About the Organization

FINCA Perú, a non-profit microfinance institution, launched a new initiative entitled FINCA Peru Exports. This initiative functions as a fair trade export business and serves to help FINCA Peru’s artisan clients to find overseas markets for their products. Former interns have laid the foundations of the artisan export business, including the creation of a catalogue of offerings, established communication with distributors and a website (www.fincaperuexports.org). Until the business is fully off the ground and has reached a consistent level of sales, it needs an experienced English/Spanish-speaking intern to manage the operations. FPX works with four lines of artisanal production: loom woven textiles, hand knit textiles, the traditional Peruvian art of the retablo, and alabaster stone.

Job Description

There are 2 positions: Production Coordinator or Sales and Marketing Specialist.

Production Coordinator Position: - FPX seeks a production coordinator to manage its four lines of production. The coordinator will supervise the fulfillment of orders and direct the development and production of new competitive and innovative products for the foreign market, and the technical training of participating artisans.

• Coordinate all aspects of the production of artisanal products destined for exportation, including but not limited to the coordination and leadership of weekly meetings with teams of artisans, the development and production of new products and samples, and the supervision of the fulfillment of orders Administration of FPX´s ¨Materials Bank,¨ including the purchase of appropriate raw materials, the distribution of raw materials to artisans, and the maintenance of inventory for accounting purposes

• Administration of FPX´s ¨Tool Bank¨ lending program, including participation in the evaluation of the needs of the artisans, financial evaluations of loan candidates, supervision of loan repayment, and results reporting to donors

• Coordinate all aspects of the technical skills training of participating artisans, including the development of appropriate workshops and educational materials, the hiring and supervision of outside consultants for training workshops and other educational activities, and the supervision of production and quality control

• Maintain current information about the capacity of each team of production and the level of participation of each artisan in FPX meetings and events Coordinate the payment of artisans

• Work closely with the Sales and Marketing Specialist in all aspects of the development and production of new samples and products according to market research, and regarding FPX´s participation in special events and the fulfillment of orders, as well as the accounting

Sales and Marketing Specialist:

• Coordinate all aspects of marketing for FINCA Peru Exports, including but not limited to market research and input on product development, website maintenance and the production of promotional materials, cultivating new sales relationships, maintaining existing sales relationships and coordinating participation in events including fairs and trade shows

• Pursue memberships and certifications from key fair trade organizations and labeling initiatives in North America, Europe and Australia

• Coordinate logistics for shipping and payment of orders, including legal compliance for exportation

• Manage financial administration of business including accounting and record keeping

• Report on program progress to funders and to FINCA Peru national staff

# of Positions per term

1-3

Start Dates

Any academic quarter or semester, depending on availability

Duration of Internship

6-12 months

Academic Background

Production Coordinator Position: near completion of a degree in design, art, fashion or handicraft production and/or demonstrated experience with handicraft production, with preference given to those with professional work experience in textile production, sculpture or retablos.

Sales and Marketing Specialist Position: near completion of a degree in business administration, accounting, marketing, economics, international relations and/or development, or other relevant field. Preference given to those with several years professional work experience and/or graduate students.

Skills/Experience

Production Coordinator Position: Demonstrated experience (outside of your university experience) in business management or the administration of projects, and prior experience in a position of leadership, with preference given to those with experience working with adults with basic levels of education.

Sales and Marketing Specialist Position: Demonstrated knowledge (outside of your university experience) of small/medium business planning and practices or public administration and proficiency in basic accounting practices.

Language Ability

Quechua is the native language in the area, but Spanish is also widely spoken as a second language.

Production Coordinator: Spanish equivalent to completion of 4th-year university level strongly preferred. Quechua preferred.

Sales and Marketing Specialist: demonstrated oral and written English communication skills; proficiency in Spanish equivalent to 2nd-year university level; fluency in other languages--French, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish etc.-- highly desired, although not required.

Other Requirements

• Ability to work independently with very little supervision.
• Experience working or living in Latin America required.
• Cross-cultural communication skills, as well as a sensitivity and interest in other cultures.
• Ability to work in challenging conditions and maintain a positive attitude while using creative problem-solving skills.
• Approaches work as a team-player, but also with a strong sense of ownership and accountability
• Ability to motivate others, passion for fighting poverty

Include a cover letter and resume written in Spanish with your application materials.

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee for the first term of any internship is $2,750 - $2,950. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$1500-$1800
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations	$500

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$80-$150
Food	$250
Local Transportation	$25
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None.

Additional Expense Information

$1200-$1400 Rountrip Airfare to Lima plus $220 Roundtrip Airfare from Lima to Ayacucho

Finca Peru will arrange a room for the intern. The location is one block from the office. The rent is about $80-$90 per month (without kitchen facilities) and meals out can run another $5-$8 per day. Plan an additional $150-$200 per month for incidentals, local transport and travel, and recreation. Opportunities exist to visit Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, so factor in some additional travel money and time after the internship for personal travel.

Ayacucho information - Ayacucho is a colonial style city with approximately 120,000 citizens, calm and quiet, with old streets full of charm where it is good to walk in order to accustom to the extremely quiet atmosphere. It was the capital of the last pre-Inca Empire and a big colonial town. It is located in the middle of the driest area of Peru. It is known as the city of churches. It is about 300 miles from the capitol city of Lima and it is about 8000 feet above sea level. It is also the major business and commercial center in this region of Peru.

Finca Peru website

Finca Peru Exports website

Newsletter_July2008

Link to video of Ayacucho and some of the artisans.

Read IE3 Blog - regional director's visit to Ayacucho

Student blog entries (spring 2008): Teresa Roark and Dustin Cady