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Job Openings in Quito: Manager of the Quito Clubhouse

The office in Quito is looking for a dynamic individual to take over the Manager position. The position is a varied and exciting role and a person with energy and enthusiasm is needed to promote SAE. This position is suited to someone who enjoys meeting people and has a passion for South America.

Location: Jorge Washington 311 y Leonidas Plaza - Quito, Ecuador.
Duration: Full time, fixed contract.
Salary: $500 + lunches from Monday to Friday.

Job Description/Key responsibilities

  • Member services: Providing and maintaining services for members in the clubhouse, such as, the library, luggage storage, reference guide book collection, trip reports, post collection service, selling of maps & books.
  • Travel Advice: Giving travelers advice on their trip in the clubhouse and via email.
  • Advertising: Assisting the temto renew advertising contracts for the magazine, South American Explorer and the website, with local companies in Quito and other parts of Ecuador.
  • Management: To manage and supervise the clubhouse & volunteers when the manager is away.
  • Membership: Working with the manager to increase the number of memberships by developing imaginative ways to attract new members.
  • Merchandise: Selling merchandise to people who come to the clubhouse and ensure that new stock is replaced as it is sold.
  • Promotion of SAE: Work with the other clubhouses to promote South American Explorers and publicize the work that we undertake, through guidebooks, publicity in the local hostels and restaurants and other media.
  • Managing the cultural & social events: Developing, organizing and marketing of the cultural and social events program.
  • Fundraising: Bring in other funds through events or grant applications.
  • Volunteer Database: Increase the number of organizations on the volunteer database that is provided for members and ensure that they are put on the website. Annually update the organizations on the volunteer database.
  • Special Events: Working with volunteers and the manager to organize events for members that are a little different, outside the clubhouse, i.e. excursions or trips to visit local projects.

Essential skills & experience needed:

  • Degree level education or equivalent experience
  • Language skills: native standard English and an intermediate level of written and spoken Spanish.
  • Ability to work with culturally diverse groups of people.
  • Ability to organize and plan events effectively.
  • To work independently using initiative.
  • Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Photoshop CS3, InDesign CS3, Quickbooks, Web-based research) and general office administration.
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work in a team and demonstrate leadership skills.
  • Diplomacy and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to multi-task and to be adaptable and resourceful.
  • Experience of developing publicity.

Desirable

  • First hand knowledge of travel in Ecuador and South America.
  • Experience in Marketing and Sales.
  • Webmaster experience.

How to apply:

Please send your CV to the following email address: newtonpl@gmail.com, titled, Quito Manager Application. Please also include a covering letter outlining why you want to work for SAE, why are you suited for this position and what you can contribute to SAE. Additionally, please outline in no more than 500 words what support a traveler or volunteer would need while in South America and how SAE can provide that.



Volunteer Openings in Quito


Currently the Quito Clubhouse has the following internships and volunteer positions available...
Travel Writing and Research - Volunteer Resource Manager - Fundraising



Roles, Responsibilities and Benefits...



Purpose of Intern work with SAE

Over the last couple of years the Intern program has grown to become an integral part of SAE. The club has much to offer a Intern in exchange for their hard work. Beyond the amazing experience of working and living in Quito, a volunteer has the chance to:


  • Work in an international multi-cultural environment
  • Obtain working knowledge of international tourism
  • Develop Spanish language skills
  • Gain an in-depth knowledge of South America
  • Develop new projects to reflect the needs of the clubhouse
  • Work specifically in their area of interest or expertise further developing their skill set
  • Understand the inner workings and management of a NGO

    Other Responsibilities of Interns

    Interns at SAE will have responsibilities in multiple areas. Interns assist members with their itineraries and travel plans, update club information (by phoning or emailing companies, or exploring itself), assist the manager in planning tasks, to advertise and market the clubhouse. Furthermore, Intern s are involved in weekly staff meetings and always included in decision making or brainstorming sessions, in the aim of improving services. Other office tasks include: selling merchandise (maps, books, clothing, etc.), answering e-mails & phone calls. More importantly, in addition, each volunteer works on an individual or special project. These projects keep the club current, address local needs and are, as a consequence, invaluable. Such projects are tailored to reflect the needs of the Club and the Intern’s area, interest or expertise and are discussed upon arrival in Quito



    What the South American Explorers is all about...

    The South American Explorers (SAE) is a non-profit organization that functions mainly as an information network for South America, with clubhouses, in Cusco, Lima and Quito. Since 1977, researchers, explorers, students, and travelers from all over the world have used the SAE and its clubhouses as a base to network and plan their activities. Over the past 20 years, the club has gathered that knowledge and experience to become one of the leading resources of information on South America. Information, however, is only a part of the club's activities: as a foundation, we help promote academic research, exploration, and conservation projects in Latin America. SAE also has an extensive database of organizations in South America that are in need of interns and volunteers.

    Requirements

    Time: A minimum of 3 months (12 weeks) is the absolute minimum. We need you to work 3-5 days per week. Please be aware that Interns who can commit to a longer time frame will be given priority.
    Education: We are looking for people with post secondary education.
    Computer literacy is also a required skill; the office is based on a PC/Window system using Microsoft Word, and Excel. Any skills in graphic design or website development would be an asset because they are regularly in high demand in the office.
    Language: Fluent English is mandatory and a decent working knowledge of Spanish is essential as you will be speaking with local organizations, we also have a large amount of correspondence in Spanish. The better the Interns Spanish language skills the more options they will have concerning projects and other tasks. Other European languages are not required but have always been a real advantage when communicating with other travelers.
    Travel Experience: Although travel experience in South America is a plus it is not a mandatory requirement. We prefer our long-term interns to have travel experience in Latin America (travel in Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile is a plus). We spend a good deal of the day just interacting with members, and it's imperative to have a good base of travel knowledge. That's not to say that you have to have been everywhere, but sounder advice definitely comes with first-hand experience.
    Others skills: We look for enthusiastic, reliable, friendly and open-minded individuals. To have good initiative is important, to work well in a team and to be a “people person”. Sometimes, be prepared for chaos and disruption in your working schedule to help finish tasks with the team.

    Benefits for interns:
    Unfortunately we are unable to pay our interns a stipend, or offer housing, however SAE strives to provide its interns with other benefits in appreciation for the work they will do for the Club. Benefits to interns include but are not limited to:

  • Opportunity to live and work in a different culture.
  • Excellent networking opportunities with other NGO’s, schools, tour operators, academics, etc.
  • Develop new skills, i.e organizational, marketing, I.T
  • Opportunities to organize your own trips with updated information.
  • Free lunch and hot drinks
  • Free internet access one hour before & after office hours and during lunchtime
  • Flexible work schedule – this will allow the Intern time to travel or take Spanish lessons
  • Meet new people and make lifelong friends- Quito SAE office is a very relaxed & social environment in which to work.

    Please apply at quitoclub@saexplorers.org, subject heading as the name of the internship you are applying for.

  • Web Design by Chris Love
    Web Design and Flash Design by Nicolas Jubert and Sam Ehsani
    Pictures by Ryan Bird

    South American Explorers is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Educational Organization
    Click here for important tax information.

     
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