Guatemala — Global Logistics Assistant

Title: Global logistics assistant
Location: Habitat for Humanity Guatemala national office, Guatemala City, Guatemala
Term of service: 12–24 months (to be filled by August 2009)

Assignment summary
Community mobilization is key to Habitat for Humanity Guatemala’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 20 percent field work and 80 percent office work.

Responsibilities
The volunteer will assist with the organization, implementation and logistics of teams. The volunteer may

• Assist logistics coordinator in communication with team leader before arrival to plan trip.
• Communicate with the GV/Logistics Coordinator regarding the details of the brigade.
• Fill in for logistics coordinator when coordinator is absent (e.g., monitor e-mails daily).
• Relay team logistics to administrative assistant and manage reservations in a timely manner.
• Meet brigades at the airport and orient them on Habitat, Habitat families, where they will work, security issues and country and culture of Guatemala. Provide special presentation on various topics such as advocacy, promotion, statistics, etc.
• Travel to various affiliates with brigades and supervise volunteers during construction and other activities.
• Liaise between brigades, affiliates and families during length of their stay when needed.
• When required, accompany special teams or events to act as translator for periods of up to two weeks.
• Assist GV team in the office with various office tasks.
• Assure that contact information is collected for every team and passed on to resource development.
• Obtain paperwork from all beneficiary families that work with brigades and perform family interviews, including planning with local affiliates.
• Help complete follow-up profiles on all beneficiary families that work with brigades.
• Track donations 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.
• 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.
• Able to work on 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 Guatemala and foreigners.
• Ability to use basic computer programs to fill out reports.
• Willingness 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 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 about US$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 Guatemala
Apply now
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