Program Manager - Costa Rica (Volunteer Operations - Base Manager)

Length of Contract: Minimum 1 Year

Type of Role: Volunteer Operations - Base Manager 

About the Role:

GVI’s wildlife conservation research base in Jalova is found in the stunning Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica. The Program Manager’s role on this hub is to deliver world-leading volunteer and internship programs and manage the GVI hub, by focusing on growth, learning and impact. This person is responsible for ensuring effective day to day running of the program operations, building and maintaining partnerships with the community, effectively managing staff and participants, and achieving the financial and quality goals of the organization.

The ideal candidate for this position will speak fluent Spanish, be hugely passionate about conservation, and thrive off living in basic, remote conditions such as the Jalova rainforest. They will have strong staff and volunteer management experience, be experienced in health and safety, and feel comfortable with being the most senior person responsible for the day to day running of this base. 

Responsibilities:

• Oversee Health and Safety protocols to ensure the safety of all participants, staff and other visitors to the hub.
• Work with the line manager to roll out and regularly improve a set of operating practices and experience standards (“OPES”) covering all key aspects of the hub’s programs.
• Provide recommendations to line manager to develop and implement new programs and initiatives, then work with central support marketing team to create and deliver programs.
• Design local development theory in line with GVI central theory, and implement project monitoring through monthly impact reporting across staff, community and students and periodic evaluation of impact
• Ensure the successful implementation and delivery of all GVI marketing and internal communication initiatives.
• Be the escalation point for any issues which arise at the hub, including participant complaints, medical issues, natural disasters etc.
• In conjunction with central support and manager, assist with recruiting and on-boarding of new staff members.
• Responsible for financial and overall reporting of the hub.
• Connect and liaise with in-country partners to build and maintain relationship

Qualifications:

• Fluent Spanish 
• Education background in science/wildlife conservation
• Health and safety trained

Experience:

The following experience is required for this role:

• 2-5 years experience successfully managing staff 
• 2-5 years volunteer management experience
• Wildlife conservation experience

The following experience would be beneficial for this role:

• Safety management experience 
• Experience living in remote conditions