Hungary, Szarvas– Volunteer and Construction Assistant

Title: Volunteer and Construction Assistant
Location: Local Affiliate Szarvas, Hungary
Duration: 6 months, beginning as soon as possible- preferably by early June.

Summary: The volunteer and construction assistant will serve in partnership and under the supervision of the construction manager and with one other long-term, international volunteer. The assignment includes preparing for the arrival of volunteer teams, hosting the volunteer teams while they are at the affiliate (on the worksite, off-site activities), daily contact with team, attendance at key team events, and 24-hour emergency support whilst team is in-country. Regarding construction, the volunteer will be assisting the construction manager on site with coordinating construction activities, ensuring adequate and suitable work for volunteers, acting as a team leader for construction volunteers, helping monitor adequate health and safety standards. The volunteer will also assist with supervision and training of volunteers who will be building on site, ensuring that all appropriate instructions are given each day and the correct paperwork has been completed by the volunteers and ensuring that health and safety requirements are met.

Organizationally this role aims to increase the affiliates capacity to be able to host more national and international teams with two key priorities: 1) to increase the number of experienced staff during the building season to ensure annual targets and b) to ensure a quality, fulfilling, and safe experience for volunteers experiencing the work of Habitat for Humanity and building homes in partnership with families in need.

The role will interact with a wide range of national and international volunteers from diverse backgrounds. The volunteer will be sympathetic to the ethos, vision and values of Habitat for Humanity and be comfortable communicating these to others.

Requirements: fluent communication skills in English, some experience working with unskilled construction volunteers, volunteer management/coordination, good interpersonal skills and experience managing people with diverse backgrounds

Preferred: experience or certifications in timber frame construction, concrete pouring, site safety, basic first aid, experience working in cross-cultural situations, experience with MS Office.

Support from Host Organization:
HFH will provide: a cell phone (volunteer must purchase the SIM cards), $50 monthly expense allowance for transportation, $50 expense allowance per month for food.
HFH will arrange but not pay for: housing

Volunteer Budget: Volunteers will be responsible for all costs associated with living in the host country. An estimate for a single individual is given below. (All figures in US dollars.)

*Contact the nearest Hungarian consulate for specific information regarding visas. Be sure to clarify what type of visa you will need (tourist/business, single or multiple entry), length of stay and what to do about visa extensions, if necessary.

**HFH Szarvas will provide $50/month for transportation.

Description of Assignment Location: Szarvas is the western gateway to Békés County. The city is about 180 km from Budapest, has 18,000 inhabitants including a significant Slovak minority. The town has a thousand year old history, and offers many cultural and leisure opportunities. The river crossing the town, called Körös, is the fifth largest “lake” in Hungary, providing water sport opportunities like swimming, fishing, canoeing and boating. In Szarvas there is a botanical garden, with wide range of unique species of plants. The dry mill (driven by horse power) of the town was built in 1838. Alongside the river a historical memorial path was established in 2000, where visitors can find the visual presentation of the Hungarian history.

Nearby there are bigger, historical cities like Szeged, Gyula, Kecskemét, and also the famous thermal bath in Cserkeszőlő. You can enjoy the authentic atmosphere here created by the special Hungarian Plain-land architecture, tasty food, and, foremost, the great hospitality of the friendly country people.

There are ATMs and banks in Szarvas, internet access at the HFH office and also there are internet cafés in the town. Please do not bring Travelers’ Cheques, as they are not accepted in Hungary.

The flat/house rented in Szarvas will be shared by two volunteers, separate bedrooms, but common kitchen and bathroom. Monthly expenses specified for one person. Considering the size of the village, the construction site can be reached in maximum 15 minutes by bicycle from any part of the town. A bicycle can be purchased for 40 USD.

The Habitat for Humanity Szarvas affiliate was established in 2004. Currently we have two employees, the local affiliate director and the construction manager. Since its establishment we have completed 4 homes, 4 more are under construction and we start our renovation project in spring 2007. We build timber frame homes that are quatroplexes. There is no special dress code other than on the building site. You’ll need strong, close-toed shoes and a hat to protect against the sun - hard hat, and other tools needed for save working will be provided. Outside of the volunteer assignment, dressing standards are similar to the US.

Bring your insect repellent – while they are not dangerous, mosquitoes are quite unpleasant during the summer.

Additional Information: Must provide proof of valid MEDEX medical insurance, visa, passport, work permit (if necessary) and plane ticket for return trip home. It is suggested that you purchase an open-ended flight ticket. Passport must be valid for at least six months past the return date.

Life in Hungary:

Geography: Hungary’s landscape is characterized by rolling hills and plains with a slight smattering of mountains. It is a landlocked country with Austria, Croatia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia and the Ukraine as neighbors. There are several beautiful lakes and national parks one can visit, and the Danube river also runs through Hungary. The country is dotted with many small rustic towns in addition to the multi-faceted capital, Budapest.

Available Services: Transportation is mainly by car or train, and Hungary has rail connections to many other countries. There are also many busses that run to locations within the country. In general, transportation is safe, inexpensive and well-developed. Many people choose to bicycle as well.

Credit cards are widely accepted in larger towns and cities, but not so much in smaller towns. No traveler’s cheques are accepted in Hungary. There are plenty of banks and ATMs. Medical services generally require immediate cash payment.

Safety and Security: In general, Hungary is a safe country. There remains the possibility of demonstrations and strikes to occur in many cities and towns in Hungary. Volunteers are advised not to participate in strikes and protests. Pickpockets are quite common, especially in crowded public places and during tourist season. It is advised that you carry only small amounts of cash. If approached by police, ask to see police credentials.

Cultural Insights: Hungary has a rich cultural heritage, especially around the fine arts. It is home to the composer and pianist Franz Liszt. In general Hungarians are hard-working and value differences. Food consists of many pork and beef dishes, including goulash, or stews.

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