Become a Program Coordinator
EMBARK ON A SERVICE-BASED ADVENTURE THAT WILL build YOUR STRENGTHS AND PASSIONS, TEST YOUR DETERMINATION AND REWARD YOU WITH A VARIETY OF NEW PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS!
Start your international service adventure here.
For 3 to 9 months, you will experience life and work alongside other young leaders and community members. For shorter options, please check out our internship and group trip options.
You will be based at our site in Shandia, Ecuador, an indigenous Kichwa village outside of Tena in the Amazon rainforest where over 70% of residents are underserved. Shandia was starting in 2023 and already has programming in key areas like health, sustainability, economic development, and education.
As a Program Coordinator, you will work with other on-site staff and volunteers to help direct a variety of impactful programs designed to meet the specific needs and opportunities of the community. Program Coordinators will also have the flexibility to create new programs where the community’s vision intersect with your own education, passions and interests.
This unique model creates the most impactful experience for you and the communities you’ll be serving, and is designed to fulfill our mission: To foster communities of talented young leaders to become the next generation of social change agents by engaging in collaborative, on-the-ground service with international communities.
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Who Can Join Us?
You!
Our Program Coordinator position is perfect for people who have a wide variety of interests and life experiences. Common life stages for the Program Coordinator position are gap year students looking to try out a few different career paths in social impact whilst also learning some Spanish and living in the Amazon Rainforest, college interns and co-ops who might be looking to dive deeply into a career path in public health or international development, career sabbaticals wanting to use their skills to support community-driven change, retirees who want to stay engaged in their career fields or learn some new skills, or anyone who has a passion to learn, grow, and collaborate.
But what makes me a good fit for Manna?
Are you excited and committed? Passionate about creating a difference in the world? Feel the push to learn from hands-on, collaborative projects? The Mannamily is a diverse group made up of engineers, teachers, healthcare professionals, international development experts, community engagement leaders, travelers, lifelong students, and friends. What are some skills or life experiences that might make you great for the role? Consider:
Do you like people?
Have you enjoyed working on a team previously?
Do you care about social justice?
Do you consider yourself flexible?
Do you want to grow and learn new things?
Do you like to learn languages especially Spanish and Kichwa?
Are you committed to being open to new experiences?
Does living in the Amazon Rainforest excite you?
Are you committed to professional and personal development?
If you answered yes to these questions, this could be a great opportunity for you! Apply now to be part of a small team of social change agents!
Current program Coordinator Openings:
Manna project international offers monthly start dates for program coordinators*
We generally recommend applying 2-3 months before your start date.
*Due to winter holidays in Ecuador, there are no intake dates in November or December*
Fundraising Commitment:
Program Coordinators will either raise funds or pay to cover their living costs while volunteering on site. For volunteers interested in fundraising, MPI offers resources and support. The monthly fundraising amount varies depending the total time commitment (3 - 9 months) and financial situation of the individual Program Coordinator.
In recognition of the historic inaccessibility of experiential education and international experiences and the importance of such experiences, MPI vows to foster an inclusive community where everyone can participate regardless of their financial situation. That’s why we offer a tiered contribution system designed to honor each individual’s unique circumstances. This model endeavors to give equitable access to our programs, and we invite all participants to choose the tier that best reflects their current financial reality. By embracing transparency and flexibility, we empower each individual to contribute in a way that feels right for them, creating a community of care, compassion, and shared responsibility.
For those who require further financial assistance, we encourage you to look into our Amaguaña Scholarship fund to see if you are eligible or email us to set up a time to discuss specific strategies to allow for your ability to participate in our programming.
Suggested Fundraising Amounts
Stays of 6-9 months
Stays of 3-5 Months
Tier 1
$1,100 per month
$1,500 per month
This tier is encouraged for those with financial stability, who can comfortably contribute at full cost. This might be someone who has financial support from their family, scholarships, or a high-paying job. They might not worry about tuition, rent, or paying for extracurricular activities or going out to dinner with friends.
Tier 2
$1,000 Per month
$1,400 per month
This tier is encouraged for those are able to cover most of their needs, but might have to budget for larger purchases or special “luxuries”. For example, people who might choose this tier might work a part-time job, have some scholarships to pay for their experience, or might have some support from their family. They can afford rent, groceries, and tuition, but might need to budget carefully for trips, extracurriculars, or going out with friends.
Tier 3
$900 per month
$1,300 Per Month
This tier is encouraged for those who may rely heavily on financial aid, scholarships, or who work multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. They might struggle to cover basic needs like rent, groceries, or textbooks without additional support. Those who might choose this tier might have to decide between social events and necessary items like textbooks or groceries.
Manna Project's Program Coordinator position is among the most affordable long-term volunteer options available.
What THe living package Covers:
Housing, utilities, & internet
Meals
Local travel to/from programs
Airport pick-up/drop-off
Covers visa costs for participants of 4+ months
Professional development trainings
Trimestral retreats
Operational costs
Please note that medical insurance is not included.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Manna Project equips volunteers with leadership development skills for a variety of career fields, including medicine, international development, law, the greater non-profit sector, education and international politics.
Top 10 Reasons to Become a Program Coordinator
Application Process:
Step 1
Submit the online application and email your resume and college transcript to apply@mannaproject.org.
Step 2
You will be contacted to set up a phone interview within 1 week of the application deadline.
Step 3
You will be notified of your acceptance status within 1 week of your phone interview.
Step 4
Once accepted, you will have 2 weeks to submit your contract and a $250 deposit to secure your position.