Latest Job Opportunities at VSO

Role Overview

• This role will support the transformation and improvement of the Education system in Nigeria.

Job Purpose

• To conduct research on governance and policy and how it relates to youth development in Nigeria.
• To develop and assist in implementing VSO Nigeria programs that will promote and enhance youth engagement in governance.
• To work with VSO Nigeria in striving to improve youth related policies in Nigeria

Responsibilities

• The volunteer will primarily be based with the ESSPIN office in ENUGU, and will work with the State School Improvement Team (SSIT) and State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to strengthen understanding of education systems, school improvement and classroom practice.

The volunteer will have a range of tasks and activities:

• Will be part of Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria's (ESSPIN) School Improvement Team programme with a particular focus in Enugu. There are often opportunities where the Education Sector Support Programme in Nigeria (ESSPIN) colleagues, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) colleagues and VSO come together to share ideas and practices.
• Work closely with the ESSPIN Education Quality Specialist, to support the improvement of the quality of education in the two locations.
• SSIT (State School Improvement Team) have been trained by ESSPIN and SUBEB for the past three or four years .
• The team is made up of school inspectors, head teachers, teachers, university lecturers, LGEA workers and others.
• The volunteer will continue to support the training of the SSIT in child centred methodologies such as group work, using teaching aids, asking open questions, assessment methods, raising self esteem, behaviour management etc. as well as giving subject specific support in literacy and numeracy.
• Travel within the state, to the local LGEAs to support and work along the SSIT as they train and support the training in the schools.
• There will also be the opportunity to travel to and work in other ESSPIN states , supporting the wider programme.

Key Performance Indicator

• The performance indicators will be jointly developed with the employer upon final agreement on work objectives

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.
• 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
Essential

• Bachelor's Degree or Post-graduate Degree in Education
• A minimum of 4 years teaching experience
• Experience in teaching literacy and numeracy.
• Knowledge and experience of working with government officials
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to adapt knowledge and experience to Nigeria
• Ability to support others to adapt ideas to their own context
• Good understanding of subject matter - primary education

Desirable

• Ability to handle responsibility
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to maintain good working relationship
• Good communication skills- creativity in problem solving & conflict resolution
• Enthusiastic and good team player
• Experience of working with and/or developing participatory programmes for children (this would be helpful).

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Role Overview

• The volunteer will support and train a team of graduate volunteer teachers as well as train the teachers from the project schools on teaching methods, using learners-centered methods.
• The volunteer will also develop tools for monitoring and recording project intervention activities on teaching and learning.

Job Purpose

• To build the capacity of primary school teachers to deliver quality teachings using using learners-centered methodologies

Project Summary

Goal:

• Reduce poverty and the vulnerability of youth in Nigeria.
• The Youth for Development (Y4D) Education project in Nasarawa state works in partnership with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to deliver quality education support to the rural secondary schools in Kwara State.

Objectives:

• Enhance the quality of teaching of science and maths in project schools in Kwara State
• Strengthen Secondary Education in the State through teacher training and education management interventions as well as conduct frequent monitoring of project interventions

Job Description

• The volunteer will be based with VSO Nigeria's partner organization in Ilorin, Kwara State and will work with other project partners, schools and communities in the State to implement the Education project.

Responsibilities
The volunteer will have a range of tasks and activities:

• The volunteer will primarily be based with Ilorin, a local NGO partner organization in Kwara State, and will work with the project partners on supporting secondary education to improve the quality of teaching and learning in the partner schools.
• The volunteer will also work with partners to strengthen the understanding of education systems, school improvement and classroom practice.
• The volunteer will have a range of tasks and activities;
• Familiarize himself/herself with the Nigeria Education Sector and the project.
• Conduct a needs assessment in project target schools and training of implementing partners to administer tools.
• Analysis of needs assessment reports and developing action plan for interventions on the identified needs
• Materials and execute plan as agreed
• Work with a team of volunteers and schools to train teachers on professional teaching methods using learner-centered methodologies to deliver teaching and learning.
• Work in collaboration with the monitoring & evaluation manager to develop monitoring tools for collecting routine data that informs the monitoring and evaluation framework.
• Train implementing partners on routine data collection for monitoring and evaluation
• Jointly monitor training impact on students and teachers.
• Fulfill an advocacy role for VSO as and when required
• Actively participate in the Monitoring and Evaluation of the programme (baseline, periodic monitoring, gathering data, analysis and reporting).
• Write periodic progress reports as per the partner and VSO requirements.
• There might also be the opportunity to travel to and work in other VSO Nigeria Education projects, supporting the wider programme

The Key performance indicators
The Key performance indicators will be measured by the teachers and national volunteers being supported and the projects of the national volunteers being coordinated by the International volunteer. This includes the level of impact of the teachers and number of the national and community volunteers that have gain new skills and knowledge in quality teaching and learning.

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.

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.
  

Essential

• Bachelor's Degree or Post-graduate degree in Education
• A minimum of 4 years teaching experience
• Experience in teaching literacy and numeracy.
• Knowledge and experience of working with government officials
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to adapt knowledge and experience to Nigeria
• Ability to support others to adapt ideas to their own context
• Good understanding of subject matter - primary education
• Experience in working on ‘Inclusive Education’, for example, working with girls, people with disabilities, etc.

Desirable:

• Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, Power Point and/or Microsoft Project
• Good report writing skills
• Experience of working with and/or developing participatory programmes for children
• Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings
• A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment
• Patience, tolerance and flexibility
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to maintain good working relationship
• Creativity in problem solving & conflict resolution
• Enthusiastic and good team player

Personal considerations
(In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you.)

Personal Health Consideration:

• If you have a significant current or past medical condition and/or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you.
• All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO.
• Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement.

Access to Medical Care Support:

• The standard and quality of local medical care and support available at this placement will depend on its location within the country. Health facilities are likely to be more poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication.
• However, this may not be the case in the capital city or in a larger town, where in some countries there may be a reasonable standard of medical care. The following gives you an indication of where the placement is in relation to the country office and how easy it would be to make the journey if you were ill.
• The volunteer will be based in Ilorin, Kwara the State capital and will have easy access to the medical facilities available in the Capital - this includes private clinics and State hospital. The VSO Programme Office in Abuja is about 6 hours from Ilorin by road.
• There is a private hospital in proximity to the volunteers' placement and home in Lafia, Nasarawa state to enable volunteers to seek medical assistance 24 hours of the day. Mosquito nets are given to volunteers during the In country training. Programme staff will also check the accommodation before volunteer’s arrival to ensure that it meets VSO Nigeria’s minimum standard to prevent malaria attacks. Aside Malaria, Typhoid is another common ailment that can be contacted, in other to prevent this disease, volunteers are advised to boil and filter their drinking water, wash fruits and vegetables before eating and cooking.
• There is also a one hour health talk on healthy living during the in country orientation which is facilitated by a medical doctor invited from one of VSO Nigeria’s recommended hospital. Volunteers are also given a comprehensive health manual that provides necessary information on health issues.
• Good nutrition can be a challenge with available foods. It is advisable to take vitamin tablets.

Motorcycle Requirements

• Motorbike is an essential means of transportation. The volunteer may need to ride as a pillion; he or she should come with a helmet, as this is usually the means of transport in some parts of the state.

Security information

• The Volunteer would be briefed on security issues in Nigeria during the In country orientation upon arrival. This provides tips for volunteers in managing security issues while in Nigeria. A regular update is also provided weekly in a bulletin form to volunteers through e-mail.
• Nigeria is such a vast country but often reports in newspapers can be distorted of the situation on the ground. Safety is paramount to VSO and volunteers are kept very well informed of any concerns.

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Role Overview

• This position will build the capacity of national volunteers and local partners on project management skills such as project design, planning, monitoring and evaluation, learning and impact assessment.
• He/ she will support a group of volunteer team leaders/ project officers in acquiring project management skills through coaching, mentoring and facilitating experiential learning.
• This position will also play a support role in stakeholder partnerships and development of new partners.

Responsibilities
Capacity Building of National Volunteers, Partners and Project Staff:

• Design and undertake trainings for National volunteers on project management skills.
• Capacity building of local partners on project cycle management.
• Coaching and mentoring of National volunteers and Project Officers.
• Provide support in project communication.
• Monitoring and Evaluation of training activities.
• Prepare and test tools to evaluate the impact of the project.

Partnership Support:

• Provide high level support to stakeholders across sectors, so that partners maximise the resources available in their area to ensure projects represent good value for money:
• Education Partners: Ministry of Education, College of Education, NYSC and NGO partners.
• Secure Livelihoods Partners: Ministry of Agriculture, Private Sector, processors and trading companies.
• Public institutions, and institutions working on accountability and governance.
• Provide advice and guidance directly to local partners on program and project management, governance and strategy development, consultation and partner engagement.
• Support the organisation of quarterly cluster meetings.

Support in development of new Partnerships & Relationship management:

• Identify the needs and the expectations of the VSO Nigeria program
• Build relationships with NGOs, forums, companies, local experts and relevant institutions
• Identify new donors and (fund raising) support in concept and proposal development.
• Represent VSO as/when required at events, meetings, training workshops etc.

Note: Due to the nature of our volunteer placements, it is possible that the responsibilities of this role may differ in reality and therefore the post holder will need to be prepared to be flexible and adapt to their environment as necessary.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Preparation and execution of training modules
• Training reports
• Number of trainings
• Execution of mentoring and coaching programs
• Number of National volunteers and Project staff mentored
• Change in the quality of the performance of partners, volunteers and staff
• Management reports
• Yearly management review reports

Note: Objectives will be confirmed in a three way discussion between the volunteer, employer and VSO in the first three months of the placement.

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.
• 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
Essential:

• Masters' degree in Business Administration, Development Management or equivalent.
• At least 5 years specific work experience in training and capacity-building.
• Proactive and entrepreneurial.
• Good organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, good representation with public and private partners.
• Teamwork and interest for knowledge transfer.
• Strong interest in Technical/ Vocational Training, and supporting teams.
• Fluency in English.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in Africa is recommended, in particular in Nigeria/West Africa.
• Knowledge of Hausa language
• Willingness to work in a difficult environment where basic amenities (electricity, internet etc) is a challenge .
• Experience in working with people from diverse background

Personal considerations
In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you.

Personal Health Considerations:

• If you have a significant current or past medical condition and/or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO. Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement. For further guidance about medical assessment and volunteering with a medical condition please see the frequently asked questions on VSO website.

Access to Medical Care and Support:

• The standard and quality of local medical care and support available at this placement will depend on its location within the country. Health facilities are likely to be more poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication. However, this may not be the case in the capital city or in a larger town, where in some countries there may be a reasonable standard of medical care.
• The following gives you an indication of where the placement is in relation to the country office and how easy it would be to make the journey if you were ill.
• One volunteer position will be based in Lagos, and the other Kano.
• Lagos, located in the South-West region, is the economic nerve centre of Nigeria and there will be easy access to the medical facilities available in the Capital - this includes private clinics and State hospitals. The VSO Programme Office in Abuja is between 9 to 10 hours from Lagos by road and about an hour by air. There are daily flights to Lagos from Abuja.
• Kano, located in the North-West region, is the largest city in Northern Nigeria and there will be easy access to the medical facilities available in the Capital - this includes private clinics and State hospitals. The VSO Programme Office in Abuja is about 5 hours from Kano by road and about an hour by air. There are daily flights to Kano from Abuja.
• Mosquito nets are given to volunteers during the In-country orientation (ICO). Programme staff will also check the accommodation before volunteer's arrival to ensure that it meets VSO Nigeria's minimum standard to prevent susceptibility to malaria. Aside Malaria, Typhoid is another common ailment that can be contacted, in other to prevent this disease, volunteers are advised to boil and filter their drinking water, wash fruits and vegetables before eating and cooking.
• There is also a health/medical session on healthy living during the ICO which is facilitated by a medical doctor invited from one of VSO Nigeria's recommended hospital. Volunteers are also given a comprehensive health manual that provides necessary information on health issues.