In July of 1998, we arrived in Bosnia-Herzegovina to begin a 3-year assignment with Mennonite Central CommitteeMennonite Central Committee.

The first 9 months of our assignment were spent in Banja Luka with International Orthodox Christian CharitiesInternational Orthodox Christian Charities. Unfortunately, the assignment there never really developed as planned, and during the time we were evacuated from Banja Luka (during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia), IOCC encouraged us to pursue other options with MCC, if we felt that was best.

So, in April 1999, we moved to Sarajevo to work as program managers of a local organization called Face to Face Interreligious Service. It was founded in 1996 by fra Ivo Markovic, a Bosnian Franciscan priest. His vision is to work with the different religious communities of Bosnia-Herzegovina to foster dialogue and understanding, which will enable them to contribute to peace and reconciliation in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

We have extended our 3-year term for one additional year and will return to the United States in June 2002. MCC is currently looking for someone to continue working at Face to Face Interreligious Service. Here is the job description for our position:

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Assignment title: Program Manager of
Face to Face Interreligious Service
Term: 3 years
Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH)
Date Required: Language study to begin March 2002
Qualifications:

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship, active church membership, and non-violent peacemaking.

1.) Experience in organizing
2.) Excellent relational and communication skills
3.) Writing and editing skills
4.) Able to work independently
5.) Willingness and interest in cooperating with various religious traditions and those with no tradition. (Islam, Jewish, Catholic Christian and Orthodox Christian)
6.) Knowledge of Bosnia’s main religious groups is helpful
7.) Skills and knowledge in choral music are helpful
8.) Flexibility

Assignment Description:

Face to Face, Interreligious Service was organized to be a meeting point on peace and reconciliation in BiH, particularly in Sarajevo. The service attempts to provide a safe space for counseling and support for peacemaking initiatives in the region. This work is the initiative of the Bosnian Franciscans in Sarajevo, inviting the participation of various Christian, interfaith and peace groups. Face to Face is an independent, non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit, voluntary organization for the promotion of interreligious dialogue, cooperation and understanding in Bosnia-Herzegovina. It is project-oriented and open to the current needs in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Priorities are: reconciliation; peacemaking; interreligious projects animating the religious communities for cooperation, dialogue, and ecumenical relations; the affirmation of the positive side of life in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and bringing together and activating people for healing in Bosnia-Herzegovina

The main mentor and director of the service, fra Ivo Markovic, a Bosnian Franciscan priest and social activist who has been involved in peace ministry throughout the war and after. The role of the MCC worker will be to support his initiatives and those of local peacemakers, to coordinate the programming for the service, and work with local people in implementing projects and goals.

Duties

1.) Coordinate activities of the service
2.) Write proposals and contact donors to obtain funding for the activities of the service
3.) Coordinate the activities of the service’s main project, interfaith choir Pontanima.
4.) Seek out local initiative with the goal of the service becoming indigenous and self-supporting
5.) Sing and participate in choir Pontanima’s activities
6.) Be a liaison between local people and internationals.
7.) Write articles on the activities of the service and the peace and reconciliation processes in BiH for an international audience
8.) Host delegations and help them coordinate their time in Sarajevo and BiH
9.) Keep the service stocked with needed office supplies
10.) Be informed about current events in the region

Location description:

Sarajevo is the capital of BiH. It is a predominantly Muslim city but has been a meeting point of cultures and religions throughout history and remains a multi-ethnic society. It saw a significant amount of destruction during the war from 1992 – 95. Since the end of the war Sarajevo has seen great rebuilding but still remains economically dependent on the international community. Its remaining population of about 450,000 is somewhat divided and traumatized, yet the spirit of the city remains dynamic and open. In the last two years much of the NGO sector has downsized and the economic prosperity that comes with that has diminished. Unemployment in Bosnia is between 60 and 80%. Sarajevo is considered very safe and cosmopolitan. The inter-city transportation is very good and reliable. It is about 5 hours drive from Zagreb, Croatia and 6 to Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
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