PMER and PSEA Facilitator – Bolivia

Job Synopsis

This position is responsible for managing the reporting process for all partners and MCC Bolivia programing. This requires gathering, reviewing, and translating of all MCC partner reports, and entering all necessary information into MCC’s PMER database platform. This process involves consistent and effective communication with partner organizations, providing necessary accompaniment through the reporting process and requirements for MCC. The facilitator will be expected to learn about and be familiar with MCC formats and reporting procedures to provide effective partner accompaniment. The facilitator will also work with the Reps in drafting new proposals with partners and arranging evaluations as they are needed. This position is a unique opportunity to be part of MCC’s ministry in fostering relationship building of mutual respect and learning between MCC and its partners.

The other half of this position is being a Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) “focal point” for MCC Bolivia. This involves is working with MCC partner organizations in developing and keeping up good PSEA practices and policies at their projects and with the communities they accompany. This can involve training and awareness raising activities with partners and the MCC Bolivia team. Along with the Reps, this person can be considered a first point of contact on the MCC Bolivia team for reporting abuse either form a partner or on the MCC team.

Location Description

Santa Cruz is located in the tropical lowlands of Bolivia. Most of the year is very hot and humid, but south winds and rains during the winter months can bring temperatures down into the 50’s F or 10-15C. Although Santa Cruz has a 400-year history, it has developed as a growing metropolis only in the past 30 years. As a dynamic economic and cultural center of almost 1.5 million, Santa Cruz is the 14th fastest growing city in the world. The city has the feel of “industry and growth” but also is characterized by its rural, small-town look.

The city of Santa Cruz is the administrative capital of the department of Santa Cruz (similar to a state or province). It is the center for the oil and gas industry as well as the agriculture enterprise of the eastern half of the country. It has an international airport and has bus and railroad links to other parts of Bolivia and South America. Travel within the city of Santa Cruz is predominately by public micros (small buses). Taxis are also available at affordable rates. MCC owns a few vehicles that can be reserved for program and personal use.

The city and surrounding area offer plenty to do and see including: a zoo, parks, outdoor markets, museums, performing arts centers, movie theaters, soccer action, Inca ruins, swimming pools, rivers, waterfalls, and plenty of ice cream! The more traditional foods in the Santa Cruz region include a variety of soups, and meat with rice and potatoes. Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables are available. Numerous public and private schools using a variety of teaching methods and languages are available. Many good hospitals and clinics are located within the city area.

The MCC office is located near the center of Santa Cruz and includes a head office, living and guest rooms, library, outdoor basketball, volleyball, and garage facilities.

Challenges:
• Heavy use of peanut products in daily food preparation
• Popular cuisine not very accommodating for vegetarians and less so for vegan diets
• Diverse group of stakeholders
• Use of public transit required with caution considering pandemic conditions
• Local church and area not supportive to LGTBQ+ persons
• High level of desk work at the MCC Bolivia office (MCC Bolivia expectation is that all national staff and MCCers in Santa Cruz work at the office unless they are on a partner visit, or there is a strike or blockade that keeps people from coming to work).
• Frequent strikes and city-wide blockades that can affect daily transportation and partner visits.

Qualifications

All MCC workers are expected to exhibit a commitment to: a personal Christian faith and discipleship; active participation in a Christian church or Christian community; and nonviolent peacemaking. MCC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to employment equity. MCC values diversity and invites all qualified candidates to apply.

• Ability to understand, speak, read and write Spanish and English
• Cross-cultural/international experience preferable
• Computer literacy is necessary, ability to learn to use database applications, experience with Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel and PDF files
• Preferably with previous experience in community development practices, including experience in program planning and monitoring
• Strong communication skills in a cross-cultural office and partner organization environment and patience to overcome difficulties
• Interest in transformative community accompaniment
• Ability to work in collaboration with an MCC team and local partners, each with its own interests and needs
• Have a certain level of sensitivity and conviction in working against sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically
• Maturity in relational skills including strong listening skills and empathy Strong organizational skills and clear attention to detail
• Demonstrated collaboration and flexibility skills
• Willing to engage with a local faith community even though it may be culturally different from one’s own.
• A college/university degree in social sciences, or related fields Preferably with strong writing skills and/or photography skills.

​Invitations to serve with MCC are contingent on the successful outcome of criminal background check(s).

Key Responsibilities

The PMER Facilitator will work very closely with the MCC Representatives in the following areas:

1. PMER
   • Managing all aspects of MCC bi-annual project reporting from initial correspondence with partners, reviewing reports, communication with partners to clarify reporting, finalizing reporting drafts, translation of reporting, and database entry into MCC´s reporting platform.
   • Gathering necessary information for all photos that accompany reports and upload them to MCC´s photo database, Mediaspace.
   • Coordinating with MCC Bolivia´s accountant for revisions of partner financial reports
   • Gathering information for Bolivian government reporting, a process directed by MCC Bolivia Reps.
   • Support communications by providing stories and photos from reports
   • Support MCC Bolivia Rep and partner in the process of new project development
   • When called for supporting a process of evaluation of partners and/or projects
   • Partner visits at least once a year to all MCC partners (this can also be coordinated with other MCC Bolivia trips to partners).
2. Protection against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) focal point
   • Support partners in periodic PSEA evaluations of their projects.
   • Accompany partners in developing and/or updating PSEA policies.
   • Stay updated on continued research and best-practices being used globally to keep MCC Bolivia and their partners informed, enriching trainings that MCC offers.
   • Stay connected with other PSEA MCC workers that are providing support to country programs.
   • Stay connected with local organizations and resources that are working in the same area for potential support and coordination.
   • Offer trainings and/or awareness raising activities for MCC Bolivia team.
   • Be a contact option for people wishing to report an incident of sexual exploitation and abuse
3. Other Team Support Responsibilities: As time permits, Reps might ask you to support other activities during the year.
   • Orientation of new long-term service workers – This could include any number of collaborative tasks from planning, organizing and executing the in-country orientations; logistical support; organizing language study; communicating with MCC partners for their participation; lead sessions during the orientation; and /or translate for the group.
   • Learning Tours, Exchanges and Partner Encounters – This could include any number of collaborative tasks from planning, organizing and executing such exchanges; logistical support; communicating with MCC partners for their participation; lead sessions during the orientation; and /or translate for the group.
   • Team Meetings and Retreats – Each year the MCC Bolivia Team as 2 team meetings and 1 retreat that are 3 – 4 days. Responsibilities could include any number of collaborative tasks from planning, organizing and executing such meetings/retreats; logistical support, communication, leading sessions; and/or translation.

All positions require flexibility and dedication to supporting the team and taking on other duties as requested.

This position requires some travel to visit partners in other regions of the country. When not on partner visits all national staff and international service workers not seconded to partners are expected to work at the office during the office hours of 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, with an hour lunch break at noon. Compensation time is given for times when one works on the weekend, in the evenings, or has taken a trip. The work rhythms vary throughout the year, with some months being much more intense than others. Beyond carrying out the specific tasks mentioned above, it is important to be attentive to special partner events that allow for relationship-building with partners and deepening understanding of their work. The PMER Facilitator works within the broader MCC Bolivia/Southern Cone team which currently has around 30 members. The MCC team meets three times a year for team retreats and maintains other forms of support throughout the year.

All MCC workers are expected to attend MCC meetings and events as appropriate, and be willing to contribute to team life, including devotional times. Workers are also expected to attend a local Anabaptist church.