Program Director Roles       Schedule/Day in the Life

Program Director Roles

Our program is designed to equip our Program Directors with the leadership development skills they need to continue their work after their service with MPI in a variety of career fields, including international development, the greater non-profit sector, law, medicine, education, and politics. We focus on five key areas:

Developing & Running Community Programs:
MPI believes in the initiatives of its Program Directors, thereby allotting them with a large amount of responsibility and independence. While working as a team, program directors implement projects and hold each other accountable for meeting established targets and goals. Future MPI Program Directors are responsible for the continuation of all existing programs. In addition, with a focus on sustainable impact, many of our programs are run hand-in-hand with local community leaders, giving program directors the opportunity to develop cross-cultural professional, as well as personal, relationships.
 
Managing Organizational Operations:
In addition to leading programs, Program Directors are also in charge of supporting the Country Director in managing the day-to-day operations. Organizational roles include fundraising, grant writing, monitoring and evaluation, long and short-term recruitment, marketing and publicity, managing finances, and managing house affairs.

Building Relationship:
Relationships are at the core of all that MPI does. Our Program Directors spend significant time working with individuals and families in our communities, collaborating with those we serve to create successful programs and lasting personal growth.  

Raising Awareness:
MPI Program Directors are liaisons between MPI’s international sites and the USA. Program Directors are responsible for publishing blog posts and sharing information with the US office and others. As Program Directors raise financial support, they are also responsible for raising awareness about Manna Project International’s mission, methodology and goals.

 
Hosting Short-Term Volunteers & Training Incoming Program Directors:
To increase cultural understanding and raise awareness about international development, MPI hosts short-term volunteers. Program Directors host these groups and are also responsible for corresponding with interested individuals and designing trip itineraries. Also, during the thirteenth month of a program director’s commitment, they are entrusted with the transition of programs to the incoming team. Current program directors introduce incoming program directors to the community, facilitate training sessions, and hand over the responsibilities of the existing MPI programs.
 

 Program Director Schedule
Example: Day in the Life

8:30          Visit Child Sponsorship Families & Support Clinic Staff in La Chureca
10:00        Planning for programs
11:00        Teach 4th grade English & afterwards play soccer with students
12:30        Lunch at the Manna house
1:30          Time in the community
2:30          Work in the library - play games and read with kids
5:00          Record daily metrics, closeout finances, draft a letter of inquiry for a grant
6:00          Cook dinner and spend time with housemates
Weekend    Go to the beach, climb a volcano, play soccer, etc.