About the Project

Dawn House is a unique and evolving project situated in the heart of central Portugal, dedicated to harmoniously blending midwifery, permaculture, and spiritual growth. The vision is to create a thriving community hub that embodies sustainability, self-sufficiency, and holistic living. The site features a large garden with access to water, many fruit trees, and a to-be-populated chicken coop. The house itself, while not luxurious, has the potential, after making improvements, to offer a reasonably comfortable environment for hosting events and activities that fall within the setup of Dawn House.

Role Overview and Candidate Requirements

This role offers a unique opportunity for a dedicated and passionate self-sustaining individual to oversee the daily operations and development of Dawn House. If you have a strong background in permaculture, project management, and sustainable living, you can contribute to a meaningful project while enjoying a tranquil lifestyle in a beautiful setting. The candidate should have their own source of income and be able to sustain themselves with food, transport, and other personal expenses, as this role does not provide a salary but offers numerous mainly non-monetary benefits and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Candidates must have the legal right to reside in Portugal, ensure their residency status is maintained, and provide proof of this status.

Responsibilities

• Daily Operations: Manage and maintain the site, ensuring all facilities are in good working order.
• Development: Take a hands-on approach to ongoing construction and gardening projects, implementing permaculture principles.
• Preparation: Focus initially on improving the house and maintaining the garden to reach a minimum standard for hosting events and activities.
• Gardening and Processing: Cultivate the garden, manage fruit trees, and process fruits and vegetables grown on-site.
• House Maintenance: Perform tasks related to home improvement, such as plastering, interior design, and general maintenance to enhance the living and event spaces.
• Event Hosting: Once the site is adequately prepared, assist in organizing and hosting events, workshops, and retreats that align with the project’s vision.
• Autonomy and Initiative: Work independently to make decisions and solve problems, while also following instructions when necessary.
• Community Engagement: Foster a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for visitors and participants.
• Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with the house owner and other stakeholders.
• Decision-Making: Participate in the emerging team to jointly take decisions, with the house owner having the final say on activities and developments.

Skills

• Experience: Proven track record of achievements in similar projects, preferably with at least a Permaculture Design Course (PDC) and experience in PDC projects.
• Management: Strong project and people management skills, along with practical gardening experience.
• Gardening and Processing: Skills in cultivating a garden, managing fruit trees, and processing home-grown fruits and vegetables.
• Home Improvement and Design: Proficiency in tasks related to home improvement, such as plastering, and a creative approach to interior design towards hosting people and courses.
• Collaborative Nature: Ability to work well with others, fostering a cooperative and harmonious environment while maintaining a high degree of independence in implementing what was jointly decided.
• Character: Highly trustworthy, responsible, and capable of working independently. Excellent communication skills are essential.
• Commitment: Willingness to commit to the project for at least 2 years.
• Lifestyle: Relatively comfortable living alone in a semi-rural setting, with a passion for reading, writing, or other solitary activities during downtime.

On Offer

• Accommodation: You will have your own private quarters within the house, ensuring you have personal space. The house also includes shared areas such as the kitchen, shower, and communal spaces. While you will have autonomy in your private quarters, the shared spaces will be used by the house owner and guests during events and activities. This setup fosters a sense of community while respecting individual privacy.
• Garden: You will have the opportunity to use, develop, and enjoy a large garden with abundant water resources, numerous fruit trees, and a to-be-populated chicken coop. The garden offers a perfect space for those passionate about permaculture and sustainable living to implement their ideas and projects.
• Expenses: There will be for the first two years of living on site, no personal bills for electricity, water, and internet unless they exceed the current expenses. This allows you to focus on your personal development as well as on the development and maintenance of the site without financial worries.
• Support and Collaboration: You will benefit from a collaborative environment where ideas can be bounced off and support is available when needed. The house owner will be around at times, providing backup and ensuring smooth operations. This partnership aims to create a self-sustaining site where both you and the project can thrive.

Summary of Perks

• Rent-Free Living: Enjoy the benefits of living rent-free in a beautiful and tranquil environment.
• Ample Free Time: With basic needs covered, you will have plenty of time to read, write, garden, and engage in other personal projects.
• Autonomy and Responsibility: While you will have significant autonomy in managing the site, you will also work in a supportive and collaborative environment.
• Development Opportunities: This role offers a unique chance to develop a site into a thriving community hub, implementing your skills and vision for sustainable living.

Defining spaces

• Private space: your room.
• Shared space: shared areas, the kitchen, the bathroom, storage space outside the private room, ...
• Communal space: the areas destined for jointly agreed upon activities; accessible by guests.

Some limitations set forward as a rule of thumb or for your information

• No dogs or cats inside the house.
• No alcohol use outside the private space.
• No use or storage of any drugs except those medically prescribed.
• No commercial activities that include the house.
• While Oledo is accessible it is strongly adviced to have a car (with Portuguese license plates).
• For clarity: while you have your own private space you will not necessarily live by yourself at all times.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to express their interest in writing, detailing their relevant experience and vision for the project. Please visit the website to get acquainted with the site and the project: Dawn House. Selected candidates will be interviewed via video link, with an on-site meeting planned for settling in.

To submit your application: dawnhouse@nomadtribe.net

Follow-up:

Subscribe to our Roots Of Change forum on the Mighty Networks platform.

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Dawn House

Draft floor plans of the premisses
https://justpaste.it/c-fps

Permaculture and Vocational Training

Permaculture Pathways Course (PPC) (Concept)