Community Program Coordinator, Costa Rica

Empower Communities and Lead Change in Costa Rica

Location: Costa Rica | Start Date: ASAP | Duration: 6 months - 1 year

🌎 BRING YOUR TEACHING SKILLS TO LIFE WHERE IT MATTERS MOST

You’re passionate about education, thrive in vibrant multicultural settings, and want to lead meaningful community development on the front lines. You’re ready to step into a leadership role where your Spanish fluency, mentoring mindset, and classroom experience can drive real-world educational outcomes.

At GVI Puerto Viejo, we’re looking for someone like you to help lead our local impact initiatives and guide the next generation of global change-makers.

✨ WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS

As our Community Program Coordinator, you are the bridge between international volunteers and the local Puerto Viejo community. Your leadership ensures that our English literacy and Women’s Empowerment programs aren't just classes - they are pathways to sustainable opportunity. By guiding volunteers and managing daily operations, you turn passion into measurable progress.

🎯 WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Lead with Impact: Oversee the daily operations of our education projects, from long-term objective setting to weekly logistics.
• Mentor the Next Generation: Train and manage international participants, acting as a professional role model and ensuring they deliver high-quality workshops.
• Engage the Community: Foster deep, respectful relationships within Puerto Viejo, teaching English across all age groups in both formal and informal settings.
• Drive Project Growth: Assist the Program Manager in evaluating project data and seeking new ways to improve the quality of our community services.
• Tell the Story: Maintain social media and project records to showcase the incredible work being done on the ground. 

🚀 WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TEAM

• Language Skills: Fluency in Spanish is essential to connect with the community and lead effectively.
• Educational Background: Proven teaching experience; a TEFL certification is ideal (though we can help arrange this).
• Community Mindset: Previous experience working within community development or social impact programs.
• Adaptability: A flexible approach to work, ready to dive into everything from weekend projects to daily base chores.

Bonus if you also have:

• Emergency First Response or First Aid certification.
• Previous GVI experience.

🎉 WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

• Monthly salary
• A unique and immersive conservation experience
• All meals provided 
• Visa support (where applicable)
• Growth opportunities across our 17 locations
• A pathway into long-term conservation work
• A collaborative, purpose-driven culture
• In-house training and mentoring
• Emergency medical and travel insurance

🌴 LIVING & WORKING CONDITIONS IN COSTA RICA 

Our hub is located in the vibrant coastal town of Puerto Viejo, where the jungle meets the Caribbean Sea. It is a fast-paced, fun, and deeply rewarding environment where you will live and work alongside a dedicated international team.

• 🏠 Living Conditions: Shared staff/volunteer accommodation in a community-focused setting.
• 🍽️ Food: Local Caribbean-inspired meals provided daily.
• 🚲 Getting Around: Walking or cycling is the best way to soak in the local atmosphere.
• 🧗Fitness & Conditions: Be prepared for a tropical climate and an active daily schedule.

🌱WORKING AT GVI

At GVI, we're driven by the desire to make a positive impact on our planet and its people. Our dedicated teams are actively working to address global challenges and together, we leverage a diverse set of specialised skills to pursue a shared vision: cultivating a brighter and more sustainable future for all.

Working at GVI is fast-paced and fun. You will join a community that values passion, authenticity and innovation, and where we treat each other with respect. But we can do better than words to show you who we are! To see what it's really like to work for GVI: 

🎥 Watch Here

📰 Read Here

👥 Meet the Team

✅ YOUR NEXT STEP

If you’re ready to live your values, lead with purpose, and contribute to meaningful community empowerment, we want to hear from you.

Please send us your CV and a short Cover Letter sharing why this role is the right fit for you.

Kindly note: We genuinely appreciate every application we receive. If you haven’t heard from us within 3–4 weeks, it likely means we’ve moved forward with other candidates this time. That said, we’d love for you to stay connected and consider applying again in the future!