Applicant FAQ
Can I choose the country to
which I want to go?
Applicants are asked to prioritize the world areas they would prefer as assignment
location; however, EMDAP cannot guarantee that applicants will be placed
in the area of their choice. Placements are made based on the compatibility
of business skills, training and language ability with job descriptions.
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Where will the assignments
be?
The assignments vary year by year and are determined by the response of the
USAID field missions abroad. Usually, assignments span the globe, and EMDAP
is able to place more than one adviser in each of the four world regions:
Africa; Asia & the Near East; Europe & Eurasia; and Latin America & the
Caribbean.
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When do the assignments take
place?
Assignments begin in September and last until July or longer.
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What kind of companies do Advisers
work with?
Assignments range from working with a growing microfinance organization in Central America on human resource policy to marketing chips for a small business in St. Petersburg,
Russia, to establishing international standards for shrimp exports in Bangladesh.
Each Adviser brings to the assignment a broad knowledge of financial, commercial
and marketing techniques along with an ability to apply business solutions
to diverse situations. Often, Advisers work with non-profit foundations and
non-governmental organizations who serve the local business community.
Usually their role is to assist in the managerial development of these organizations
and to aid integration and cooperation with local businesses and business-serving
organizations.
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What kind of features & benefits does
the program offer?
Advisers are awarded a grant that covers: monthly living expenses;
housing; language training where necessary; microfinance, business
development or sector-specific training if needed; health insurance and one
round-trip airfare from the US to the host country. They are also provided with the use of a laptop computer for the duration of their assignment. Other allowances vary from country to country.
Benefits of an EMDAP assignment include:
- Gain one year professional, hands-on work experience in
a developing economy.
- Benefit from the unique opportunity to network with international
businesses and NGOs.
- Become a published author with the publication of the EMDAP
Case Study book.
- Immerse yourself in the local culture during the 10-month assignment.
- Education loan deferment.
- Enhance professional opportunities to work with USAID, its implementing partners, and emerging markets.
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Typically what kind of skills
do advisers have?
Advisers come from diverse backgrounds though most share some of the following
experience and training:
- Graduate study in business administration and/or international
management including international business, finance, economics,
development, or information systems
- International and/or overseas study or work experience in private
business, or the Peace Corps
- Language skills
- Adaptability to a developing world: from business to social
environment
- Interpersonal skills
- Interest and desire to learn and share experiences
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Is a foreign language required
to apply to EMDAP?
A foreign language is not a requirement for the EMDAP.
English is often the chosen business language in the host organizations.
Yet fluency in a second language can help in determining the
area of an assignment.
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Does EMDAP offer any opportunities
when advisers return home from assignment?
Upon return from the EMDAP assignment, there will
be opportunities for creating linkage and contacts with USAID
networks, including a debriefing meeting at USAID to present
your assignment experience. EMDAP does not guarantee any sort
of placement after the assignment is completed, but USAID shows
great interest and preference to EMDAP alumni for continuing
work and possible employment upon completion of an assignment.
The USAID implementing partners very often make contact efforts
even before the completion of assignments to outstanding performers.
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I have already completed my
graduate degree a year ago; do I still need to submit a school
endorsement form as part of the application?
If, at the time of your departure, you have completed
your graduate degree, you do not need to submit a school endorsement
form. This form is only for enrolled students who will be taking
a year off from their graduate program at the time of the assignment.
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How are student loans handled
during he time of my assignment? Are they given deferral
status since I’m still a student but working abroad?
You have to obtain the proper forms from the financial
aid office in order to defer your loans. There is a portion
that IIE signs, and we also have a letter we can provide as
verification that you are participating in the program, if
needed.
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