I. All about Monsoon
           
What does Monsoon do?
Monsoon is the nickname of the Wycliffe Asia Pacific Communications hub.

We exist to equip the area and inform the world of what God is doing in Asia and the Pacific. We have a three-way approach to communications to readily serve the needs of the Asia Pacific Wycliffe and partner offices: project management, media strategy and journalism. The project management team works on communications projects that are done in-house or sub-contracted to media partners. The media strategy team is a team of consultants with expertise in various communications fields. Journalism is our information-gathering department for stories from the field, photographs, videos, etc. 

Go to Top

Why the name Monsoon?
Monsoon rains are common in the Asia and Pacific region. Without them, harvest will not be as bountiful. Green means abundance, fresh, growth. Blue means rain, wind. Combined together, it means forward thinking, innovative people.

Monsoon is a source of creativity contributing to a bountiful harvest as we serve the Asia Pacific area and inform the whole world about the work of Wycliffe.

Go to Top

How does Monsoon serve the Bible translation movement?
Monsoon’s clients include not only Wycliffe offices but other partner organizations as well, like SIL, The Seed Company and others.

Go to Top

What’s the team like? (How big is Monsoon? How many people?)
Monsoon is composed of creative and talented individuals with professional communications background. Monsoon is one team serving the Asia Pacific area with the talents God has blessed them with.

As of November 2009, Monsoon is a group of twelve communication professionals encompassing the following areas of specialties: writer, editor, photographer, graphic designer, web specialist, project manager, multimedia specialist, creative and marketing consultant, radio broadcast specialist, scriptwriter, children’s resource coordinator, administrators, event coordinators.

Go to Top

How established is Monsoon?
Monsoon exists through Wycliffe International whose vision is serving with language communities worldwide to express God's love through Scripture translation and compassionate service. Wycliffe exists because of these reasons:
Connecting – We want people to meet God and to experience and practice restoration and compassion, building connections that create a network of visible hope.
Transformation – We long to see individuals, communities and nations transformed through God’s love and Word expressed and experienced in their languages and cultures.
For Real Life – When people meet God through the compassion of His followers and through hearing Scripture in words they can understand and relate to, lives can change. Families, communities and cultures can grow stronger. Hope and love can become realities, not just dreams. Justice and mercy can become tangible, not just words.

For more information about Wycliffe, please visit www.wycliffe.net.

II. Monsoon Staff Needs

Is there a place in Monsoon for me? Do I belong here?
If your background is in communications, you definitely belong here! Here is a list of the needs we have:

Writer
Graphic Designer
Web Specialist/Programmer
Photographer (part time)
Multimedia Expert
Project Managers
Marketing Strategists

Go to Top

Where or from whom can I get more information about a position?
Aside from your country’s Wycliffe office, you may visit monsoonhub.org for more information about the position.

Go to Top

What types of work do you do? What skill sets are needed?
We are looking for communications professionals in a variety of fields. We expect applicant to have a four-year degree in a communications-related major or its equivalent in professional experience. From our three-way approach of project management, media strategy and journalism, these are the skill sets needed per job opening:

• Writer – Feature or news writer willing to undergo further training. Journalism education and work background are needed.
• Graphic Designer – Knowledge in and practice of Adobe Creative Suite – Photoshop, InDesign, Flash, Dreamweaver. Media and Arts education background and work background needed.
• Web Specialist/Programmer – LAMP (Linux, Apache, My SQL, Php), HTML, CSS programming knowledge and training required.
• Photographer – Media Arts education background. Able to operate SLR, D-SLR cameras. Willing to travel and train under our media experts.
• Project Manager – Detailed and organized. Flexible and personable. Willing to work under pressure, time-wise and budget-wise.
• Multimedia Expert – Professional expertise in electronic media including broadcasting and web.

Other requirements:

• Willing to work long hours
• Flexible to travel within Asia and the Pacific
• Multicultural team player
• Willing to undergo further training

III. Monsoon and Wycliffe

What is the difference between Wycliffe and SIL?
Wycliffe International believes missions is the work of the Church worldwide. Part of achieving the mission of God, and thereby fulfilling the mandate given to the Church to make disciples of all nations, is having Scripture available for all people in a language and form they understand well. So Wycliffe seeks to contribute to the work of the Church by transforming communities through the work of Bible translation and other compassionate services.

SIL is a professional linguistic research and language development organization, and the primary partner of Wycliffe in the work of translation. SIL facilitates translation of Scriptures when that activity aligns with its professional agreements. “…founded 75 years ago, SIL International is a faith-based organization that studies, documents, and assists in developing the world’s lesser-known languages. SIL’s staff shares a Christian commitment to service, academic excellence, and professional engagement through literacy, linguistics, translation, and other academic disciplines. SIL makes its services available to all without regard to religious belief, political ideology, gender, race, or ethnic background.” Taken from www.sil.org.

Go to Top

How will I get paid? Do I have to get support? Do I have to become a member?
Depending on where God is leading you, we accept communications professionals and graduates as members, employees, volunteers, etc.

Go to Top

Where can I get more information about Wycliffe communications and how it's used on the field?
--

Go to Top

What places in the world have the greatest needs for communications work?
Whether God is calling you to serve in Asia, the Pacific Islands, Africa, or the Americas, communications is a great need. Right now, Asia and Africa have the most open positions for communications personnel.

Go to Top

IV. Questions on applications procedure and other requirements

How do I submit my application form? 
For membership application, please contact your local Wycliffe office. You can find the contact information for your local Wycliffe office on the international website: www.wycliffe.net.

Go to Top

What do I need to include in my job application?
We commit to discuss job openings during the application process and to placement for an assignment upon membership acceptance. Please check the application process with your local Wycliffe office.

Go to Top

Do I have to join an organization?
For a more organized approach, you would need to become a member of your local Wycliffe office or partner organization. This is if you are applying as a member. For volunteers and stints, we can work out other avenues to explore your involvement.

Go to Top

Do I have to raise support?
If you are applying as a member, raising support may be a requirement. However, this is negotiable on a case-to-case basis, per agreement with the Wycliffe office in your country or the local partner organization to which you shall apply as a member.

Go to Top

Do I need formal Bible or theology training to work with Wycliffe?
Formal Bible training is not a requirement but is an advantage. The Wycliffe office in your country will assist you with application requirements concerning theology.

Go to Top

When is the deadline to turn in my application?
There is no particular deadline for application. However, it would be best to pray about the position before applying.

Go to Top

How do I start a process of inquiry?
To start the process, leave your contact details so we can connect you with the local HR or contact your local Wycliffe office directly. (Go to www.wycliffe.net to locate the office in your country.)

Go to Top

Do I need to submit my portfolio? How?
Portfolios are an advantage. Your resume or curriculum vitae would help us too! You may give us a CD/DVD containing your portfolio or lead us to a web link of your portfolio. We also accept samples of your work like past projects, etc.

Go to Top

What will my spouse do if I get accepted for the position?
Since you are applying for a role in the communications hub, we are looking for qualified professional communications experts. Should your spouse wish to be part of Monsoon, he or she needs to meet the requirements we are looking for. If not, we can refer you to the Human Resource team to identify a place for your spouse to serve, if you wish.

Go to Top

Do I need to travel to another country for the interview?
Most interviews are conducted in your country. However, we may require for a physical interview once we get to know you and how your skills will fit Monsoon or another communications office better.

This is a case-to-case basis. We may also get to know you through instant messaging (Skype, YM, etc.) or email correspondence.

Go to Top

How long after the interview will I be notified of decision?
This will depend on how you plan to serve and where you are in the member process.

Go to Top

Can I get feedback about my application?
The local Wycliffe office in your country will give you feedback on your application.

Go to Top

Can I submit my resume without applying for a specific position?
It is an advantage to receive applications with a specific job applied for but we also entertain inquiries.

Go to Top

Do I need to speak English comfortably to work with Monsoon?
Since we work at the area level, we need to be able to communicate with people from a variety of nations. Our corporate business language is English, so all communications people must be able to work in English.

Go to Top

Are there any employment opportunities for people with disabilities?
As long as their disability does not impede on the requirements of the job, anyone with the appropriate skill set can work with the communications team.

Go to Top

Do you have an orientation process where I can get to know the culture of the country where I will serve?
We offer orientation to Monsoon and your area of responsibility. To the country, we defer to the people living in the country to provide orientation.

Go to Top

What is the minimum period I can commit to serving with Monsoon?
Taking into account cultural adjustment and such, a minimum of two years of service is a must. Again, it is a case-to-case basis. We are flexible in terms of service period.

Go to Top

V. Questions about moving overseas

What about passports, visas, immunizations?
Because Monsoon serves organizations throughout the Asia Pacific area team members need to be prepared to travel throughout the region. Assistance will be provided when the time is right to help you make sure that you have all the documents, medical exams, etc… that you will need to fulfill your job requirements. 

Go to Top

Can I choose a country where I can serve as the Lord leads?
Wycliffe acknowledges and encourages people to act in obedience to God's call on their lives. However, our corporate structures and communications needs are such that we expect applicants to exercise a certain measure of flexibility with relation to their place of service. Currently communication hubs are situated in Manila, Nairobi, and Cost Rica, however, the communications staff works as a distributed team with people assigned to a variety of places of high need. We are happy to discuss with applicants any special interests or spiritual leanings they may have, coupled with our own identified corporate needs.  

Go to Top

How about my equipment? Should I bring my own or can Monsoon provide the equipment I need?
You may opt to bring your personal equipment. An agreement with Monsoon on equipment needed will be discussed as soon as application is approved.

Go to Top

Who will take care of housing arrangements in the country I will be assigned to?
We will help you find housing but we will not help financially with housing needs. 

Go to Top