Project Wave of Optimism
Playa Gigante, Nicaragua
Description of Project Wave of Optimism:
Project Wave of Optimism (Project WOO) – a registered 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization delivers collaborative programs to improve quality of life in rural Nicaraguan communities. For further information on our mission, vision and approach to community development, please visit: www.projectwoo.org.
Currently Project WOO is looking for an enthusiastic, responsible, independent yet team oriented person to work collaboratively with the local community of Playa Gigante and the WOO team in the organization, growth, oversight and management of the WOO Immersion Program
Position Title:WOO Immersion Program Coordinator
Supervisor:Executive Director
Dates of Position: Immediate (18 month minimum contract)
Compensation: Competitive (depending on experience)
WOO Immersion Program Coordinator Scope of Work:
S/he will lead in the planning, facilitation and coordination of all Project WOO Immersion groups. S/he will serve as the primary liaison between Project WOO groups and Project WOO program areas and community leadership. S/he will also be responsible for all pre and posttrip communication as well as searching for new groups that would like to participate in the Immersion Program.
Role and Responsibilities: Program Development
Compensation: Competitive (depending on experience)
WOO Immersion Program Coordinator Scope of Work:
S/he will lead in the planning, facilitation and coordination of all Project WOO Immersion groups. S/he will serve as the primary liaison between Project WOO groups and Project WOO program areas and community leadership. S/he will also be responsible for all pre and posttrip communication as well as searching for new groups that would like to participate in the Immersion Program.
Role and Responsibilities: Program Development
- Create solid programming design for all incoming Immersion program groups facilitated by Project WOO
- Cultivate and sustain relationships with partnering organizations that will result in longterm relationships with the community and that will continue to support/strengthen WOO's operational budget
- Work with homestay program and create sustainable plan for families involved
- Continue the development of WOO Internship Program, which includes, but is not limited to: the oversight, management, orientation and support of WOO Interns.
- Develop innovative ideas and activities to ensure successful community/group exchange and integration.
- Collaborate with WOO English Program and WOO Health Program to ensure participation of groups in WOO programming.
- Support in the development of WOO surf programs
- Lead and facilitate all Immersion groups
- Promote and facilitate positive intercultural interaction and organize/oversee immersion activities
- Translation for all groups
- Perform introductory briefings about Project WOO and the community of Gigante, including history, current state of affairs, geography, key community leaders, and other orientation information to a variety of travelers and volunteers
- Deliver introductions, briefing on homestays, safety, expectations, etc...
- Provide daily support at project work sites as needed
- Ensure volunteer safety on both land and in water
- Organize housing and food for all groups, coordination with homestays and organization with local hotels
- Organize transportation (when needed) for groups
- Prepare budgets for all groups
- Reconciliation of expenses at end of each Immersion Trip
- Ensure MINSA approval for medical brigades alongside Health Center and Health Program Manager
- Ensure knowledge of group arrival to community committees, school, MINSA, MINED, police and other stakeholders
- Ensure hiring of additional translators for medical brigades
- Bachelor's degree essential; Master's or equivalent experience in public health, public policy, urban planning, education, social work, international development, or related field
- Ability to read, write and speak confidently in both Spanish and English
- Experience facilitating a variety of diverse volunteer groups of various age levels
- International rural community development experience (community engagement, capacity building, project design, management, reporting)
- Experience working with a diverse, crosscultural team, including building professional relationships
- Wilderness First Aid, CPR and Life Guard Certification
- Knowledge of surf culture and its growing impact on local communities
- Experience with surfing and ability to surf, able to teach basic surf lessons and have strong knowledge of ocean water safety
Skills:
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV (or resume) to Lisa Bisceglia atlbisceglia@projectwoo.org
- Leadership and Professionalism
- Project management skills: organization, ability to multitask, information management
- Facilitation of youth and adult groups
- Strong interpersonal skills; capacity to engage with diverse group of stakeholders
- Strategic and analytical thinking, strong problem solving skills
- Meticulous attention to detail and deadlines
- Self directed and motivated once given general instructions;
- Able to work within a team setting as well as autonomously
- Knowledge of MS Office and Google Docs
- Clear oral and written communication skills in Spanish and English
- Experience developing and implementing, monitoring & evaluating frameworks and tools
- Experience leading and facilitating community meetings and in other large group settings
- Social Media
- Experience working with local Ministries of Health and Education
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV (or resume) to Lisa Bisceglia atlbisceglia@projectwoo.org