Boat Clinic Program Coordinator, Bolivia

Job Category

Do you have a passion for using medical aid to take the Gospel to the hard to reach places?  Samaritan’s Purse is seeking a Boat Clinic Program Coordinator to work primarily onboard the ‘Ruth Bell,’ the Samaritan’s Purse boat clinic.  The Ruth Bell navigates rivers in the Department of Beni in the Bolivian Amazon. The Boat Clinic Program Coordinator is responsible for ensuring the successful voyages to remote communities, managing a team of national staff, working with international and national volunteer medical/dental teams, and sharing the Gospel with people who need Jesus!

At Samaritan’s Purse, the Gospel really is the center of all we do!  We start each day with a time of devotions and spend time praying for each other, our staff and volunteers who serve around the globe. 

In the role of Boat Clinic Program Manager you will have the opportunity to:

• Maintain your personal relationship with Jesus Christ and be an effective witness for Him
• Ensure the proper preparation for monthly trips, including menu planning, food and supply purchases, and making sure all other logistical needs are met (including any boat repairs or maintenance)
• Liaise effectively with key authorities such as local Naval Command (for permits and trip registrations), Controlled Substances (for fuel approvals), and local health officials (for local volunteer opportunities)
• Prepare monthly funds request and provide analysis of year-to-date budget performance
• Manage and support the boat captain, medical doctor and crew; being a servant-leader in sharing responsibility for activities during river voyages (cooking, cleaning, night watch duty, etc.)
• Coordinate short-term international and national volunteer medical/dental teams coming to serve onboard the Ruth Bell medical boat, including orientation, schedules, budgets, and logistics
• Develop and manage relationships with World Medical Mission (WMM) post-resident physicians visiting the boat to support the project; serve as a translator when needed
• Implement evangelism outreaches in remote river communities visited by the Ruth Bell boat; encourage existing believers in their faith to reach their own communities
• Source and/or create discipleship and evangelism materials appropriate for use in the river communities
• Gather testimonies to share with SP communications team, as well as lessons learned and best practices to incorporate in future plans and proposals. Draft monthly, semi-annual and year-end reports
• All other duties as assigned

Check out why people love serving with Samaritan’s Purse: https://bit.ly/2F8Nom5

• Spiritual maturity and the ability to use and apply God's Word in leading self and others
• University degree in a relevant field such as international development, cross-cultural missions, public health, nursing, or business
• Strong program management experience and expertise in logistics
• Previous cross-cultural experience in Latin America required
• Strong initiative and self-motivation, with a commitment to teamwork and servant leadership
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds
• Passionate about the advancement of the Gospel, with an understanding of cultural barriers in remote locations
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; proficiency in Word and Excel
• Fluency in both English and Spanish required
• 12 credit hours of college-level Biblical Studies (required)

Job Location: Dept. of Beni; Trinidad, Bolivia

Type:  Full Time

Language Requirement: Fluency in English and Spanish (required)

Accompaniment:  Spouse only

Travel Expectations: The position requires extensive overnight travel (over 50%) by boat. The boat typically goes out on one voyage per month. These voyages last between 10-20 days. During these voyages, the boat crew members live in small cabins on the Ruth Bell medical boat with shared bathrooms.

Living Conditions:  The position is based out of the Samaritan’s Purse sub-office in Trinidad, Bolivia. Trinidad is a small city with some modern conveniences, but is fairly isolated. The city of Santa Cruz is the closest major city and is a ten hour bus ride away. There are not many expatriates living in Trinidad. There are currently no other IFS positions based out of the Trinidad office. For this reason, the location requires IFS who are comfortable serving in a fully cross-cultural environment.

• Medical, prescription, dental & vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Long-term and Short-term disability insurance
• Term Life Insurance
• 401 (k) retirement savings plan
• 10 paid holidays
• 12 vacation days
• 10 sick/personal days

Samaritan’s Purse Distinct Objectives:

PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL - EXALT Christ and share the Gospel while working in His Name around the world

SERVE WITH EXCELLENCE - EXCEED the world’s standard while serving the purposes of God’s kingdom

RESPOND WITH COMPASSIONATE ACTION - EXPEDITE our response to needs as the Lord reveals opportunities to minister

DEMONSTRATE BIBLICAL INTEGRITY - EXHIBIT character and integrity personally, at home and work

WALK IN BOLD FAITH - EXPECT God to do the impossible