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CoordinatorRec Centre (REC)Internship available

Recreational and Educational Centre Coordinator

Lead day-to-day life at the REC, supporting our four HELP coordinators and reaching out to new families.

Hours a week
20–25
Minimum stay
3 months
Age
21+

About the role

Working with our Programme Manager, you'll look after everything at our Recreational and Educational Centre (REC) in Cerrito de la Virgen. You'll coordinate the HELP programmes run there and support the four HELP Project Coordinators (English, Environment, Youth and Literacy) with planning and updating their curriculums.

You'll also talk with local parents, make sure our safeguarding policy is followed, flag maintenance issues and track how each project is progressing. To widen our reach, you'll join outreach visits to nearby communities to understand their needs and share what we offer.

If a HELP coordinator post is empty, you may step into that role until we find a new volunteer. It's a great way to gain real project-management experience in a grassroots NGO, and best suited to people who already have some leadership or management experience.

What you'll do
  • Help the HELP Project Coordinators create lesson plans and keep our curriculums and resource packs up to date
  • Keep coordinator resources organised: materials, books, curriculums and activities
  • Supervise and coordinate the REC volunteer team and run weekly team meetings with the Programme Manager
  • Share successes and any issues at the weekly meetings
  • Schedule activities, workshops and classes on physical and mental wellbeing, learning and development
  • Raise safeguarding concerns with the Safeguarding Lead and complete reports when needed
  • Help manage the project budget and spending, and support local fundraisers
  • Keep the centre clean, tidy and working, flagging repairs to the management team
  • Carry out outreach in Las Brisas, Las Pampas and El Tablazo to reach more families
  • Contribute new ideas to improve the programme and the space
What we provide
  • Personal pick-up when you arrive, plus a walking tour of Huanchaco
  • A thorough introduction to OCN and how we work
  • Certified training in first aid and child safeguarding
  • 24/7 emergency support
  • Organised activities: barbecues, games nights, the weekly volunteer lunch and more
  • A certificate of completion detailing your role, projects and dates
Skills & experience
  • Leadership skills and self-discipline
  • Experience managing children or young people
  • Experience teaching, working with or caring for children (preferred)
  • A bachelor's or master's degree (completed or in progress) in a relevant subject such as education, international development, social work, sociology, international relations or anthropology (desirable)
  • Good organisation and planning skills
  • Strong teamwork
Requirements
  • Age 21+ on arrival
  • Spanish: advanced
  • English: advanced
  • Time commitment: 3 months (ideally 6)
  • A current background check from your home country
  • Longer stays are preferred, so you can really get to know the community and grow into your role.
  • Students can take this role as an internship, with extra mentoring and all the communication your university needs for a placement year or credit.

Safeguarding comes first

Our projects work with children and other vulnerable people, so every volunteer provides a current background check from their home country and completes our first aid and child safeguarding training.

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