Issue Date: June 14, 2026
Deadline for Application: June 24, 2026
Time Period for Position: 2 Months – (July 1- August 31)
Project time Period: 20 days- (exact dates to be determined)
Contract type: Short-term
Open at: Ashgabat, Mary, Turkmenabat, and Dashoguz American Spaces

Position Description:

American Councils seeks a highly qualified and experienced Program Coordinator to lead the implementation of the Robotics Training and Tournament Summer 2026 program. The initiative will engage 80 high school students (ages 15–17) through a nationwide, English-language robotics education program delivered across four American Spaces. Using U.S.-developed robotics curricula and platforms such as LEGO Mindstorms, Dash Robotics, and Arduino Education CTC Go!, the program will promote innovation, technology education, problem-solving, teamwork, and STEM leadership.

The program will culminate in a National Robotics Tournament held in Ashgabat during Kids Expo 2026, featuring a NASA and Space Exploration theme that highlights American leadership in science, technology, and innovation.
The Program Coordinator will be responsible for overall program management, curriculum coordination, tournament design and implementation, participant engagement, stakeholder coordination, and support for trainers and facilitators throughout the project lifecycle.

The job is great for someone who has project- or event-leading experience and enjoys working with the team and public. This is a temporary part-time position for the period of July 1, 2026 until August 31, 2026. This position requires frequent coordination with the American Spaces-Experiential Learning Assistant and American Corners Grant Manager.

Position Responsibilities:

Program Design and Management
• Lead the overall planning, coordination, implementation, and monitoring of the Robotics Training and Tournament Summer 2026 program.
• Develop and maintain a detailed implementation timeline and work plan.
• Coordinate activities across four American Spaces and ensure consistent program delivery.
• Monitor program progress and ensure achievement of project objectives and deliverables.
• Prepare program reports, updates, and documentation as required by American Councils.

Curriculum Development and Training
• Finalize the NASA/Space Exploration-themed curriculum framework in collaboration with trainers and technical experts.
• Ensure alignment of training materials with program objectives, age group requirements, and available robotics platforms.
• Develop a comprehensive Training of Trainers (ToT) plan for regional facilitators.
• Coordinate and supervise the implementation of ToT activities.
• Explore and organize logistics for bringing facilitators from the regions to Ashgabat for ToT sessions and program preparation with the assistance of the American Councils staff.
• Assess opportunities to invite representatives from additional educational institutions and learning centers to participate in ToT activities.

Robotics Tournament Design and Implementation
• Design and oversee the National Robotics Tournament based on the NASA/Space Exploration theme.
• Develop tournament rules, competition structure, scoring methodology, judging criteria, technical requirements, and safety procedures.
• Create challenge missions inspired by real-world space exploration, planetary missions, robotics engineering, and scientific discovery.
• Coordinate procurement and preparation of tournament materials, equipment, and competition fields with the assistance of the American Councils staff.
• Recruit, orient, and support judges, mentors, volunteers, and technical staff.
• Ensure fair, transparent, and professionally managed competition procedures.
• Serve as the primary point of contact among trainers, American Spaces, educational institutions, technical experts, and event organizers.
• Coordinate with Kids Expo organizers regarding tournament logistics and exhibition space requirements with the assistance of the American Spaces-Experiential Learning Assistant.

Deliverables:
• The Program Coordinator will be expected to deliver:
• NASA/Space Exploration-themed curriculum framework.
• Training of Trainers (ToT) plan and implementation schedule.
• Tournament design package, including:
o Competition structure
o Rules and regulations
o Technical specifications
o Scoring system
o Judging criteria
o Safety guidelines
o Facilitator training and support plan.
• Participant engagement and communications plan.
• Coordination and logistics plan for the National Robotics Tournament.
• Final program implementation report documenting outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Strong knowledge of educational robotics platforms, including LEGO Mindstorms, Dash Robotics, Arduino, and similar systems.
• Experience developing competition rules, judging frameworks, and tournament operations.
• Experience designing and delivering training programs and Training of Trainers (ToT) workshops.
• Excellent project management, organizational, and coordination skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, creativity, initiative, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

In general, all American Councils staff members are expected to support a positive, team atmosphere and step outside of their formal roles from time-to-time to support the organization, special initiatives, or individual programs when needed.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

A complete application must include:
1. Resume/CV;
2. Cover Letter highlighting motivation for the position.

Please email applications to indicating “Robotics Training and Tournament Summer 2026 Coordinator Position” in the subject line of your email. The application should be received not later than June 24, 2026.

For information, please call (993-63) 50-20-36 or visit our website at https://americancouncilstm.org Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

American Councils is a legal entity in Turkmenistan under the Foreign Assistance Agreement between the governments of the United States and Turkmenistan with the purpose of implementing US Embassy education and cultural exchange programs in Turkmenistan.