Description

Sister Communities of San Ramon, Nicaragua (SCSRN) is a 501c3 nonprofit that carries out development work in Education, Healthcare, Environmental and Cultural Preservation in the rural, mountainous county of San Ramon, located in the department of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. SCSRN is the owner and developer of Finca Esperanza Verde (FEV), a 265 acre organic coffee farm, Nature Preserve and Eco-lodge. FEV is run completely on hydro and solar powered electric systems and boast hiking trails, rare wildlife and an organic garden. It is socially responsible Eco-tourism project that came about to bring economic development and stimulation to the poor rural areas of San Ramon. Please review our websites for more info.

The Program Assistant and Eco-tourism Development Intern will serve as an Assistant to the FEV General Manager and the SCSRN Director in San Ramon. Intern will work primarily with the various week-long Ecotour groups that visit San Ramon and FEV. Intern will also be asked to complete tasks pertaining to the Education, Healthcare and Cultural Enrichment development projects carried out by SCSRN.

Responsibilities:
* Work with all eco-tour staff and groups to increase tourist's enjoyment and safety while in San Ramon
* Promote tourism in San Ramon
* Provide translation and interpretation as requested including to all eco-tour groups
* Accompany tourists on travels and in the get acquainted phase of their stays with host families in the town of San Ramon
* Carry out office work as directed by FEV manager including taking reservations, answering the telephone, responding to emails and related tasks
* Teach English to 2-3 staff members of Finca Esperanza Verde at agreed upon times. (Workbooks are provided by SCSRN.)
* Do such tasks and projects as requested by FEV manager, SCSRN directors (one in US, one in San Ramon) as well as by the director of the US office of FEV.

Other jobs:
* Meet with the youth-run Tourist Guide Club of San Ramon to promote good relations between this group and SCSRN
* Work with FEV manager and the kitchen staff at FEV when they need extra help
* Help develop the Club de Parjaritos
* Errands and development project tasks as directed by the SCSRN Directors
* Frequent communication with the US based Director of SCSRN

Minimum Requirements:
* Bachelor's Degree
* Written and Spoken Fluency in Spanish and English - must be Bilingual
* Experience guiding and/or working with large groups - preferably in an international setting
* International study, living or working experience in the developing world
* High level of professionalism
* Culturally sensitive, open and able to work with many types of people
* Must also be responsible, flexible, hardworking, and open-minded
* Ability to multi-task and take direction
* A large part of the internship is interpreting and translating from Spanish to English, so must be comfortable doing so

Internship begins in January 2012 and will go until May 15th, 2012, with the possibility for extension. Intern is expected to work a regular 40 hour work week (5 days per week), except when Eco-tour groups are in San Ramon. During these weeks, intern shall work 7-day weeks if required by FEV Manager and will take time off later to compensate for overtime.

This internship is unpaid, however SCSRN will provide Intern with living expenses and travel stipend. SCSRN will give USD 600 towards airfare and pay all room and board expenses during the internship period. This includes 3 meals per day, laundry, fully furnished room and kitchen access in a home with modern comforts. Intern will have access to the SCSRN and FEV offices, which includes high speed Internet service, land line phone use and office supplies. If Intern decides to purchase a cell phone (approx. USD 20), SCSRN will pay for work related cell phone use. SCSRN will also pay in-country work related travel. SCSRN will provide fees for visa renewal and extensions.

Email resume, two references, and a brief cover letter to Executive Director, Emmy Griffin.

Travel Types

• Eco Tours

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:
* Bachelor's Degree
* Written and Spoken Fluency in Spanish and English - must be Bilingual
* Experience guiding and/or working with large groups - preferably in an international setting
* International study, living or working experience in the developing world
* High level of professionalism
* Culturally sensitive, open and able to work with many types of people
* Must also be responsible, flexible, hardworking, and open-minded
* Ability to multi-task and take direction
* A large part of the internship is interpreting and translating from Spanish to English, so must be comfortable doing so

Intern Types

• Development
• Economics
• Spanish
• Sustainable Development
• Tourism

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Resume
• Written Application

Sister Communities of San Ramon, Nicaragua's Mission Statement

Through collaboration between San Ramón, Nicaragua and its partner communities in the United States, SCSRN promotes people-to-people connections and supports social and economic development projects that build friendship, understanding, justice and respect for the Earth.

Year Founded

1993