More on the Assignment

This is what was posted to the Peace Corps Response web site under open positions:

The Habitat for Humanity Foundation, Inc. (HFHP) is requesting one Peace Corps Response volunteer to develop and implement a marketing plan targeting potential overseas donors, which will support HFHP’s existing resource mobilization system. The PCRV will be responsible for analyzing and identifying resource mobilization strategies of global, regional and development partners; reviewing HFHP’s overall program implementation and accomplishments; developing and implementing an overseas marketing strategy for HFHP; establishing systems for communication with prospective and existing donors; developing new online and offline marketing support packages and materials; conducting an orientation/briefing for key HFHP staff upon completion of the project; and developing a fundraising proposal template with the objective of generating new partnerships.

I expressed interest based that and a list of qualifications (most of which I had). I then got a more detailed job description to review before the interview (this is excerpted and paraphrased from that):

The Philippines has a housing backlog of nearly four million homes, and culturally, no Filipino considers himself out of poverty unless he has a home of his own. Habitat for Humanity builds affordable houses and makes them available to families at no profit. The homeowners’ mortgage payments go into a fund that can be used to build more houses. Each homeowner must assist in the building of his/her home and then to contribute to Habitat once he has his/her home by helping others. This promotes pride and dignity, reinforces community relationships, and makes the program sustainable. Homes are built for the poorest 30 percent of the population, those displaced by disasters, and victims of conflicts. Habitat for Humanity Philippines looks for partners who help build houses, help implement community development programs, make donations, are corporate partners, or become advocates. A recent initiative is Friends of Habitat, which is mostly locally-based. The organization wants to tap overseas resources, which is one of the main things I would be working on. There’s a nice web site - http://www.habitat.org.ph/site/index.php - so they (if you’ll excuse the pun) have a solid foundation already!

Habitat for Humanity Philippines was established in 1988 and has built more than 24,000 homes to date, in more than 130 communities. It endeavors to build 5000 new homes every year (now compare that to the four million backlog!). Its four program areas are:
1 – Urban Renewal – “Habitat takes urban housing to the next level.”
2 – Disaster Risk Mitigation – “Rebuilding lives.”
3 – Peace Build – “Building for peace and development.”
4 – Regular Program – “No more slums.”
For this project, the overall aim is to tap overseas philanthropic individuals and organizations and mobilize them for fund support. I would design and implement a marketing plan targeting overseas donors, identifying possible funding networks and identifying specific online and offline marketing materials and support packages. I’d establish a system for communications with prospective and existing donors and develop a fundraising template.

I would start with a four-week immersion program in Habitat for Humanity operations (after a three-day orientation at Peace Corps Philippines). I’ll be based at the Habitat Building and Resource Center in Taguig City (in Metro Manila), a four-level office building with accommodation for select visiting overseas volunteers. I’ll also be going to the HFHP (may as well start using the acronym) national office in Makati City, also part of Metro Manila – next city over, I think), and I’m expected to take public transportation to get there. If I visit a project site, I’ll have an apartment or host family to stay with.

My immediate supervisor will be the Stakeholder Relations Director, whom I would report to at least weekly, by phone or in person. I also report to the Peace Corps Country Director and have to abide by all of the Peace Corps policies. I have to submit monthly work plans and progress reports along with a final report and debriefing for HFHP and a Final Report, Final Evaluation, Partner Evaluation and Description of Service for Peace Corps (I almost feel I should start on those now!).

Living conditions: I’ll have a separate room, bed, basic utilities (electricity and running water) and access to a common condition and bathroom. Dress: regular casual dress at the office or communities, business casual when attending meetings. Regular casual includes plains simple pants, skirts and shirts, while business casual means long or short sleeves, polo shirts, pants and skirts, and maybe a coat or blazer. Safety and Security: Flashy jewelry is discouraged when going into the community (note that the communities I would visit have organized community associations and community police officers), safe to go out alone during the day but advised to have a companion at night, petty crimes brought about by poverty and unemployment do occur. Natural disasters such as typhoons are a regular occurrence; precautionary measures and reminders will be provided.