Global Brigades Honduras
Position: Water Brigades Program Coordinator
ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND: Global Brigades (www.globalbrigades.org) is a secular, 501c3 nonprofit organization that empowers and mobilizes university students and professionals to collaborate with communities in developing countries in creating sustainable solutions that improve quality of life while respecting local culture and improving the environment.
Water Brigades is a program of Global Brigades, a secular, 501c3 nonprofit organization of passionate volunteers who mobilize toward positive social change. Global Brigades is the world’s largest student-led global health and sustainable development organization. Since 2004, Global Brigades has mobilized thousands of university students and professionals through nine skill-based service programs to improve quality of life in under-resourced communities.
- Water Brigades, as an integral part of the Global Brigades mission, works to empower rural Honduran communities to improve health and quality of life through the implementation of water related infrastructural projects, community organization, and education.
- Water Brigades also works equally to empower volunteers to participate in a real life, international development experience during which they learn the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene to health, develop a teaching/learning relationship with a rural developing community, and leave with a heightened knowledge and interest in international development and global water issues.
POSITION LOCATION: Office based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. All project implementation occurs in rural villages typically between 1-3 hours outside of the city.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Program Coordinator assists in all aspects of the Water Brigades program in rural Honduras and is primarily responsible for managing the relationship between our brigade volunteers and communities where we work. This involves collaboration with Global Brigades Staff from all Honduras programs, local community members, other nonprofit organizations, and University students in all phases of community development projects, which include butare
not limited to:
- Identifying and developing new sustainable water related development projects
- Planning and management of water projects in collaboration with GWB staff, volunteers, community members, local government, etc.
- Managing the purchasing and transportation of project materials
- Collaborating with local governments and non-profit partners
- Assists technician with project follow-up in all previous Water Brigades communities
- Marketing the WB program to volunteers (University faculty, students, professionals)
- Creation of pre and post project documentation
- Collaboration on the creation of marketing material
- Assisting technician with trainings and activities of community Water Councils and Basic Sanitation Committees
- Planning and management of logistics for volunteer trips
- Leading groups of volunteers on a one week Water Brigade in rural Honduras including overseeing student safety and overall experience
- Leading and coordinating a team of GB staff (translators, drivers, technicians, etc.) during one week brigades
- Development and implementation of health and environment related educational programs in which volunteers can participate
- Discussing global water and health issues with volunteers
- Translating to improve communication between community members and volunteers
- Assist in training new program advisors or other Water Brigades staff as needed
EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:
- Native/Fluent English speaker
- Advanced Spanish Speaker
- Extensive group leadership experience
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in a health, international development,
and/or education related field
- Strong organizational and planning skills
- Ability to be positive, flexible, assertive and work on a multicultural team
- Willingness to commit to at least 18 months
- Excellent computer skills, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Availability to work long hours; during brigade seasons being away for weeks at a time
- Flexible and able to handle changing priorities
- Ability to live and work in developing country settings
- Ability to participate in physical activity, walking/hiking, and physical labor
- Basic manual labor/construction and outdoors/hiking experience
- Commitment to the mission and goals of Global Brigades
- Experience in international/community development preferred
- Experience in creative youth education preferred
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Water Brigades Program Lead and Program Developer of Global Brigades-Honduras
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: Water Brigades team, Program Manager, Executive Director and Chief Program Officer, Research & Evaluation team, fellow program teams
LIVING CONDITIONS/COMPENSATION: This is an opportunity to gain significant experience in international health and development through projects that will significantly benefit the people of rural Honduras. In addition, other benefits include ability to live in Honduras, experience local culture, and increase Spanish communication skills.
Compensation includes room and board provided, a small personal monthly stipend, emergency health insurance, and visa renewal costs.
Start Date: Early February 2013
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing your specific qualifications and interest in the position to the Program Coordinator, Rachel Rimmerman at rachel@globalbrigades.org and copy the Program Lead, Ben Erker at benerker@globalbrigades.org and the Program Manager, Katie Susman at katie.susman@globalbrigades.org. Please be sure to send the documents as attachments and include the job title in your subject line. Applicants who best match the position needs will be contacted.
Global Brigades team members represent the organization both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and GB’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
