Project Coordinator – Mexico (VSI) At Telecoms Without Borders

International Solidarity Volunteer (IVS) mission sheet

Project Coordinator – Mexico

General framework of the mission
Title of the mission: Project Coordinator
Main place of work: Guadalajara, Mexico
Area of action of the mission: Emergency preparedness and response at the community level in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean following natural disasters .

Duration of the mission: 12 months

Departure on mission: July 2024

Clarification: A VSI cannot carry out a mission in the State of which he is a national or legal resident.

About TSF

Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), created in 1998, is the first emergency technology NGO. We enable people affected by humanitarian crises to communicate, to regain perspective on life.

In a world disrupted by climate change and numerous complex crises, TSF contributes to the resilience of communities in the context of natural or man-made disasters, conflicts and migration crises. To respond to these different types of crises and needs, we implement connectivity, access to information and digital inclusion solutions for the benefit of refugees, migrants or displaced people, and any victim of a one-off or prolonged emergency situation.

The project
Since 2003 TSF has had a regional representative office for Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of this project is part of a regional response strategy and local capacities that make it possible to deal with humanitarian crisis situations. This project helps strengthen community resilience through reliable and stable connectivity solutions in centers hosting displaced populations in Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. During the emergency phase following a natural disaster, local actors and populations will be able to count on this reliable internet access which will allow them to give and receive priority information. This approach includes reflection on the problems of access to energy.

In Central America and the Caribbean, TSF will work in partnership with national Red Cross societies, adding resilient internet access and electrical capacity to sites where displaced communities receive regular medical/psychological support, food and information. This partnership with national Red Cross societies combines technical skills with local knowledge and promotes project sustainability by strengthening local capacities to maintain connectivity systems.

In Mexico, TSF works with a number of local civil society organizations that operate shelters for displaced populations. In the event of a disaster, they offer shelter to the local community and provide a range of humanitarian services such as food, clothing and sanitation. By adding internet capacity even during natural disasters, the centers will in turn be able to open internet services to the assisted population on a regular basis.

In both regions, TSF will study the possibility of adding additional internet services linked to connectivity, and relating to the digital inclusion program.

Description of the mission
The volunteer is responsible for monitoring the project in coordination with the LAC regional manager (Latin America and the Caribbean) and the TSF IT department, in special contact with the regional referent, more precisely:

Initial assessment: Identify the specific needs of the areas covered by the project and possible implementation partners. (Terms of reference will be shared).
Project management: planning, monitoring, evaluation, preparation of activity reports and financial reporting to the Lessor.
Participation in the preparation and conduct of training in each region (logistics, purchasing, preparation and use of equipment, visibility, evaluations, etc.)
Emergency deployments in response to possible natural disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean in support of project beneficiaries
Coordinate the operational strategy of the project with stakeholders in a spirit of coordination and complementarity of actors.

Place of the volunteer in the project
The volunteer is placed under the operational responsibility of the Regional Manager, based in Guadalajara, and works in close collaboration with the Information Technology Manager of the regional base, and the project team at TSF headquarters.

The volunteer is in contact with all the project partners.

Working environment

Place of work: TSF office in Guadalajara.
Travel to be planned in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Profile
Training and experience

Experience in humanitarian/development/social project management

Knowledge and know-how

Knowledge of ICT projects in humanitarian, development and social sectors appreciated
Fluency in English and Spanish
Presentation skills, good interpersonal skills
Desire and flexibility to travel internationally
Availability for emergency response in 24-48 hours
Ability to analyze and synthesize, write and present information
Very good command of IT tools (among others, Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
Taste for the field, autonomy, rigor and perseverance, ability to adapt

Terms

International Solidarity Volunteer Status (2005 law)
Contract duration: 1 year
Net monthly allowance of 1700 EUR
Accommodation costs are reimbursed up to 400 euros per month.
Social coverage covered:
- Fund for French people abroad (health insurance, maternity insurance, disability insurance, work accidents, occupational illnesses, old age insurance);
- Mutuelle MAI (supplementary mutual health, insurance and civil liability);
- Mutuaide assistance (medical repatriation assistance, emergency medical expenses, death repatriation of a loved one, etc.)
Coverage of round-trip travel costs between the place of residence and the duty station as well as for travel related to project activities.