Costa Rica — Communinity Development Assistant

Title: Communicty development assistant
Location: Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica natioanl office, San Jose
Term of Service: 12 months, beginning as soon as possible.

Assignment summary
This volunteer will support the Community Development department. The volunteer will get to know the community and the community leaders, promoting community participation with the families, and he or she will contact and negotiate with government agencies, civil societies and other Habitat programs. The volunteer will be responsible for forming community groups and committees and will be part of community initiatives, especially at the local and regional level, looking to utilize the input of all interested members, associations, organizations and other community groups. The volunteer will also contribute to project planning that specifically promotes the participation of the aforementioned initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Create a development work plan for the communities.
• Develop community profiles.
• Present strategies and procedures for community participation and committee or group organization.
• Facilitate exchange of ideas, concepts and experiences between members.
• Participate in the planning and execution of projects in collaboration with families and communities.
• Encourage participation with churches, local government and other state institutions and local businesses.
• Coordinate and organize planning meetings and monitor the activities and projects that are being executed.
• Collaborate with the Habitat national office to acquire resources, technical support and support from private enterprises, associations, groups or persons who wish to collaborate with HFH Costa Rica.

Requirements

• English and Spanish fluency, both written and oral.
• Strong verbal communication skills.
• Excellent people skills.
• Ability to problem-solve and think creatively.
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (i.e., Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Internet usage.
• Experience working in multicultural environments is strongly preferred.
• Ability to work across a broad spectrum of private, corporate, religious, government and nonprofit organizations.

Support from the host organization
Work-related transportation costs and office-related supplies will be provided. A monthly allowance of $200 will be provided.

Volunteer budget
Work-related transportation costs and office-related supplies will be provided. The volunteer will be responsible for all other costs associated with living in the host country.

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

*Please contact the nearest Costa Rican consulate for more detials on visa requirements.
**Housing, food and utilities are included in home-stay costs.

Assignment location information
The volunteer will live in the north central part of Costa Rica, about three hours from the Central Valley area. The zone is tropical, with a lot of rainforests. The climate is hot and humid, with rain nearly year-round. Volunteer should pack knowing that the climate will be hot, humid and rainy. A special emphasis should be placed on bringing appropriate clothing, umbrellas, rubber boots, bug spray and sunscreen.

The project is located in the small, very rural town of Abanico, part of the Chachagua district in San Ramón County, which belongs to the Alajuela province. The main office for Habitat for Humanity’s Latin America and Caribbean region and Costa Rica national program is located in San José. The Abanico project was started with the goal of providing housing to people in the area living in extreme poverty. The construction coordinator assistant will serve exclusively at the project site.

The closest city for banks, ATMS, internet and tourist activities is the tourist town of La Fortuna, located about 30 minutes from Abanico. The Arenal volcano is close by.

Habitat for Humanity Costa Rica
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