The Project Director is responsible for the month-by-month planning and day-today operations of the project, including volunteer management, construction, and community
relations.
Tasks
- Provide leadership to all Leadership Volunteers and Weekly Volunteers on the project, serving the MDS mission, MDS volunteers, partners, disaster survivors, and community members.
- Balance productivity with providing a positive volunteer experience.
- Monitor all volunteer positions at the project and make sure everything is functioning properly.Deal directly with individuals regarding issues and concerns.
- Respect and utilize people’s expertise as appropriate.
- Establish and maintain clear communication and expectations to achieve goals by having Leadership/ Long-Term team meetings, Weekly Volunteer orientations, and personal interaction with allvolunteers. Use the influence of your role to listen, support, include, guide and provide direction working together as a team.
- Establish an environment of teamwork to meet expectations for quality construction, food services, and relationships.
- Work with the Office Manager to ensure that appropriate MDS financial and accounting procedures are followed and properly reported.
- Work with the Office Manager to schedule morning devotions, weekly guest visits, and cleanup duties.
- Work with the Office Manager to coordinate weekend group activities for all Leadership/Long-Term Volunteers, including local church attendance.
- Work with the Construction Supervisor and Crew Leaders to ensure safety on the job site through weekly orientation, daily site supervision, and providing adequate safety equipment.
- Work with partners to determine meaningful work. Sign on and sign off Job Cards, record construction progress on all jobs, and communicate that information to the person with overall responsibility for the project.
- Oversee the construction process to ensure good quality work is completed in a timely manner.
- Work with the Construction Supervisor to order materials, schedule sub-contractors, and schedule inspections, or perform these tasks if a Construction Supervisor is not present.
- Make sure the tools and equipment are clean, in safe working order, and stored in an organized fashion. Replace tools as needed. Purchases over $500 should be authorized by the Fleet and Logistics Manager (U.S. projects) or Operations Manager (Canadian projects).
- Perform the duties of the Construction Supervisor, if one is not present.
- Work with the community as a liaison between the Long-Term Recovery Group and MDS. Attendand participate in meetings.
- Establish and maintain good relationships with local government and community leaders.
- Take time to listen to stories and show empathy and respect.
- Consult with MDS personnel responsible for the project (including the Project/Response Coordinator, if there is one) regarding case load, client selection, MDS camp site, and partnership agreements, keeping in mind MDS workload and capacity.
- Communicate with the Project/Response Coordinator regularly about the status of the project and to seek support.
- Strive to use prudent financial management to prevent cost overruns and to provide funding agencies with accurate documentation.
- Assure that emergency procedures are available, understood, and followed by all volunteers.
- Ensure the cleanliness of MDS camp facilities.
- Model humility, modesty, and servant leadership.
- Model sensitivity to the cultural and religious diversity of volunteers, homeowners, and the community.
- Work through disagreements with integrity, fairness and humility to maintain relationships.
- Work collaboratively with other Leadership Volunteers by contributing to the needs of the project (e.g. cleaning, running errands, airport trips, etc.).
- Work with the Office Manager to ensure that vehicles are checked, fueled, and cleaned at the end of the week.
More Information
- Must be a Christian, active participant in a church, an in agreement with the Shared Convictions of Mennonite World Conference.
- Strives to shape their leadership and behavior after the life & teachings of Jesus
- Must be a leader who serves the MDS mission and those they work with
- Uses power & authority to help others around them thrive and fulfill their roles and responsibilities
- Previous experience on an MDS project preferred
- Effective interpersonal skills
- Good communication skills
- Basic understanding of construction preferred (required if serving without a Construction Supervisor)
- Code knowledge and willingness to learn local codes
- Ability to estimate quantities and costs of materials and supplies
- Ability to delegate tasks
- Problem-solving skills
- Good time management
- Flexibility, patience, and a positive attitude
- Team player, team builder, and encourager