Job Opening

Job Opening with SosteNica: Sustainable Development Coordinator

SosteNica is currently searching for a Sustainable Development Coordinator to represent our vision of sustainability, environmental stewardship, and social justice in Nicaragua.  The position is based in the pacific region of Nicaragua, applications are being accepted through January 15th, 2012.  Download the Sustainable Development Coordinator Job Description or copy it from below and spread the word!

Job Title: Sustainable Development Coordinator

Reports to: President of SosteNica in PA and Board of Directors in CT

Based at: Vicinity of León or Managua, Nicaragua

Job Purpose Summary: Represent SosteNica in Nicaragua and bring the institution’s vision of sustainable development regularly to meetings, projects, and activities with our partner organization CEPRODEL (Centro para la Promoción de Desarrollo Local y Superación de la Pobreza) and report regularly back to SosteNica about the progress of our programs in Nicaragua.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Represent SosteNica’s vision of sustainable agricultural, environmental, social, and financial development in Nicaragua.
  2. Oversee and participate in the implementation of SosteNica’s Rural Sustainable Development grants, which are currently focused on Reforestation, Farm Diversification and Urban Gardening.
  3. Facilitate new investment in an Ecologically Sustainable Housing Cooperative.
  4. Ensure program quality, accountability, and transparency in all of SosteNica’s grantmaking and investing.
  5. Encourage the adoption of sustainable concepts into CEPRODEL’s wider policy decisions, providing supportive resources wherever possible.
  6. Communicate regularly with SosteNica staff and as requested with the board of directors about details of collaborative projects with SosteNica’s Nicaraguan partner organization CEPRODEL and about pertinent developments in Nicaraguan micro-credit, sustainable development, and political sectors.
  7. Contribute written and visual material for the SosteNica website, newsletters, and fundraising events held in the US.
  8. Network with other organizations in Nicaragua that are working with eco-technologies and sustainable development (urban and rural).
  9. Network with organizations in the US who may be able to provide additional investments, grant money and/or resources to facilitate the implementation of eco-technologies and sustainable development.
  10. Maintain Facebook, LinkedIn and other social networking streams active and updated.
  11. Bring creative energy, enthusiasm, and your individual strengths to SosteNica’s programming.

Institutional Scope: SosteNica is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and socially responsible development and microfinance institution based in the US.  Its current investment portfolio, valued at just over $2,000,000, is provided by individual and organizational investors and is held exclusively in Nicaragua.  Annual grants made available for sustainable development initiatives in Nicaragua vary in amount.  More information about SosteNica can be found at www.sostenica.org

Time Frame: 1 year renewable contract, February 2012 – February 2013.

Personality: The person who would thrive in this position is self-driven with a positive outlook on life and work, and a strong personal commitment to environmental sustainability and social justice.  A clear focus on sustainable agriculture and eco-technologies and an ability to be flexible and work with spontaneity are important.  As the only representative of SosteNica in Nicaragua, s/he should be an independent planner who critically assesses their own performance and is mature, credible, and comfortable in dealing with intercultural settings.  S/he should be an empathic communicator, who is able to see things from the other person’s point of view and is keen for new experience.  S/he should be ready to take on responsibility and seize an opportunity to make an impact, and be someone who works well with others and is a team player.

Specific Job Skills: The person who fills this position must be able to communicate fluently in Spanish and English, both verbally and in writing.  S/he should understand the basic principles of agroecology, sustainable development, and micro-credit and how to achieve transparency, consistency, and accountability in those fields.  Her/his should demonstrate skills in collaboration, conflict resolution, and cultural interpretation and have the ability to navigate Latin American culture and gender norms.  Basic electronic literacy and access to computers and photography equipment is necessary.  Good time management is essential.  Previous experience in Nicaragua, organic farm management, green architecture, program development, fundraising, grant-writing, or non-profit work would be useful.

Computer skills: Must be adept in use of MS Office 2000 or later, particularly Excel and Word ( or Mac equivalent), Internet, email and Skype; access to a camera and basic editing for digital photography.  Basic HTML or graphic designing is not required but is a plus.

Education/Literacy: Open to any person with an Undergraduate Degree or Masters in relevant area.  Must be a good communicator with excellent writing skills.

Salary: Starting at $600/month — negotiable based on experience, benefits include one round trip ticket to the US/year and informal health care support.

Please send a cover letter and resume by January 15, 2012 to info@sostenica.org.

For more information about SosteNica’s work please visit our website at www.sostenica.org.