One Year Ecuador Community Development Fellow
Start Date: July 2019
Location: Chillos Valley, Ecuador (just outside Quito)
Period of employment: 1 year (renewable)
Stipend: $8500 /year plus benefits, for full-time work (40 hours per week)
JOB DESCRIPTION
Manna Project International (MPI), a US-based nonprofit organization operating health, education, and economic empowerment programs in Ecuador, is looking for Community Development Fellows to strengthen our team creating communities of young leaders that help break the cycle of poverty in underserved communities around the world.
Since 2004, Manna Project International has fostered communities of talented young leaders to become the next generation of social change agents by engaging in collaborative, on-the-ground service with international communities in need. MPI’s talented staff and volunteers operate programs impacting thousands of beneficiaries annually. We seek to empower and develop our short-term and long-term volunteers, and Fellows, through active skills building and hands-on leadership opportunities over the course of their service. For more background on MPI, please visit our website, www.mannaproject.org.
MPI has continuously grown and evolved its impact over the past 15 years through creative partnerships, award-winning programs and initiatives, and diverse sources of funding. Over our history, nearly 2000 volunteers have served around 10,000 participants in Ecuador, Nicaragua and Guatemala. These volunteers typically come from the US, are college students or recent graduates, and serve on-site for 1 week to 1 year.
The Fellow gains practical, developing-country experience managing and implementing community development projects, fulfilling nonprofit organization roles, and supervising and supporting foreign volunteers. The Fellow also gains experience with Spanish and intercultural awareness, much opportunity for personal growth, and fun connecting with U.S. peers. The stipend and benefits are designed to pay for all of a Fellow’s living expenses over the year, except international airfare. This “dream job” is a rare opportunity to gain career & leadership skills, find meaning in helping underserved people, and have many adventures in a fascinating and spectacular foreign country!
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
The Fellow works with other in-country staff to contribute to the successful and smooth implementation of community programs, volunteer oversight, operating our Community Center, and organization operations. The Fellow’s daily responsibilities vary a lot by month, and include any and all tasks necessary to maintaining and improving the community programs & administration of MPI, including but not limited to:
- Managing community development programs in education, health and economic livelihood (around 30% of time): Depending on the needs of the community, what activities can’t be covered by other staff, and the skills & interests of the Fellow, s/he manages and implements a set of programs assigned by the supervisor. Such programs may include public health education, facilitating nutritional cooking workshops, youth sports & fitness, summer camp, supporting local professionals conduct swim therapy for special needs children, preschool classes, homework tutoring and befriending disadvantaged teen girls, organic gardening, library, kids’ guitar classes and more. Other programs may include gender empowerment, business development, sustainability & environmental conservation, computer literacy, creative arts, STEM, and more!
- Teaching English courses for kids and adults (30%): The Fellow teaches English courses, one of our most successful programs with over 10 courses per trimester (Fellow teaches around 3 courses per trimester, depending on staffing). MPI provides training, curricula and lesson plans to enable the Fellow to teach kids or adult courses alone. S/he can also help improve the curricula and lesson plans!
- Supervising & supporting foreign volunteers (20%): For one-week college group trips, summer interns, and Program Directors, Fellow helps with recruitment, orientation, logistics, program placements and volunteer supervision & support.
- Organizational Operations (20%): The Fellow coordinates or supports various nonprofit organization roles, as assigned by the supervisor. Roles may involve: communications & social media; coordinating fundraising events, grantwriting and donor cultivation; finance processes; program metrics, monitoring & evaluation; partnership development; and other administrative tasks.
REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited university required
- Commitment to MPI’s collaborative, community-based, holistic approach to community development
- Demonstrated flexibility: with what programs & organization roles get assigned to Fellow; and with cultural & lifestyle norms in a developing country in Latin America.
- A strong ability to multi-task and balance short- and long-term goals
- Personal or professional cross-cultural experience
- Lived overseas 2 months or more
- Spanish at intermediate level preferred
- Experience teaching English as a foreign language a plus
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Reports to: Country Director – Ecuador
Compensation: Stipend of $8500 per year, as an employee of MPI’s U.S. organization.
Benefits as below:
- Two weeks paid vacation
- Ten national holidays of Ecuador
- Emergency Travel Insurance
- Visa to live/work in Ecuador for the duration of employment with MPI
- Leadership & professional development: paid quarterly retreats and monthly workshops, mentoring & other training.
- Coverage of all work-related transportation and communication expenses
- Option to share MPI group housing and meals at major discount
- No income taxes (U.S., state or Ecuador) on stipend when it is used to pay living expenses with receipts
- Access to distinguished network of 2,000+ alumni volunteers, staff & Board members
Responsibility of Fellow:
- International flight
- Health insurance
- Housing
- Food
- Transport to and from home to work site (MPI pays for on-the-job transport)
- Cell phone & local usage plan
How to apply: Send a resume and cover letter describing your fit with MPI and with this position to apply@mannaproject.org.
Please Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be notified.