Ambassador

  Jamaica

Rural Areas

Term: Throughout the year 
Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Dates: On-going

Description: General Overview:
The Ambassador is a member of Team Jamaica. The Team (of 4 Ambassadors) is responsible for the day to day activities of the Blue Mountain Project in the district of Hagley Gap, St Thomas, Jamaica. Duties include, but are not limited to, the coordination and management of the volunteer, health, education and environmental programming in Jamaica. On occasion, the Team will also be responsible for assisting with special event and fund raising coordination.

Responsibilities & Functions:
- Orientate, train and supervise short term volunteers.
- Work through issues with foreign volunteers such as culture shock, homesickness and other sensitive issues.
- Recruit Jamaican volunteers to work beside the foreign volunteers.
- Recruit Jamaican Host Families to house volunteers.
- Nurture relationships with colleges, universities, churches and other institutions to further promote the mission of the BMP.
- Speak to the general public to promote the BMP mission.
- Attend various community meetings to represent the BMP in Jamaica.
- Coordinate special events and fundraisers.
- Coordinate children programming such as a day camps, after-school tutoring, sports and recreation.
- Assist with the functions of the Hagley Gap Health Clinic including patient registration, health promotions and medical volunteer placement and supervision.
- Perform general office tasks, including computing, making copies and filing.
- Write articles for the quarterly newsletter.
- Submit monthly reports to the Program Manager.
- Mentor Jamaican staff.
- Attend weekly staff meetings.
- Travel to Kingston each week to check e-mail and perform internet research.
- Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Highlights: Ambassadors live in the staff house, which is located in the village of Hagley Gap, St. Thomas, Jamaica. There is no running water in the house or even in the village. The entire community gets its water from the Negro River which is approximately ¼ of a mile from the house. Ambassadors must fetch their own water. Water conservation is a must. Washing, including bathing and laundry is typically done at the river, however can be done at the house using buckets.

The house itself is a 2 bedroom concrete home, sleeping 2 people per room or a total of 4 Ambassadors at one time. The house is furnished modestly, including a single bed for each Ambassador. Linens (bed sheets, towels, etc) are the responsibility of each Ambassador and netting is suggested to deter insects while sleeping.

Ambassadors receive a minimal food allowance of J$7,000 per month to buy food items. Ambassadors who prefer specific food items, should be aware that selections and availability are extremely limited and their costs can be prohibitive. The BMP suggests Ambassadors bring such food items with them or be prepared to pay out of pocket for them.

** The BMP operates a free Health Clinic which Ambassadors are welcome to access at anytime. The clinic is regularly staffed by a Jamaican nurse and supplemented every quarter by volunteer medical professionals from the United States.

*** Applicants must be willing and able to make a 12 month commitment. However the Ambassador will be on probation for the first three months of service, thereafter he/she will be evaluated, to determine his/her ability to continue for the remaining months of service.

Qualifications: Minimum Qualifications:
- 12 month commitment.
- Bachelors Degree or equivalent.
- Experience in a developing (3rd world) country.
- Ability to work as a team player.
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to work independently if necessary.
- Ability to be extremely tolerant and flexible.
- Ability to live and work in developing (3rd world) conditions.
- Computer literate

Minimum Education: Bachelors

Salary / Pay: Ambassadors recieve modest room and board.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Ambassadors are adult volunteers that spend one year of their time living and working in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. Most Ambassadors are single and in their 20's, however we have had a few couples. The Ambassador Program is an excellent opportunity for recent college graduates to experience a "gap year" prior to beginning their careers.

Age Range: 21 and older

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Jamaica Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 10

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Job and Internship Network

Blue Mountain Project's Mission Statement: In an effort to promote sustainable community development, the Blue Mountain Project is committed to enriching the lives of rural Jamaicans by providing assistance with basic healthcare, educational resources and training opportunities.

Year Founded: 2004