Vacancies

Wanna join our team?

Purpose: To hold legal and financial responsibility for the association along with the other two project managers, create opportunities for volunteers and interns to support its work in the technical aspects, educate and inspire its visitors, look for collaboration with external organisations and the local community.

Contract Length: Fixed-term contract for two years (preferably 2023-2025), with possibility to extend.

Outline of Main Responsibilities

Working in collaboration with Coordinators to do the following:

Infrastructure

Oversee the generation and supply of electricity and water (hot and cold) for the project, including monitoring consumption.

Work alongside the Acequiero to manage the water distribution system for the village (acequia and ram pump).

Develop the project’s waste water system to improve water treatment, storage and recycling.

Design and construct any additional infrastructure and technologies as needed by the project to overcome issues and improve ways of working.

Maintenance

All physical infrastructure, including: houses and rooms, communal areas, bathrooms and toilets, kitchen, outdoor structures.

Internet and telecommunications services

Electrical/solar system, including: batteries, PV panels, wiring.

Sunseed vehicle (repairs, inspections and general maintenance)

Cold and hot water system

Waste water system

Solar technologies: oven, dryer, parabolic cooker

Ensure safety in the workspace

Collaboration and Outreach

Identify new opportunities for collaboration in alignment with Sunseed’s values.

Enhance existing partnerships in activism, research, local exchanges, environmental/social justice.

Liaise with neighbours to gather individual and collective needs. Understand the role Sunseed occupies in the village.

Implement collaboration and community-building within Sunseed and the village.

Strategy, Reporting and Planning

Develop a collective and long-term vision for Sunseed, taking into consideration the history of the project.

Track progress and performance of the project in line with the vision.

Compose organisation-level reports, including annual plans, research reports, annual progress reports, strategic planning, financial YTD reports etc.

Formulate and secure new streams of income to strengthen the project’s financial viability.

Education and Coordination

Plan, organise and present educational workshops and courses for the benefit of community and non-community members.

Identify new and further develop existing volunteer opportunities.

Provide mentorship for staff, interns and volunteers.

Community

Demonstrate use of governance tools such as sociocracy and implement these in decision-making processes.

Take part fully in community life, relevant meetings and to assist in duties that are outside of your post like sharing communal duties.

General

Represent the project across all levels (local, national, international), maintain its good name, raise its profile and strengthen its reputation.

Meet objectives of the technical circle and ensure that what it achieves supports the project in reaching its overarching aims and mission.

Live and work onsite, be available to attend emergencies or urgent matters.

Together with fellow Project Managers; fulfil legal obligations as members of the Association, be accountable for legal matters as required, and accept financial responsibility for the project.

A link to the full job description and person specification can be found here.

Application Process

To apply or enquire about anything regarding the role or application process, please contact admin.coordinator@sunseed.org.uk

All applications must include a CV and motivation letter that includes the following:

What motivates you to become part of Sunseed?

Why would you be a great Project Manager, and what relevant experience could you bring to the role?

What community living experience do you have, if any?

When can you start?

Appropriate Technology Coordinator

The Appropriate Technology department coordinates the maintenance and improvement of community infrastructure, technologies and services at Sunseed. The two key areas are sun and water: renewable electricity generation and consumption, solar water heating, and solar cookers, water service provision, maintenance of the ram pump & waste water system, and overseeing of the water distribution system of Los Molinos del Rio Aguas.

The coordinator supervises volunteers in choosing and carrying out project work and may run research of his/her interest. Collaboration with other departments to correspond to the needs of the community and find possible solutions is a vital part that Appropriate Technology plays in the project.

The coordinator’s role is a volunteer position with a starting compensation of 150 euros per month and a minimum commitment of 9 months.

Core Responsibilities

Ensure electricity generation and overview consumption

Water service provision

Maintenance of ram pump and distribution system (shared with Eco-Maintenance)

Maintenance & improvement of waste water system (shared with Eco-Maintenance)

Maintenance & improvement of solar water heating

Maintaining and encouraging the use of the solar cookers at Sunseed

Overseeing the appropriate technology tools

Guiding & mentoring volunteers & interns

Sorting, acquiring and storing AT materials

Ensuring safety related to the use of AT equipement

Planning and monitoring a departmental budget

Requirements

Background in engineering, mechanics or technology

Design skills of low technology solutions

Experience in some of the following: off-grid electronics and electricity : photovoltaic panels, small wind turbines, batteries. Basic solar water heating, common plumbing systems, working with manual and power tools.

Optional experience in: woodworking, arduino-based systems/ microelectronics, programming, solar devices such as solar cookers, solar dryers

Teaching and demonstrative skills

Planning and direction of projects

Ability and interest in working with upcycled materials

Interest in Appropriate Technology, its importance in the world and its role in the development of a sustainable lifestyle

Desirable Skills

Ability to speak Spanish

Experience in community living

To apply, please email Ashley at communication@sunseed.org.uk and fill out our application form here

Drylands Assistant

Here in Los Molinos we are in the Natural Park 'Karst en Yesos de Sorbas' which has a very interesting geology and a rich diversity of plants. Through the observation of our natural environment, the department of Ecosystem Restoration aims to understand the processes of desertification. Using native plant species and land management techniques, we aim to reduce erosion, improve the quality and water retention capacity of the soil and conserve local biodiversity. From September is the planting season, so we will be busy getting as many native plant species into the soil as we can.

Main responsibilities:

Planting native trees and shrubs

Maintaining our tree nursery: watering and cutting

Sowing the seeds and caring for them

Plant care in drylands to improve survival success (mulching, watering)

Collection of wild seeds and maintenance of the seed bank

Excavation and construction of water retention structures

Working with volunteers and helping to plan and deliver workshops

Participate in community life and attend meetings

Essential skills:

Knowledge of ecology/ geology/ botany

Ability to do physical work in hot conditions

Initiative and attention to detail

Good interpersonal communication skills

Good spoken English

Commitment to sustainability and low impact living

Desirable skills:

Community living experience

The experience of being a volunteer/working with volunteers

Well-spoken Spanish

Interest in research/permaculture

We are looking for someone to take the role as soon as possible. We ask for a minimum 3 month commitment to the project.

Sunseed is a vibrant, intercultural community in which each member contributes to the smooth running of daily life by taking responsibility for ensuring a supportive community environment. We are all part of this group, working closely with each other and respecting each other. The ideal candidate must be motivated to experience this balance between community life, professional responsibilities and personal life.

To apply please contact Luis at drylands.management@sunseed.org.uk

Ecomaintenance Coordinator

Ecomaintenance Coordinator

Sunseed is a non-formal education project for the transition to sustainability. We are totally off-grid and are committed to teaching visitors how to live a low-impact lifestyle in harmony with nature.

In keeping with our philosophy, we recycle and reuse materials whenever possible and make the most of locally available materials such as gypsum and cane. We are increasingly trying to incorporate more environmentally friendly building materials in the restoration of our existing buildings.

One of the responsibilities of the Maintenance Coordinator includes supervising volunteers who are willing to help with maintenance tasks, often with more enthusiasm than knowledge, as well as enforcing clear Health and Safety standards. Larger projects require the assistance of local construction workers and must be coordinated.

This is a voluntary position with a remuneration of €150 per month and a minimum commitment of 9 months.

Main responsibilities:

• Assisting and supervising volunteers in the performance of tasks.

• Maintenance and improvement of our buildings.

• General maintenance of roofs, floors, doors, etc.

• Plastering, painting and finishing with a lime wash.

• Supervision of tools and materials.

• Application of safety regulations.

• Instruction on the correct use of tools.

• Ensuring that azardous tools are not used.

• Maintenance and repair of tools.

• Ensuring that unsafe tools are not used.

• Maintain and repair tools.

Requirements:

• Ability to lead and motivate volunteers, ranging from those with a lot of experience to those with little or no experience.

• Knowledge of construction, including plumbing repairs, plastering, painting, etc. (experience would be an asset).

• Tolerance for hard physical work in hot conditions.

• Ability to organize work schedules and work as part of a team.

Desirable skills:

• Experience with water heating systems or rainwater harvesting systems.

• Experience with green building techniques and materials.

• Experience in the use of power tools.

• Experience in plumbing.

• Ability to speak Spanish.

To apply, please fill out this form.

Communications Coordinator

Communications Coordinator

Sunseed is a non-formal education project for the transition toward sustainability. We are entirely off-grid and committed to teaching visitors how to live a low-impact lifestyle in harmony with nature.

The Communications Department coordinates the education of volunteers and visitors and the production of marketing and educational publicity material. Using social media, the Sunseed website and local contacts, we generate interest in our commitment to living a sustainable and low-impact lifestyle.

This is a volunteer position with compensation of 150 euros per month and a minimum commitment of 9 months.

Core Responsibilities:

• Producing Sunseed e-newsletters

• Maintaining and developing Sunseed’s website, social media profiles and other web presence

• Producing other publicity materials such as posters, postcards, fliers and information as needed

• Ensuring all project documentation is up-to-date and consistent in style

• Ensuring that as much as possible Sunseed literature is in both English and Spanish

• Approaching both Spanish and English media (magazines, websites, radio, TV etc.) regarding possible features, articles and broadcasts about Sunseed

• Advertising the project cost-effectively

• Helping to organise and publicise special events such as courses, guided tours and open days with the Education Coordinator

• Helping to organise Sunseed events

• General office support as needed   

Requirements:

• Experience writing blog items and social media posts

• Knowledge and experience of platforms such as Mailjet and WordPress

• Media/PR experience

• Photography and video skills

• Previous knowledge of NGO administration

• An understanding of organisational structures, particularly non-hierarchical organisations and those in the third sector

• Previous work experience with volunteers ideally in a support role

• A strong affinity with Sunseed’s vision and mission

• Good spoken Spanish and English 

Desirable Skills:

• Graphic design experience (PS / AI / IN)

• Commitment to promoting low-impact living

• Good organisational abilities

• Good communication skills, including ability to work as part of a closely integrated team

• Confidence, sensitivity, patience and open mindedness

• Own laptop with software installed

• Proven experience engaging with a diverse audience

• Ability to set targets, identify priorities and monitor progress

• Ability to live in a basic communal environment with limited resources and the desire to live and work closely with group members

• Ability to document and evaluate work

To apply, please fill in this form.

Required skills:

Commitment to Sunseed’s vision, mission and goals
Commitment to environmental stewardship and social change
Willingness to share knowledge and ideas and encourage learning, teaching and community integration
Ability to give short talks and guided tours
Ability to be flexible, co-operative and welcoming to all visitors
Ability to provide mentoring for visitors and supervise their projects
Good communication skills, good English

Desirable skills:

Some knowledge of Spanish and willingness to improve language skills
If over 25, a full driving license valid for driving in Spain
Interest in living off-grid in a sustainable way

Benefits

Vegetarian food

Locally sourced mostly organic food included

Paid holidays

24 days of paid holidays per year

Amenities

Internet, cosmetics, detergents, library, etc. provided

Scenic landscape

Unique location within a natural reserve with a natural pool

Coordinator

If you come directly as a coordinator the ideal will be to have 1 month of handover, during this month you will receive 100€ and 150€ for the next 5 months. If you don’t have a handover month, it will be 150€ from the first month.

✔️1 MONTH WITH HANDOVER – 100€/month

✔️2-6 MONTHS – 150€/month

✔️7-12 MONTHS – 190€/month

✔️13-18 MONTHS – 230€/month

✔️19+ MONTHS – 270€/month

The minimum commitment required for coordinators is 1 year. It will be considered on a case to case basis if a coordinator cannot commit for a full year.

Project Manager

Project managers are paid 300€/month. To be a project manager you must have previously been a department coordinator for a minimum of 6 months. If you have previously been an assistant or intern for 3 or more months or ESC, this time will be reduced to 3 months.

Project Managers will assume a coordinator position as well. The coordinator of any department can assume the role of project manager. If you take on the role of project manager you must have a 2 year commitment from the time you take on this role.

Committing to Sunseed

Living at Sunseed as a community member means more than simply doing your job well. You will be expected to balance environment, community and personal needs.

You will also be expected to take part fully in community life, relevant meetings and to assist in duties that are outside of your post like sharing communal duties such as cooking and cleaning as well as setting a good example in areas such as enthusiasm, safe practices, punctuality and socialising.

All staff members:

participate in the planning and implementation of tasks in their department and contribute to the overall longer-term strategic development of the project.
are responsible for supervising volunteers and implementing the Health and Safety guidelines in all activities (this is of utmost importance for staff involved in supervising unskilled volunteers in potentially hazardous situations).
are expected to follow and oversee Sunseed’s mission and policies (vegetarian, no-chemical), procedures (grievance) and agreements (communal).