National Professional Volunteer - Sign Language Professional at VSO

Duration: 14 Days
Start Date: 26th April, 2019.

Responsibilities

• Support education programs of  pupils living with disabilities (LWD)in Schools identified by VSO Nigeria with primary focus on children with auditory learning disorder ( ALD) and language processing disorder (LPD)
• Provide teaching to children, teachers and relevant stakeholders on the use of sign language
• Provide support on improving quality of learning for children with learning disabilities ( ALD & LPD)  on numeracy and literacy
• Provide professional skills for interpreting and teaching sign language to non-sign language users
• Work with other VSO teams in creating awareness at community and state level on improving access to quality education to marginalised children with focus on children LWD ( ALD +LPD)
• Support and work closely with teachers, community volunteers, school parents and guardians to improve learning outcomeof Children LWD( ALD& LPD)that are out of schools, school dropout and in schools.
• Provide support and mentorshipto teachersin the use of teachers’tool kits for early learners living with ALD & LPDfrom Primary 1-to 3.
• Coordinate participation of parents/guardians and community stakeholders toidentify and support activities that contribute to quality inclusive education of children with auditory learning disorder ( ALD) and language processing disorder (LPD)
• Support sensitisation and awareness creation in communities and schools for increased accessforChildren with Learning Disabilities to quality inclusive education.
• Collaborate with head teachers and education administrators to provide conducive and safe learning environment for children with learning disabilities ( ALD & LPD)
• Support the collection and use of data as baseline for generating reports on program progress and learning.
• Collate and provide monthly, quarterly and annual report of field activities to program lead.
• Report to both the VSO Education Program manager and relevant state stakeholders on  implementation of activities

Key Performance Indicators:

• Improved identification and assessment of children that are marginalized and livingwith audio learning disabilities and language processing disabilities.
• Improved teaching and learning of children with ALD and LPD in Primary 1-3
• Improved leadership at school and local community level to support of the learning of children that are identified as marginalized, out-of-school or school drop outs.
• Improved parental and community engagement in the education of children with auditory and language processing disabilities.
• Documented learning for the scale-up of the impact made.

Adaptability:

• A flexible approach and the ability to adapt behaviour to different situations.

Resilience:

• The self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity.

Skills and Knowledge
Successful candidates are likely to have the following skills, knowledge and experience:

Essential

• Must have a demonstrated skills to interpret and communicate using sign language.
• Nigerian with at least a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or qualification related to education.
• Practical experience working with children, preferably of children in early primary school stage (Primary 1-3) is of great advantage.
• A good level of written English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to work with a range of people in different roles and with different backgrounds and levels of knowledge and experience.
• Able to work with minimal supervision, taking initiative and taking responsibility for results. 
• A commitment to supporting educational improvement of children leaving with disabilities.
• A commitment to work on the programme for 1 year to maximize their learning about effective programme delivery and change-management

The following skills, knowledge and experience would be useful but not essential:

• Training and/or mentoring experience preferably in education.
• Data collection and project monitoring experience.
• Good working ICT skillsin particular good knowledge of using tablets, smartphones and computers for data collection.
• Experience of training, supporting and mentoring others.

Competencies:

• Building and Sustaining working relationships
• The social skills to build and actively maintain working relationships that foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal.
• Open Minded and Respectful
• A non-judgemental approach that values other people and culture.
• Seeking and Sharing Knowledge
• Recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process.
• Facilitating Positive Change
• The ability to analyse problems and develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches.