Recreational and Educational Centre Coordinator at a Peruvian NGO

In this role, you will work under the supervision of the Program Manager to handle all things related to our Recreational and Educational Centre (REC) in Cerrito de la Virgen, a neighbouring settlement. You will be responsible for coordinating our Huanchaco Education and Learning Programmes (HELP) at the REC, and helping to manage the four HELP Project Coordinators (English, Environment, Youth, and Literacy). You will assist the HELP coordinators with planning and updating their respective curriculums, as well as communicating with local parents, ensuring the implementation of our safeguarding policy, flagging up any maintenance issues, and monitoring the progress of the HELP projects. 

To broaden our impact, you will also participate in outreach work to connect with more families in nearby communities, helping us to better understand the needs of the community and promote our services.

The role of REC Coordinator is a great opportunity for those who want to gain project management experience and get an insight into the workings of grassroots NGO projects, but is better suited to individuals who already have some form of leadership or management experience. 

For students, all volunteer positions are available as internships, which is ideal for students looking to complete a year in industry/placement abroad. In this case, you will receive an extra level of mentorship and all appropriate communication with your academic institution to ensure compliance with internship placement requirements. 

Responsibilities:

• Aid the HELP Project Coordinators to create individualized lesson plans from our pre-existing curriculum and resource packs. If no English/Environment/Youth/Literacy coordinator is available, you may be required to take on one of these roles until we find a replacement volunteer.
• Ensure that all Project Coordinator resources are updated and organized (including materials, books, curriculums and activities).
• Supervise and coordinate other Recreation and Education volunteers, including running weekly team meetings, in collaboration with the Program Manager.
• Present positive results and any potential issues at the weekly meetings.
• Schedule activities, workshops and classes focusing on physical and psychological health and well-being, as well as learning and development. 
• Flag up safeguarding concerns to the Safeguarding Lead on the Management Team, filling out reports as necessary.
• Assist in managing the project budget and expenditure.
• Assist with local fundraisers.
• Keep the facility clean, tidy and functional, supervising the team to carry out basic everyday tasks, such as tidying up, cleaning, flagging up basic repairs to the management team and ensuring proper care and maintenance of equipment.
• Conduct outreach work in Las Brisas, Las Pampas, el Tablazo to improve community engagement and expand our impact.
• Contribute new ideas on how to improve the program and the space.

Requirements:

• Age 18+ on arrival
• Current background check from your home country.
• Advanced/fluent Spanish
• Experience of teaching or working with children preferred.
• Currently studying/completed a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant subject desirable. 
• Organisation and planning skills.
• Good teamwork skills.
• Leadership skills and discipline.

Time Commitment:

Placements can last from 3-12 months, giving you the flexibility to choose between spending a full year/academic year with us, just one semester, or even a summer internship. This makes our opportunities ideal for students looking to gain professional experience during a year in industry or language-based placement abroad, or even for individuals looking for entry-level work after graduation. 

Long-term volunteers are preferred (ideally 6 months+), so you have a chance to really get to know the community and get comfortable in your role. 

Generally, 20-25 hours per week, Mon-Fri

What you can expect from us:

• Personal pick-up upon arriving and walking tour through Huanchaco
• Help with organising accommodation for your time in Huanchaco
• A thorough introduction to the organization 
• Certified training in First Aid and Child Safeguarding.
• 2 days holiday per month
• 24/7 emergency support 
• Organized activities (barbeques, game nights, volunteer lunch etc.)
• Certificate of completion detailing your role, the project(s) you participated in and the dates you volunteered in.

A typical day in the role:

The OCN Recreational and Educational Centre (REC) opens from Monday-Wednesday and on Fridays, from 3-5pm. Each day is designated to a different HELP project: English, Environment, Youth, and Literacy. You will attend all these classes, although they will be led by the respective Project Coordinators. Regular attendance will give you plenty of opportunities to interact with the children and create a bond of trust with them. 

Before each session, you will meet with the relevant project coordinator and supporting volunteers at the OCN volunteer house, where the coordinator will brief the group on the lesson plan for the day, delegate roles, and answer any questions. You will then get a mototaxi or cycle to the REC together and assist in running the class. At the REC, if there are any safeguarding or maintenance issues, it is your responsibility to report them to the management team. You must also ensure that project coordinators are taking the register and assisting with teaching/supervising the kids. 

Once a week, you will hold a meeting with the HELP Project Coordinators and the Program Manager, where you will discuss general issues for the REC, such as discipline and attendance, routines, safety, maintenance etc. You will also assist in the planning of the week's activities and discuss future events or bigger activities. Here, you have a chance to contribute your own experiences or help give us new ideas on how to make the program as innovative and interactive as possible. 

Every Monday morning, you will attend a general OCN meeting at the volunteer house to discuss any relevant updates and activities for the week, contribute ideas and feedback, and plan out the activity schedule for the week.

After work, there is plenty of time to catch one of Huanchaco’s world-famous sunsets from the tranquillity of the beach, or indeed from a surfboard. Then there are various options to fill your evening, socializing with local and other volunteers, sampling the famous Peruvian cuisine, attending talks and cultural events, music, dance, theatre, movies- the list is endless.