Guatemala — Global Village Field Assistant

Title: Global Village field assistant
Location: Habitat for Humanity Guatemala national office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Term of service: 12–24 Months (To be filled by July/August 2009)

Assignment summary
Community mobilization is key to Habitat for Humanity Argentina’s work. Local, national and international volunteers play a critical role in HFHA’s success.

Excellent management of volunteer teams is key to organizational growth in a variety of ways. Many brigades have first-time volunteers, who are able to learn about HFHG. Brigades also serve as a channel through which potential donors are established, and new partnerships with companies and institutions are made.

Together with the Resource Development team and the Global Village coordinator, this assignment will help coordinate and accompany all in-country activities of International Volunteer brigades with the Global Village program. The assignment will be approximately 75 percent field work and 25 percent office work.

Responsibilities
Assist with the organization, implementation and logistics of brigades.

• Some communication with team leader before arrival to plan trip.
• Communication with the GV coordinator regarding the details of the brigade.
• Manage logistics arrangements and re-confirmation of logistics.
• Meet brigades at the airport and orient them to habitat, Habitat Families, where they will work, security issues and the country and culture of Guatemala.
• Travel to various affiliates with brigades and supervise volunteers during construction and other activities.
• Liaise between brigades, affiliates and families during length of stay.
• When required, act as translator for periods of up to two weeks.

Other responsibilities

• Assist GV team in the office with various tasks.
• Complete an evaluation sheet for each brigade and review it with the GV coordinator and Donor Relations.
• Assure that complete contact information is captured for every brigade member.
• Obtain copies of paperwork on all beneficiary families that work with brigades and perform family interviews.
• Help complete follow-up profiles on all beneficiary families that work with brigades.
• Track donation and inventory.

Requirements
Spanish and English fluency, both written and oral; strong verbal communication skills; excellent people skills; willingness to speak in front of groups; responsibility to handle cash; ability to work with large and small groups of volunteers; ability to work unsupervised, multi-task and meet deadlines; willingness to travel extensively all over Guatemala using all forms of public transportation when necessary; able have a flexible work schedule, including weekends and all hours of the day; ability to relate to people of different social status, ethnicity, religion and culture and be a cultural “bridge” between Guatemalans and foreigners; ability to use basic computer programs to fill out reports; willing to serve in Guatemala city office; available to volunteer for a minimum of one year.

Support from the host organization
Due to limited access to computers in the national office, volunteer is encouraged to bring along a personal laptop. Office related transportation will be provided. Volunteer will be responsible for all other costs associated with living in the host country. A stipend of approximately USD $200 may be available to help offset living costs.

Volunteer budget
An estimate for a single individual is given below. (All figures are in U.S. dollars.)

*Contact the nearest Guatemalan consulate for specific information regarding visas.


Additional resources
Habitat for Humanity Argentina
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