Site Developer - Tena, Ecuador

(Temporary, 3-month position)

Job Description

Manna Project International, an Orlando-based nonprofit operating in Ecuador, and the USA, fosters 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. At our international site, groups of 3- to 12-month volunteers live and work together implementing a range of health, education, and economic livelihood community development projects. These long-term volunteers, called Program Directors, also help manage summer intern volunteers (5-10 weeks) and short-term groups (1-week volunteers, typically for Spring Break). For more background on MPI, please visit our website, www.mannaproject.org. 

The Site Developer - Tena (SD-T) leads the exciting and pioneering development of a new MPI community site around Tena (within 30 km of central Tena). Once foreign volunteers are expected to arrive to Tena, perhaps around April or July 2021, the SD-T would be the top candidate to be hired permanently as the Site Coordinator for Tena. The SD-T is supervised by MPI’s Executive Director, based in the U.S. Per MPI’s team approach, the SD-T actively collaborates with MPI’s team of 2 in Chillos Valley, and US-based staff. The SD-T will receive substantial training, mainly about MPI’s model, operations, ideal site critieria and culture, both in-person and remotely, from MPI staff based in Ecuador and the U.S.

As MPI is a small organization in Ecuador, the SD-T role ranges widely, from grassroots hustle and menial tasks, to high level strategy and personnel/legal judgments.

During site development (around 3 months term), this position is half-time, or 90 hours per month. After the site becomes operational (around April or July 2021), when foreign volunteers arrive, the SD-T would be a leading candidate to become MPI’s full-time, permanent, Site Coordinator for Tena. The Site Coordinator would supervise & support all foreign volunteers, oversee the implementation of all community development programs, and manage Tena site finances, volunteer housing and safety, and administrative / legal activities.

We’re looking for someone with: 

  • Insightful knowledge and contacts in the Tena region

  • Strong relationship-building skills

  • Fluency in Spanish and proficiency in English (especially for writing in English the deliverables listed below)

  • Strong skills in critical & strategic thinking

  • Experience in and a passion for community development and/or community organizing

  • Experience working with foreign volunteers

  • An entrepreneurial initiative and pioneering spirit to organize a new site that currently lacks structure

  • A strong ability to multi-task and balance short- and long-term goals

  • A willingness to represent and contribute to MPI’s collaborative, community-based, holistic approach to community development 

  • A minimum 3-month commitment

  • A Bachelor’s degree preferred

The SD-T’s weekly responsibilities include any and all tasks necessary to creating, and planning, the site operations of MPI in the Tena area, including but not limited to:

Description of Responsibilities:

Site Development:

  1. Research 2-4 small communities around Tena, and join a team decision process to choose one, base community for MPI’s new site of volunteer housing,  some MPI-operated community programs, and some partner programs.

  2. Build strong relationships at the new site with community members, leaders, partner organizations, government officials, etc.

  3. Design 2-6 potential programs that MPI could operate when foreign volunteers arrive.

  4. Design, with partner organizations, 2-4 partner programs that volunteers would begin implementing / supporting when foreign volunteers arrive.

  5. As part of our Recruitment team, help recruit foreign volunteers for the new site (Program Directors for March or April 2021 start, and interns for May-July 2021 sessions).

The deliverables for the Site Developer, with some assistance from teammates, are:

  1. A written, specific Site Operation Plan that meets MPI goals in opening the chosen site, for a specific community that shows willingness, capacity and need. The Plan will include estimated time MPI volunteers will spend implementing each community program, and rationale for each community program based on a Community Needs Assessment, conducted and written by the SD-T.

  2. Annual operating budget proposal for the site, for the founding year as well as ongoing future years

  3. Draft contractual agreements (community leaders, partner orgs) and leases for space for MPI program operations, and/or Housing for foreign volunteers, that would be signed only when MPI is ready to begin operating the site

  4. Active and positive relationships with community leaders and members, key partners and other local residents, built in-person with at least one other Ecuador-based staff for MPI.

  5. Written division of roles between Tena Site Coordinator, other MPI staff, and partner organizations and individuals.

  6. Marketing content (photos, written descriptions of community programs, housing / lifestyle, etc) to describe new site to potential volunteers and donors

  7. Extensive written description of chosen community: history, culture, language levels, population, jobs, schools, government, physical geography, economic levels, houses, community spaces and private facilities, development needs, etc.

Additional Information: 

Salary:  $250-$500 per month (half-time, about 90 hours work per month)

Benefits: 

  • Local transport and administrative expenses paid for work activities

Start Date:  During November 2020 - January 2021

How to apply: Send a resume and cover letter describing your fit with MPI and this position to jobs@mannaproject.org. 

Please Note: Only short-listed applicants will be notified.