Ecuador Country Director

Position 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 Shandia (Ecuador) site, newly launching in May 2023, the Ecuador Country Director (CD) supervises and actively mentors a “long-term (12 months+)” team of 5-6 employees/volunteers, a local Site Coordinator, and seasonal volunteers in the realization of MPI’s mission, vision and goals. The local Site Coordinator assists the CD with administrative tasks, and local / Kichwa cultural integration. The CD and long-term (LT) team focus on building relationships between MPI and locals, and developing and implementing a range of small health, education, and economic livelihood community development projects. With a priority on community, the LT team lives and works together in Shandia / Tena.

Duties

The CD will spend all their work time in Shandia / Tena, and live in Shandia or within 30 min. drive of Shandia.
1. Managing & supporting foreign Program Directors & shorter-term volunteers (40%)
Supervising PDs and volunteers to ensure their well-being, safety, personal and professional development, effectiveness in projects and overall volunteer experience.
Navigating the transition between groups of 13-month Program Directors and volunteers, with an eye toward efficient, effective, and sustainable progress in community relationships & programs;
In partnership with MPI’s Recruitment Manager, assist recruitment of PDs and volunteers to support our community program and recruitment goals. 
2. Leading relationship-building between the MPI team and local residents, partner organizations, vendors and others. (20%)
3. Overseeing community development programs that benefit underserved locals (20%)
Ensuring that volunteers conduct community programs, both MPI-operated & those run by community partner, in a goal-oriented, culturally sensitive way, and that programs are in line with the mission of MPI.
Building and deepening local and international partnerships.
Overseeing management of Manna’s Community Center (Centro), including maintenance issues as they correspond to budget and program effectiveness, and ensuring safety of these areas, etc.
4. Managing all organizational, legal & administrative operations (20%)
Managing on-site finances, fundraising, legal compliance.

Qualifications

• Strong relationship-building skills
• Fluency in English and advanced Spanish
• A minimum of two years' experience in Latin America (preferably Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru or Bolivia) 
• Experience in and a passion for grassroots community development and/or community organizing 
• A passion for and experience in working with volunteers, college students or in leading Gen Z people
• A visionary mind and an entrepreneurial initiative, very comfortable with ambiguity and sudden change
• A strong ability to multi-task and balance short- and long-term goals
• Personal experience as an international volunteer (preferred)
• Experience in the classroom (preferred), enthusiasm in working with youth aged 6-17.
• A willingness to commit and contribute to MPI’s collaborative, community-based, holistic approach to community development 
• A minimum two and a half-year commitment
• A Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred

Salary: $23,600-$29,000

Application instructions

Start date in May or June preferred. Send a resume and cover letter describing your fit with MPI and this position to [email protected]

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

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