate potential National in Mission positions, missionary positions (inclusive of global mission fellows), and mission volunteer placements while adhering to Global Ministries’ processes and capacity.
After missionary placements have been cultivated and a missionary has been placed through Missionary Service, the Area Liaison will collaborate with the placement site and the missionary to ensure that all legal documents, travel, and living arrangements are completed, providing intervention when needed.
Once a missionary has arrived at the place of assignment, the area liaison will be responsible for attending to administrative and relational processes related to supervision along with the placement supervisor, meeting at least once every two months with appointed missionaries.
In alignment with partner priorities, the area liaison will connect European partners with resourcing opportunities provided through grants and The Advance.
Broker appropriate grant opportunities through GBGM/GBHEM/UMCOR in alignment with internal processes.
Connect with Advance Special Project partners ensuring alignment with the new system being developed and attending to administrative requirements related to the release of funds to partners and adherence to reporting protocols.
Connect partners with appropriate grant opportunities through participating agencies.
The Area Liaison will provide strategic connection with the Lead Hubs and Methodist related educational institutions located within the European context, seeking to create a unified presence and integrated structure that appropriately aligns education and mission.
The Area Liaison will facilitate communication between European partners and participating agencies based on the strategic directions provided by the advisory body to be created for this purpose.
The Area Liaison will be part of the Mission Engagement Unit staff and will actively participate in the work of the unit.