Ecuador Site Manager

Manna Project International, a US-based nonprofit operating in Ecuador, fosters communities of talented young leaders to become the next generation of social change agents by engaging in collaborative, on-the-ground service with international communities in need. At our Shandia, Ecuador site, groups of volunteers live and work together for 5 weeks to 13 months, implementing a range of health, education, and economic community development projects. For more background on MPI, please visit our website, www.mannaproject.org.

The Site Manager (SM) works with the Country Director to supervise and mentor the volunteer team to achieve Manna Project International’s mission, vision, and goals. The SM serves as the direct supervisor for Program Coordinators (3- to 9-month foreign volunteers) and interns (5-10 week volunteers), while the Country Director serves as the direct supervisor for Program Directors (year-long, stipended volunteers). Much of the volunteer training and mentorship is conducted jointly by the SM and the Country Director. Additionally, the SM oversees the on-site team’s coordination and support of short-term groups (1-week volunteers, typically for Spring Break).

The SM will spend their work time in Shandia/Tena, and live in Shandia or within 30 min. drive of Shandia. The SM’s daily responsibilities include any and all tasks necessary for maintaining and improving the operations of the organization in relation to volunteers and programming. This includes but is not limited to:

• Volunteer recruitment (25%)
  • Coordinating and leading volunteer interviews;
  • Coordinating all pre-arrival volunteer communications;
  • Representing MPI at virtual recruitment fairs as needed;
• Volunteer oversight and mentorship (40%)
  • Communicating regularly with on-site volunteers (Program Coordinators and interns) to ensure their well-being, safety, effectiveness in projects and overall volunteer experience;
  • Acting as a mentor to Program Coordinators and interns in their professional development, including supporting the Country Director in volunteer training and performance evaluations;
  • Helping the on site team navigate the transition between groups of yearlong volunteers, with an eye to efficient, effective, and sustainable progress in programming;
  • Assisting with planning and on-site management of short-term groups and skill-based volunteers;
• Community program oversight (10%)
  • Ensuring that Program Coordinators and interns conduct local programs in a goal-oriented, culturally sensitive way and that they are in line with the mission and vision of MPI’s holistic approach;
  • Ensuring weekly/monthly metrics and evaluations are collected and turned in properly;
• Administrative and organizational support (25%)
  • Providing administrative support as needed by the Country Director;
  • Serving as point person for gathering and posting social media content for the site;
  • Supporting in ensuring the organization meets all local NGO legal requirements;
  • Participating in organization-wide planning and development.

The Site Manager may delegate responsibilities and tasks to trusted volunteers in order to best realize these goals, as is appropriate and as they see fit.

Complete Description of Responsibilities

Coordinating and leading volunteer interviews and pre-arrival communications

Once a prospective volunteer has submitted their application materials to MPI’s Institutional Relations Manager, the Site Manager oversees the following interview and onboarding process. This includes scheduling and coordinating interviews (conducting the interview personally or delegating it to a qualified team member), addressing follow-up questions or concerns, providing timely acceptance or rejection notifications, and ensuring volunteers receive all necessary pre-departure information and guidance to prepare for their arrival in Shandia. Additionally, the Site Manager may be asked to represent MPI at certain virtual recruitment events and career fairs.

Communicating regularly with volunteers to ensure their well-being, safety, effectiveness in projects and overall volunteer experience.

The Site Manager plays a vital leadership and support role for volunteers, serving as both a team leader and a representative of the organization. This involves attending weekly meetings with volunteers, communicating their feedback to the staff, and conveying organizational policies and decisions to the volunteers. The Site Manager also provides fresh perspectives on issues and ideas, informed by MPI’s experience, partner organizations, and community development best practices. To ensure volunteers have a positive and rewarding experience, the Site Manager conducts one-on-one meetings to address their needs, well-being, and performance, offering support, guidance, and encouragement. Additionally, the Site Manager assists with 24/7 emergency support, being on-call during specific times to handle urgent situations, including accompanying volunteers or staff to hospitals, local authorities, or other support services as needed. They also aid in translating between Spanish and English for volunteers, community programs, and legal documents.

Acting as a mentor to volunteers in their personal and professional development, including training and performance evaluations.

Beyond just a supervisor, the Site Manager acts as a mentor to the site’s volunteers, both personally and professionally. Living in a different culture, as well as in a group setting, can often be a challenging experience, and the Site Manager assists as Program Coordinators and interns learn and grow individually and as a group through the process. The Site Manager works with the Country Director to organize leadership trainings in the areas of community development, nonprofit management, cultural studies, on-site programming, and personal & interpersonal development, during quarterly retreats and monthly meetings.

Navigating the transition between groups of volunteers, with an eye to efficient, effective, and sustainable progress in programming.

As one of two members of the MPI team whose presence in Ecuador spans MPI’s transitions from one group of volunteers to the next, the Site Manager, along with the Country Director, oversees the continuity of community programs throughout each year. The Site Manager helps to lead orientation activities for new volunteers and ensure the smooth handover of programs and responsibilities from one volunteer to another as volunteers come and go. The Site Manager is also tasked with compiling the visa applications of each Program Director and visa extensions for Program Coordinators (when applicable).

Overseeing the planning and on-site management of short-term groups, interns, and skill-based volunteers.

In addition to MPI’s long-term volunteer positions, MPI also hosts a number of short-term groups, summer interns, and skill-based volunteers throughout the year. The Site Manager is responsible for all preparation and on-site logistics, including coordinating housing for volunteers who stay outside the Manna house.

Ensuring that volunteers conduct local programs in a goal-oriented, culturally sensitive way and that those programs are in line with the mission and vision of MPI.

The Site Manager plays an active role in the implementation of community programs and projects. Along with the Country Director, they help to regularly visit each of the programs in operation, measuring their performance, impact and long-term development, and offering practical feedback to those leading the program. For volunteers, the Site Manager serves as a constant resource, continually discussing with them the goals of each program and what is being done to achieve those goals. The Site Manager works with the Country Director to be key reference points to community members, regularly meeting with key stakeholders from the community.

Ensuring weekly/monthly metrics and evaluations are collected and turned in properly

The Site Manager is tasked with reviewing weekly, monthly, and quarterly metrics submitted by the long term volunteers to ensure their timely submission and completeness.

Providing administrative assistance to the Ecuador Country Director

The Site Manager supports the Country Director by managing a variety of administrative and operational tasks critical to the success of MPI’s programs and operations. Responsibilities include coordinating the maintenance and cleaning of MPI housing and community center, paying MPI bills, serving as the anti-money laundering officer (if Ecuadorian citizen), and assisting in the planning and execution of internal and public events by arranging reservations and transportation. Additionally, the Site Manager procures supplies and materials for MPI housing and community programs and provides guidance and training to volunteers on transportation, partner organization visits, and cultural activities until they gain independence.

Serving as point person for gathering and posting social media content for the site

The Site Manager collaborates with the Institutional Relations Manager and on-site team to oversee and support the creation of engaging content for MPI’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, blogs, and more, in alignment with the social media calendar. Additionally, the Site Manager assists with the collection and organization of materials for monthly newsletters, MPI’s website, grant reports, fundraising campaigns, and recruitment efforts.

Participating in organization-wide planning and development

As a member of MPI’s staff, the Site Manager actively participates in MPI’s organization-wide vision and strategy planning, resource development, and operational assessment. This includes but is not limited to involvement in publicity, volunteer recruitment, curriculum development, metrics management, grant writing, and fundraising.

Additional Information:

Qualifications:

• Strong relationship-building skills;
• Fluency in English and advanced Spanish;
• Experience in community development and/or community organizing
• A passion for and experience in working with volunteers, college students or in leading Gen Z individuals;
• Experience in the classroom (preferred), enthusiasm in working with youth aged 6-17;
• A willingness to commit and contribute to MPI’s collaborative, community-based, holistic approach to community development;
• A minimum of one years' experience in Latin America (preferably Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru or Bolivia);
• A minimum two year commitment;
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree preferred

Salary: $800-$1,200 per month range based on experience and qualifications

Location: Work based in Shandia

Benefits:

• Four weeks paid vacation
• 11 paid holidays of Ecuador

Start Date: March/April 2025 or earliest available

How to apply:

Send a resume and cover letter (in English) describing your fit with MPI and this position to jobs@mannaproject.org.

Please Note: Only short-listed applicants will be notified.