Economic Development and Microfinance Advisor

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SKIP is currently seeking volunteers to join their Economic Development Department (EcoDev). Our mission in EcoDev is to help the families of SKIP achieve a higher level of wellbeing through independent business initiatives. We help SKIP families create sustainable sources of income and we provide them with opportunities to develop their artisan and business skills to pursue their goals.

Our current project portfolio includes a micro-credit program that supplies small loans and business consulting to current or potential business owners, artisan workshops (including jewelry making, sewing, and weaving), business education workshops, one-on-one consulting, family savings programs, and health-related loan programs. We believe that with hard work and a hand up these families can help themselves out of poverty.

The Position

We are seeking an Economic Development Volunteer who would be available for a minimum of 1 month (with a preference given to candidates who could commit for a longer time) and preferably but not essentially, has an intermediate or higher level of Spanish. The Economic Development Volunteer will work under the Coordinator of Economic Development. Involvement in the microcredit program includes participating in office hours and being available for house visits in the community of El Porvenir. Volunteers should not expect to only be involved in the microcredit program and should expect to work 35 to 40 hours a week. Additionally, volunteers are expected to assist in the children's program at SKIP once a week by volunteering a morning/afternoon to work at the school as we feel this helps give additional perspective on the community.



Responsibilities

* Independently research, organize and manage an EcoDev project/workshop that will improve the living conditions of families in El Porvenir. In some cases, the project will need to be continued from a past volunteer rather than independently researched and organized;

* Participate in the microcredit program through office hours and house visits in the community of El Porvenir;

* Manage a development portfolio of families/borrowers and be open to understanding their situation and providing solutions;

* Participate in, at minimum, one session a week with the children's program;

* Report to the EcoDev coordinator on a regular and consistent basis;

* Actively participate in weekly meetings.