Explore Career Opportunities at Maisha Project

Role Title

Child Sponsorship and Volunteer Coordinator

Anticipated Start Date

April 1, 2026

Role Location

Hybrid or remote. Hybrid is strongly preferred, with four, one half days per week in the Oklahoma City office. Remote candidates must be based in a major U.S. city and demonstrate strong existing organizational or community networks. This role requires periodic local and regional travel and limited international travel to Kenya.

Reporting Line

Reports to the Executive Director. Works closely with the Director of Development, Program Administrators, and the Kenya-based team.

Compensation and Classification

Salaried, exempt, part-time (20 hours per week). The salary range is annualized from the stated hourly benchmarks for a 20-hour work week (1,040 hours per year):

Minimum (equivalent to $18 per hour: $18,720 per year, $1,560 per month Midpoint (equivalent to $20 per hour): $20,800 per year, $1,733.33 per month Maximum (equivalent to $25 per hour): $26,000 per year, $2,166.67 per month

As an exempt role, occasional schedule extensions may be required to meet program needs during peak travel cycles, events, and correspondence periods.

Employment Status

Part-time, 20 hours per week, with potential for increased hours based on performance, program growth, and organizational need.

Role Summary

The International Volunteer and Child Sponsorship Coordinator stewards two core programs of The Maisha Project: the International Volunteer Program (Missions) and the Legacy of Hope Child Sponsorship Program. The role serves as the primary operational and relational lead for volunteer travel logistics, sponsor stewardship, child sponsorship administration, and cross-team coordination with Kenya-based staff. The position requires high organizational discipline, discretion, cultural competency, and consistent attention to safeguarding, compliance, and data protection practices.

Primary Functional Areas

1. Child Sponsorship Administration and Stewardship
2. Donor and Sponsor Engagement
3. International Volunteer Program Coordination
4. Data Management and Compliance
5. Intern Supervision and Office Operations

Key Responsibilities

• Child Sponsorship Administration and Stewardship
• Manage onboarding of new child sponsorships, including accurate database entry and development of individual child case histories.
• Process and reconcile sponsorship contributions to ensure educational and programmatic needs of each sponsored child are met.
• Maintain up-to-date records for all sponsored and unsponsored children across internal systems and third-party platforms.
• Coordinate and track correspondence between sponsors and children, including letters, photos, and periodic photo or video updates.
• Serve as liaison with the Kenya team to ensure timely communication and documentation.
• Prepare and distribute sponsor welcome kits and recurring stewardship materials.
• Coordinate annual initiatives tied to child sponsorship, including appreciation events and holiday drives.

Donor and Sponsor Engagement

Recruit new child sponsors through churches, schools, community groups, and small businesses.

• Support sponsor retention through structured gratitude and communication strategies.
• Present the Legacy of Hope program to external audiences as requested.
• Collaborate with the Development team on sponsorship-related fundraising initiatives and donor communications.

International Volunteer Program Coordination

Manage inquiries, communications, and documentation for volunteers.

• Coordinate domestic and international travel logistics, including schedules, visas, reimbursements, and itineraries.
• Collaborate with U.S. and Kenya teams on trip planning, participant information, and real-time schedule adjustments.
  Administer post-trip surveys, reimbursements, reporting, and follow-up communications.
  Ensure volunteer travel aligns with organizational policies, safeguarding standards, and budget constraints.

Data Management and Compliance

• Maintain accuracy and security of donor, sponsor, and child records.
• Run daily, weekly, and monthly reports related to child sponsorship and volunteer programs.
• Conduct routine audits of data entry to ensure completeness and accuracy.
• Sync sponsorship databases with email and donor management platforms on a recurring basis.
• Reconcile receipts and expenses with Program Administrators at monthly and annual close.

Intern Supervision and Office Operations

• Supervise interns supporting the Legacy of Hope and volunteer programs.
• Provide training, task assignment, and quality control.
• Maintain procedural documentation and internal reference materials.
• Coordinate incoming and outgoing mail related to sponsorship programs.
• Support general office operations and departmental projects as assigned.

Safeguarding, Screening, and Professional Conduct Requirements

This role involves access to sensitive information related to children and sponsors. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of appropriate screening, which may include a background check and professional reference checks, consistent with organizational policy and role scope.

The coordinator must complete required child safeguarding training, follow safeguarding procedures, and promptly escalate any safeguarding concerns through internal reporting channels.

The coordinator must adhere to professional conduct expectations in all communications with children, sponsors, volunteers, staff, and partners.

Data Privacy, Confidentiality, and Information Security

Maintain strict confidentiality of personally identifiable information for children, sponsors, and volunteers.

- Follow internal standards for secure storage, access control, password hygiene, and incident reporting.

Use only approved systems for data storage and transfer, and maintain clean, auditable records.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Two to four years of relevant administrative, program coordination, or nonprofit operations experience
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Suite, Google Workspace, Canva, Dropbox, Constant Contact, and third-party database platforms.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including professional phone etiquette.
• Demonstrated interest in and understanding of East Africa, including travel logistics and visa requirements.
• Ability to travel internationally for up to three weeks per year.

• Access to a personal laptop, smartphone, and reliable internet.

  Core Competencies

  • Operational project management, including planning, sequencing, and deadline discipline.
  • High-trust stakeholder management with sponsors, donors, volunteers, and partner teams.
  • Cross-cultural communication and sound judgment across time zones and organizational contexts.
  • Detail orientation with strong quality control habits for data entry and reporting.
  • Service orientation and responsiveness, paired with appropriate boundaries and discretion.

  Work Cadence and Flexibility

  Working hours will vary based on program needs and seasonal cycles. The organization requests flexibility and expects the coordinator to be available for at least a few hours during each business day, while meeting overall weekly hour expectations.

  Success Metrics, Q2 to Q4 2026

  • Successfully register 40 international volunteers for Kenya.
  • Successfully convert 60 percent of international volunteers to monthly donors.
  • Increase by 24 monthly child sponsors per month.

  How to Apply

  Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and current résumé or CV via email to info@maishaproject.org with the subject line: Child Sponsorship and Volunteer Coordinator Application - [Your Full Name]. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

  Please ensure your cover letter outlines your relevant experience, interest in Maisha's mission, and alignment with the responsibilities and requirements listed above.

  Equal Employment Statement

  The Maisha Project is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and organizational need, without regard to any status protected by applicable law.

Program Dates

Spring Team Maisha: March 14 to March 23, 2026

Summer Team Maisha I: June 4 to June 15, 2026

Summer Team Maisha II: June 18 to July 2, 2026

How to Apply & Learn more: https://www.maishaproject.org/missions/

Overview

The Maisha Project is recruiting volunteers for its 2026 Primary School and Farm-to-Table School Meals Volunteer Program in Western Kenya. This program places volunteers at Maisha Academy, a nonprofit primary school serving approximately 200 students, as well as select partner schools within Maisha’s regional education network.

Based on qualifications and experience, volunteers support pre-primary, lower primary, or upper primary classrooms alongside Kenyan teachers. Classroom activities may include ESL support, literacy and numeracy instruction, enrichment lessons, and interactive learning. Volunteers may also contribute to leadership development activities, outdoor games and physical education, basic technology instruction, and hands-on agriculture education connected to Maisha’s farm-to-table school meals program.

The program prioritizes collaboration with Kenyan educators and strengthens existing education systems rather than replacing local staff. It is designed for individuals seeking a responsible, immersive experience in community-centered education models that integrate learning, nutrition, and child wellbeing.

Volunteer Responsibilities

• Support classroom instruction under the guidance of Kenyan teachers
• Assist with ESL, literacy, numeracy, and enrichment lessons
• Contribute to leadership development, physical activity, and creative learning
• Participate in agriculture and food education tied to school meal programs
• Work within structured supervision and defined teaching roles

Who Should Apply

• Education majors and aspiring teachers
• ESL instructors and tutors
• Professionals with experience working with children or youth
• Volunteers fluent in English with an interest in ethical, systems-oriented education work
• Teaching experience or education coursework is preferred

Program Highlights

• Teach in pre-primary, lower, or upper primary classrooms based on experience
• ESL is integrated across literacy, leadership, and technology activities
• Farm-to-table education is linked to a regional school meals program serving over 10,000 students
• Work alongside experienced Kenyan teachers in nonprofit school settings
• Community-centered approach integrating education, nutrition, and child wellbeing

Program Logistics

• Duration options aligned to cohort dates listed above
• Weekly classroom hours range from 15 to 25 hours, depending on placement
• Group size is small to medium
• Housing is provided in a guesthouse
• Primary working language is English

Program Fee

The program includes accommodation, daily meals on program days, in-country transportation and airport transfers, orientation, classroom placement coordination, on-site support, and program monitoring. Pricing reflects direct investment in Maisha Academy and partner schools, educator supervision, student learning materials, and community education programming.

Impact

Volunteers support classroom learning and school meal-linked education initiatives serving children across Kisumu County. Through strengthened teacher support, enriched learning environments, and integration of agriculture and nutrition education, the program contributes to improved educational continuity and student well-being in communities served year-round.