Job announcement: help organize NGOs in Haiti

A map of Health-related projects in Haiti (InterAction, haitiaidmap.org)

This morning I came across a job announcement directly related to Deborah David’s database proposal to wrangle NGOs and the general concern that NGOs are “wild cards” in Haiti’s development.  Not only don’t they typically coordinate social service delivery with each other, there are thousands of unregistered and unchecked NGOs in the country–perhaps encouraged by the same misperception that aid worker TFTH laments:

Somewhere along the line we’ve done a basic disservice to our donors, to our “Third Audience”, and to ourselves: We have allowed them to believe that relief and development work are easy, uncomplicated and inexpensive.

For all of the romantic oooh-aaaah sometimes associated with aid work, the general population continues to basically lack respect for both the nature of the problems being tackled by aid work, and also what it takes to do aid work. And whether it’s, “98 cents of your dollar goes directly to beneficiaries”,  “your $100 buys a poor family a cow and gets them out of poverty”, or “feel good about making a difference while on vacation”, we’ve become totally seduced by the belief that solving the basic problems of the world can be done cheaply and easily.

Quite frankly, I could call myself an “NGO” and get away with it.  In fact, I came across an online description of myself as a “humanitarian blogger.”  What in the world does that mean?  I’m no humanitarian.  I’m a journalist–end of story.

UNICEF recruits from Haitian diaspora

Katleen Felix who puts in serious legwork for microfinance group Fonkoze sent around this UNICEF announcement (after the jump).  I’d heard through the reliable grapevine that development organizations weren’t welcoming diaspora Haitians but I wasn’t able to confirm.  Let me know if you’ve been rejected out of hand so that I can follow up.  I’m not a therapist so I can’t do much with a general “they suck” complaint.  If publishing your name bothers you, we can work around it.

Before the listing, one eye-opening stat from UNICEF’s recent Haiti report:

—90% of Haiti’s schools are non-public.  That’s complicating the ability to find money for and therefore, pay teachers.  I attended a New York City fundraiser for a P-au-P school a couple of weeks ago.  Great event, everyone gave generously and the founder-principal-teacher-problem fixer-adoptive mother (she’s all those things) will make those dollars stretch–but the exercise still struck me as an inefficient way to finance a school. What happens to kids from areas where principals don’t know any well-connected Haitians living in the States? What’s a more efficient option between government financing and ‘luck of the draw’ fundraising?  Tough question but great opportunity for entrepreneurs.

UNICEF job announcement after the jump:

Work in Haiti: 50 new job listings

REUTERS/Sophia Paris/UN Photos

DH wants to hear from Haitian-American applicants for these positions. Your experience could inspire another reader.  Good luck!

Job Title – UN  RESPONSABLE DE LA SECURITE (H/F) – SECURITY OFFICER (M/F),
Haiti (Port au Prince)
Closing Date – 21 Jun 2010
Organisation  – Action Contre la Faim
URL Address  – http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-84QMSQ

Job Title – Shelter Delegate, Haiti
Closing Date – 04 May 2010
Organisation  – American Red Cross
URL Address  – http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-84PNEL

Work in Haiti: 50 job listings

Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance

Job Title – COORDINATEUR EN EAU, ASSAINISSEMENT & HYGIENE (H/F), Haiti
(Port au Prince)
Closing Date – 12 Jun 2010
Organisation  – Action Contre la Faim
URL Address  – http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-84FLCR

Job Title – COORDINATEUR EN SECURITE ALIMENTAIRE SUPPORT (H/F), Haiti (Port
au Prince)
Closing Date – 12 Jun 2010
Organisation  – Action Contre la Faim
URL Address  – http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-84FLDZ

Paid work for Haitian rights in NYC

Apply by April 16, 2010

Lawyers Earthquake Response Network (LERN) Coordinator

LERN is a national network of lawyers in the U.S. working with Haitian lawyers to implement a legal, human rights-based response to the recent earthquake in Haiti. LERN projects include fighting for safe housing; long-term, effective international assistance to Haiti; and immigration opportunities for Haitians in the U.S.

The coordinator will coordinate the work of the various partners and will mobilize support for human rights and justice in Haiti.

Learn more.

Work in Haiti: 60 job listings right here

Marco Dormino/UN/MINUSTAH/Reuters

These employers are typically NGOs and government contractors; the jobs are posted on development sites like ReliefWeb and Devex.  Readers, if you apply for and are called for any of these jobs, consider sharing your experience with the site.  I’d love to interview you. Good luck.

Job Title – Facilities and Office Manager, Haiti (Port-au-Prince)
Closing Date – 30 Apr 2010
Organisation  – American Red Cross
URL Address  – http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-84AKKG

Job Title – Cash for Work Site Foreman, Haiti (Gressier and Port au Prince,
Haiti)
Closing Date – 23 Apr 2010
Organisation  – GOAL
URL Address  – http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-844KGW

Job Title – NUTRITIONNISTE ? HAITI (Grande Anse) , Haiti (Grande Anse)
Closing Date – 01 May 2010
Organisation  – Médecins du Monde
URL Address  – http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/res.nsf/db900SID/OCHA-845GDR