Volunteer in Costa Rica: English Program Facilitator ($1000 USD monthly stipend included)

Abriendo Mentes is an education and community development nonprofit organization operating in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, since 2009. Visit www.abriendomentes.org to learn more.

Position Length: One-year commitment, 16 - 30 hours a week.

Position Description:

In-School English Program Facilitator: This position is responsible for planning and implementing activities for Abriendo Mentes’ public in-school English program (called E-KIDS) in Potrero, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The main responsibility of this position is planning and facilitating daily pre-K through 6th grade English activities for local children. The program has 4 foundational components: social inclusion, non-formal education (NFE), life-skills development and play-based learning. The after school program uses exploration, creativity, self-expression and play as powerful learning tools.

The ideal candidate for this position is someone who has experience and love for working with children, experience implementing activities in a formal public school education setting, is positive and upbeat, and is sensitive, caring and compassionate towards those in vulnerable situations. Must be a native English speaker.

Position Responsibilities

• Plan and implement English activities for daily in-school E-KIDS program in alignment with the foundational components of the program.
• Facilitate a weekly English tutoring club outside of school hours to offer additional support for student.
• Track children’s attendance and progress
• Lead monitoring and evaluation processes
• Develop reports including weekly tracking and monthly/semester narrative reports.
• Communicate with public school teacher and school Director as needed.
• Meet weekly or biweekly with Abriendo Mentes' Executive Director for planning and project updates.
• Support with Abriendo Mentes technology program and lab as needed.
• Possibility to work with the Abriendo Mentes Executive Director and Community Coordinator to create and implement other children’s activities, including sports, field trips, environmental projects, health projects, and more.
• Maintain clean and well-organized activity spaces and office spaces.
• Maintain strong communication with supervisors, volunteers and community members.

Requirements

• Strong sense of responsibility, cultural awareness, and sensitivity and compassion to those living in vulnerable situations.
• Native English speaker (required) and intermediate to advanced Spanish skills preferred.
• Experience working with children in a public education setting.
• Experience planning lessons, ideally for Pre-K through sixth grade.
• Experience developing narrative reports in line with a regular reporting schedule.
• Strong ability to manage large groups of children.
• Ability to create relevant English activities for children.
• Experience living or working abroad preferred (if applying from outside Costa Rica), preferably in Latin America.
• Commitment to position for at least 6 months, preference will be given to those who can commit to a year.

The successful candidate will be:

• Creative and resourceful – able to work in a rural environment with limited resources.
• Adaptable and flexible – demonstrate the ability to respond to frequently changing needs of the participants, organization and community
• Approachable and personable – able to build effective relationships with the Abriendo Mentes team and local people in order to integrate into our small rural community.
• Organized and reliable – manage your time effectively, efficiently use Abriendo Mentes resources, participate in Abriendo Mentes meetings and events, and deliver on your responsibilities as discussed with the Director.

Compensation:

• This is a volunteer position; a $1,000 USD monthly living stipend is included.

To apply:

• Please send cover letter and CV to info@abriendomentes.org, and include your available start date. Interviews will begin the week of December 2nd for an ideal start date sometime in early January.