Volunteer Director

Community in Action is a grassroots non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) located in one of Rio de Janeiro’s largest favela (slum) communities. Our mission is to offer vocational and cultural classes for students of all ages, as well as personal development opportunities for volunteers. The majority of NGOs in Rio offer outreach programs on a service model: slum inhabitants simply use the services others (who live outside the community) deem they need. We implemented a new approach, a new vision — one that fosters the possibility of long-term community change by including residents in the operation of the organization. Currently, slum residents staff the majority of human resource and administrative positions. These present and future community leaders are the volunteers, the teachers, and the administrative teams. This partnering of services, promoting activism and personal development, is founded on the belief that there is a balance and reciprocal relationship between a successful NGO and cooperative community.

After seven years of operating, we have made significant progress in the community where we are located. In January 2012, we will change our business model to begin placing volunteers from around the world in NGOs throughout the favela where we are located. This new business model will be in-line with the tourism growth in Rio de Janeiro over the next few years, leading to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics. We need a new VOLUNTEER DIRECTOR to help us design and implement our future-state model. It will require strategic planning, operations management, and implementation support.

We are currently seeking a Full-Time Volunteer Director to begin in October or November 2011 for at least a six month period (put preferably longer). PLEASE ONLY APPLY IF YOU CAN COMMIT TO THIS AMOUNT OF TIME OR 1 YEAR. This position entails several responsibilities. As the Volunteer Director, you will direct day-to-day operations of all volunteers in Rio de Janeiro. ONLY A LOCAL TRANSPORATION STIPEND WILL BE PROVIDED (more detail under salary below). Your duties will be carried out by working closely with the organization’s Operations Director, Founders, and volunteers.

RESPONSIBILTIES:

PLANNING

• Help formulate objectives to recruit volunteers: develop outreach program options

• Prepare quarterly performance reports on achievements of goals and objectives

PROGRAMMING

• Develop marketing material and conduct marketing activities in community with volunteers

• Solicit contributions and help organize fundraising campaigns through volunteers

• Sustain and modify volunteer recruitment processes and support volunteer logistics

PERSONNEL

• Manage volunteers: recruit, conduct on-boarding activities, delegate assignments, monitor

• Recruit and train community volunteers to work with international volunteers

• Develop new outreach programs and strategies to assist with long-term sustainability

COMMUNITY RELATIONS

• Support writing news stories and update website with public information

• Provide organization linkage with other organizations

• Interpret/Represent organization in community

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A./B.S. Degree

• Two years full-time experience (required)

• Non-profit experience (required)

• Strategic planning experience (a plus)

• Working knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint

• * The Full-Time Volunteer Director must have basic knowledge or be proficient in Portuguese before beginning. Speaking Spanish is a plus.

SALARY

Please note that due to our not-for-profit goals and means of sustainability, the Full-Time Volunteer Director will only receive a local transportation stipend. Funds can be raised beforehand on behalf of the NGO to help with living expenses – percentage breakdowns will be discussed during the interview process. In order to fulfill this position, therefore, you are responsible for covering your personal living expenses. PLEASE ONLY APPLY if you are in interested and can support yourself financially while in Rio. As noted above, development activities can also take place outside of Brazil.

Sustainable community development in Rio de Janeiro requires someone who is passionate about the cause and willing to pursue a vision. Community in Action needs someone with this passion and drive. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in International Development, Non-Profit Management, or Sustainable Enterprise.

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