Fundación Enseñarte Bolivia (FE), a Bolivian NGO, seeks a National Director to lead expansion of our Social Circus, Arts, and Development programs to reach the growing numbers of impoverished and at risk youth in Bolivia. Position requirements include at least three to four years of management experience working with NGOs; ability to organize community-based projects; dedication to helping youth and their families create better futures through the arts; an educational background relevant to carrying out the duties of position; and fluency in speaking and writing Spanish and English.
Qualifications for the successful candidate include:
Commitment to street youth and Fundación Enseñarte’s mission.
Dedication to working collaboratively with diverse staff, international volunteers, and communities.
Skills in nonprofit organization, management, fundraising, and financial planning.
Facility with using computers, software, and technical systems.
Ability to communicate in Spanish and English, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to reach supporters, collaborators, and audiences in Bolivia and internationally.
Ability to make assessments and decisions; function calmly under pressure; and bring out the best qualities in youth, staff, and all those affiliated with the organization.
Details: This position reports to the Executive Director of Fundación Enseñarte’s Board of Directors in Bolivia. Salary is commensurate with similar positions in Bolivia. Paid vacations are from mid-December to mid-January. The successful applicant will be hired as soon as possible and will begin the position upon completion of a three-month paid training period. We require an initial two-year commitment.
For more information, please e-mail an inquiry with a current CV in Spanish to the Executive Director, John Connell at Info@performinglifebolivia.org. Current FE/PL projects are on our Facebook page. Additional projects are on Performing Life Bolivia youtube and soundcloud channels. Annual and Monthly Reports are available by request. We recommend that serious applicants learn as much as possible about the organization before sending in their CV.
Brief Background on Fundación Enseñarte Bolivia
Who we are. Fundación Enseñarte Bolivia (FE) empowers Bolivian street youth through social circus, arts, education, and microenterprise, teaching productive skills for avoiding drugs and delinquency while improving living situations and economic well-being. Founded by Performing Life, Inc., a US-based nonprofit, FE began in March 2006 with one Circus Arts class in a plaza. Today, FE youth programs include a range of Social Circus, performance, and other arts classes; a cafeteria serving healthy meals on class days; microenterprise development; tutoring and school support; dental health; and a range of creative enrichment opportunities for youth and communities. FE offices and studios are located in the city center of Cochabamba and our outreach centers are located in the outlying areas of Montenegro and Alto Buena Vista.
Who we work with. Fundación Enseñarte/Performing Life works with children and adolescents who come from some of the most impoverished and at risk areas of Bolivia. Most are supporting themselves or contributing to the support of their families.
Our Approach to Street Youth Development. In the midst of challenging conditions faced by working children and youth, FE/PL creates a safe, supportive environment and community for its participants. We help youth stay in school at their grade level and provide tutoring as needed. Participants develop outstanding skills in street performance such as juggling, acrobatics, clowning, music, and many other performance arts. Through these skills youth not only are able to support themselves and their fmailies working as performers but also learn important life skills. Through our programs we have seen many youth improve their self confidence, interaction with peers, teamwork, increased attention span, improve concentration and commitment to improving their lives, education and future.
What we do.
We provide basic necessities such as food, medical attention, education, housing, clothing, etc.
We teach free classes on performing arts, including juggling, diabolo, poi, and music, that youth can use to increase their income and thereby have more time for school and studying.
We help youth register for school or skills classes and provide tutoring.
We offer free Music workshops where youth can record songs about their lives in the Performing Life Recording Studio.
We help youth save money and develop personal goals for self-improvement.
We design projects with participants and families to invest in some type of small business that they can own and manage to increase their income.
We help participants construct a future of hope and health for themselves as well as their families.
Fundación Enseñarte Bolivia/Performing Life, Inc.
Bolivian National Director, Fundación Enseñarte (FE)
This is a full-time salaried position that reports directly to the Executive Director. Benefits include a total of four weeks paid vacation per year. The applicant’s rèsumé must include education and work experience relative to the skills required for this position.
General Duties.
Collaborate with the Executive Director, Staff, and key stakeholders to accomplish Foundation and project goals; maintain integrity and accountability; and ensure financial stability.
Develop new sources of support and funding.
Maintain communications and positive relationships between FE and its supporters.
Promote FE and its programs with the community, municipality, Department of Cochabamba, educational institutions, other ONGs, artists, businesses, and allies locally, nationally, and internationally.
Maintain positive interpersonal collaborations, a supportive work environment, and solutions-oriented approach to addressing challenges.
Prepare for and conduct weekly staff meetings. Summarize and disseminate decisions, actions, and expected outcomes. Discuss staff concerns with Executive Director.
Recruit and communicate with volunteers. Oversee their schedules and assignments.
In consultation with the Executive Director, hire and dismiss FE project staff, service providers, and volunteers.
Overseeing programs, reporting, and record keeping.
Work with each staff member to develop and implement an annual timeline with quarterly work plans, goals and objectives, and project activities.
Oversee maintenance and updating of information files on each youth.
Work with Project Directors to resolve any youth attendance and/or discipline issues.
Collect information from each Project Director to complete monthly and annual reports, other required reports, and project evaluations.
Oversee all FE staff and make sure that projects are organized and on target with work plans, activities, and outreach.
Communicate with volunteers before, during, and after their work with FE. Oversee their planning, work conditions, assignments, and evaluations. Make sure they have the information, tools, and supplies they need to work effectively.
Network and develop support with collaborating groups, volunteer prospects, donors, and other interested parties locally, nationally, and internationally.
Maintain regular FE correspondence, including e-mails and social media.
Maintain online calendar systems for work plans, timelines, calendars, and document sharing. Train and oversee staff and volunteers in using these systems effectively.
Oversee on-line inventory of FE equipment, supplies, and materials.
Oversee web site development, maintenance, and updates.
Oversee administrative and financial systems.
Maintain direct and regular communications with the Executive Director.
In collaboration with the Executive Director and FE Staff, develop written policies and procedures for organization and project management.
Create forms and procedures necessary to track and report project accomplishments.
Provide monthly financial and programmatic reports to the Executive Director. Compile the annual report. Send monthly and annual reports electronically to FE/PL network of donors and supporters.
Oversee grants development, funding applications, project implementation, and grant reporting.
Oversee Microenterprise Investments according to written guidelines and contracts with youth and families.
Supervise maintenance and preparation of all financial records to ensure accurate financial reports and financial accountability to donors and grantors, including:
monitor FE’s financial accounts in each of its financial institutions;
manage and reconcile the organization’s petty cash fund;
oversee accurate monthly bank reconciliations;
provide monthly financial reports that track projected versus actual expenses and income; and
provide complete financial information to the Auditor for review.
Maintain FE in a stable financial position. Alert the Executive Director to any challenges with fund availability and plans for addressing them.
Comply with all grant and government reporting requirements.
Oversee payment for salaries and stipends to FE staff according to the approved budget.
Oversee reimbursements to staff for approved expenditures.
Oversee all payments on a timely basis that are necessary to maintain FE’s infrastructure, such as telephone, internet, electric, etc.
Make sure that staff and volunteers have materials and funds to conduct projects and meet deadlines as per the timeline.