Start Date: Summer 2011
Length of Position: Minimum 1 year
About Liberia Mission, Inc.
Liberia Mission, Inc. (LMI) is dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty for children and families through material and spiritual support and a Catholic education. LMI alleviates poverty and promotes societal transformation by providing quality education, a loving home, and life skills training for children and youth so that they may become capable, responsible, and compassionate citizens and future leaders of Liberia. The St. Anthony of Padua School provides a Catholic education for over 340 students in kindergarten through grade 9. The residential program provides a nurturing home for 110 students, ages 7 through 22, who would otherwise have difficulty accessing educational opportunities. The St. Michael the Archangel church is a gathering place of worship and spiritual formation for the children, youth, and staff of Liberia Mission, Inc. and the surrounding community. LMI is rooted in a Franciscan understanding of Catholic spirituality and is supported by Mission Honduras International (MHI), a U.S.-based non-for-profit organization.
The Role
The Communications and Volunteer Coordinator supports MHI’s goals to promote relationships with donors and volunteers who desire to partner with LMI and its efforts to help children to become compassionate citizens and leaders of a peaceful and productive Liberia of tomorrow.
The responsibilities of this position include the following:
Communications
• Work with MHI Executive Director on developing strategies for communicating about Liberia Mission with current and potential donors, including web, print, social media, etc.
• Coordinate closely with the LMI Site Director to ensure that communications processes and content are aligned with the mission, vision, values, policies, and programmatic goals of LMI
• Coordinate all Liberia-based aspects of donor communications, including articles by students, staff and volunteers, social media, etc.
• Identify and implement new ways for LMI students to participate in communications with donors, e.g. through a blog, student newspaper, etc.
• Coordinate all Liberia-based aspects of the Sponsorship Program, including letter-writing and annual student updates, and identify ways to enhance and/or expand the program
Volunteer support
• Collaborate with the MHI Executive Director, LMI Executive Director, and Site Director on developing a volunteer program that is feasible and congruent with the mission, vision, values, policies, and programmatic goals of LMI
• Work with MHI volunteer coordinator to evaluate individual and group volunteer applications
• Work in concert with the LMI Site Director and other relevant staff to identify appropriate volunteer projects/placements that are aligned with LMI program goals and needs
• Serve as the on-site volunteer coordinator for all individual and group short-term and mid-term volunteers, assisting with pre-trip preparations, on-site orientation, on-site hospitality, coordination and mentorship, and post-trip evaluation
Who You Are
As MHI/LMI’s Communications and Volunteer Coordinator, you desire to serve as a bridge between the people of Liberia Mission and the people of the U.S. You value the transformative power of relationships and of storytelling and wish to share and integrate your professional skills in a way that effectively brings together LMI beneficiaries and donors/volunteers. Your motivation to work with the beneficiaries and staff of LMI, as well as volunteers, stems from a God-centered call to serve and work alongside people of various cultures in a developing country. You believe that love, compassion, collaboration, effective communication, and community-building are central to the process of working towards LMI’s goals of developing Liberia through the education of its youth. You recognize that development work is full of rewarding experiences as well as challenges that require patience, the ability to listen, critical thinking, humility, and creativity in order to grow and move forward. Your resilience, adaptability, and desire to learn enhance your role as Communications/Volunteer Coordinator.
Your Qualifications
• A minimum education of undergraduate degree in Communications, Writing, Marketing, Social Work, Pastoral Ministry or a related field;
• Experience developing and writing for a variety of communication mediums;
• Experience leading groups of people and in planning/facilitating group projects; experience leading mission trips and/or other similar emersion experiences for small groups;
• International experience/experience working and living in the developing world;
• Ability to work independently yet collaboratively with minimal supervision and with a proactive attitude;
• Fluent in English and able to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing;
• Practicing Catholic and/or desire to work and live at a Catholic mission;
• Ability to live and work with simple living and office accommodations.
Compensation
This missioner position provides a modest monthly stipend, international health insurance, a multiple-entry visa for Liberia, and room and board on site at Liberia Mission, Inc.
How to Apply
If you feel the call to serve at Liberia Mission, Inc. and believe that you have the required skills and competencies for the position, send your resume, cover letter and a list of at least three references to Monica Desmond at mdesmond@missionhonduras.com no later than April 30, 2011. Please, no phone calls. If you have questions regarding the position, please email Monica Desmond at the above address.
For more information about Mission Honduras International / Liberia Mission, Inc please visit: www.missionhonduras.com. Mission Honduras International / Liberia Mission, Inc is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
