Program Coordinator

The Tandana Foundation is seeking an energetic, experienced Program Coordinator to lead and facilitate our group volunteer programs in Ecuador.

This is a hands-on, people-centered position for someone who thrives on bringing groups together, navigating logistics, building cross-cultural relationships, and creating meaningful experiences. As the person on the ground with visiting groups, you will lead groups of travelers from North America and around the world as they learn about local cultures, build relationships with community members, and contribute to community well-being through service.

The heart of this position is group leadership. Our strongest candidates will have significant experience leading groups through service-learning, experiential education, international travel, outdoor education, or similar programs. We are looking for an outgoing, confident leader who can command a group's attention while remaining attentive to individual participants, cultural context, safety, and the many logistical details that make a program successful.

A Pathway to Greater Responsibility

This position is also designed to provide an opportunity for professional growth within Tandana. While the initial focus will be on learning our programs, communities, systems, and organizational culture, we hope that an exceptional Program Coordinator may eventually take on greater responsibility, potentially transitioning into the Ecuador Program Manager role.

Candidates with prior management experience—or those who demonstrate strong leadership potential, initiative, sound judgment, and enthusiasm for taking on broader organizational responsibilities—are especially encouraged to apply.

A transition to a larger role is not guaranteed and would depend on performance, readiness, organizational needs, and mutual fit. We are particularly interested in candidates who are looking not simply for a one-year experience, but for the possibility of building a longer-term relationship with Tandana and growing with the organization. This is an opportunity to live and work in Ecuador, develop meaningful relationships with local communities, lead meaningful programs, and grow professionally within a small, mission-driven organization.

The preferred start date is January 4th, 2027 (negotiable). Please apply by October 12th, 2026, which is the date that we will start to review applications.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Tandana programs on a daily basis and facilitate all aspects of each group's experience in Ecuador

• Prepare for programs, lead daily activities, and conduct post-program debriefs and evaluations

• Create a safe, engaging, and inclusive environment for participants throughout their time in Ecuador

• Coordinate service projects and cultural activities with community leaders and other local partners

• Manage program logistics, including transportation, schedules, supplies, meals, and other on-the-ground needs

• Handle program funds responsibly and maintain accurate financial and administrative records

• Set a positive tone for each group and facilitate reflection, learning, and healthy group dynamics

• Represent Tandana professionally and positively with participants, community members, partner organizations, and other local contacts

• Respond calmly and effectively to unexpected challenges, conflicts, and emergency situations

• Understand, embody, and implement Tandana's values in all aspects of the work

• Complete administrative and organizational tasks as needed

• Support the supervision and mentoring of other program staff

• With experience, take on increasing responsibility for program planning, staff coordination, and program development

Requirements:

• Minimum of conversational Spanish and English; fluency in both languages preferred
• Experience leading groups in service projects or other experiential education programs
• Experience living in cross-cultural situations, preferably in Latin America
• Experience working with North Americans
  
• Ability to work cooperatively with a diverse array of people, to solve problems creatively, and to promote a positive experience for all involved
• Self-motivation, responsibility, and an ability to work independently
• WFA certification or greater first aid training and CPR certification; WFR preferred
  

Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience and length of commitment ($850-1,000 per month)

• Health & Dental Insurance as provided by our current insurance carrier

• Round-trip transportation to Ecuador from the United States (if applicable)

• Four weeks of paid vacation annually

• Room and board with a local family (homestay) if desired

• Work expenses including local transportation, cell phone, meals while on a program, and consular fees

• The opportunity to apply for professional development funds on a competitive basis

How to apply:

Interested parties should send a resume and a cover letter addressing each of the following questions to Aaron DiMartino, Senior Operations Director, (View email address on us.fitly.work). Please write "Program Coordinator" in the subject line of the email.

1. Please describe any experience you have living in Ecuador or in another cross-cultural situation.
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses as a leader?
3. Describe an experience that was very challenging for you. How did you deal with the difficulties, and what did you learn from the experience?
4. What are you passionate about, and how do you express that passion?
5. What do you think will be most exciting about this job?
6. What do you think will be most difficult about this job?
7. What are your personal and professional goals for this job and how can we help you accomplish them?
8. We ask for a minimum one-year commitment and are particularly interested in candidates who would be excited about the possibility of staying longer and growing with Tandana. What is your ideal length of commitment, and what would make you interested in building a longer-term role with the organization?
9. How would you rate both your Spanish and English speaking ability? Beginner, intermediate, advanced, native speaker?
10. What interests you about growing with a small organization like Tandana? Please describe any management or supervisory experience you have and the kinds of responsibilities you would hope to take on as you develop in this position.