Costa Rica — Resource Development Assistant

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

Assignment summary
Reporting to the resource development coordinator, the volunteer will be responsible for assisting the operations of HFH Costa Rica’s Resource Development department. Specific duties include organizing and filing documents, managing documentation and informational databases, preparing documents, responding to correspondence and telephone inquiries, collecting and investigating information for the elaboration of documents and providing logistical support.

Responsibilities

• Provide innovative ideas for designing a system for national and international fundraising for house improvements, individual houses and housing projects.
• Create and maintain a database of Habitat beneficiaries during the past 30 months, including photographs and family stories.
• Create a filing and recording system, so that databases such as beneficiaries database can be expanded in the future.
• Systematize and document Habitat experiences in relation to housing projects, community development and families served, all with national and international fundraising purposes. For this purpose, the volunteer will work from the central office and will also coordinate and visit regional offices in different parts of the country.
• Create and keep a donor database for national and foreign donors, using the Donor Perfect system.
• Coordinate with the Communications department for the purpose of positioning and marketing HFH Costa Rica.
• Help design and utilize a communications system with Habitat regional offices so that information that may be useful for fundraising purposes is more effective.
• Complete other tasks and assignments related to fundraising efforts as requested by the Resource Development coordinator.

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.
• Experience in construction administration is highly preferred.

Support from the host organization
Work-related transportation costs will be covered and office-related hardware, including a computer, will be supplied. A monthly allowance of $200 will be provided.

Volunteer budget
Other than those noted above, volunteer will be responsible for all 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 details 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 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
Apply now
Back to volunteer positions