Education managers
By itself, improving the skills of teachers in the developing world is not enough to ensure education for all children by 2015. We urgently need volunteers with experience in education management at primary school level (we also have a limited number of placements for managers with secondary-level experience) to go overseas in roles as soon as possible.
Roles generally range from one to two years.
You’ll be a qualified and experienced head teacher, deputy head teacher, local education adviser or a senior level teacher with at least three to five years’ senior or middle management experience.
What you’ll be doing
You’ll work to improve education programmes and the quality of education delivery. You’ll help with school planning, teacher training programmes, continuous professional development, inspection systems, school administration and budgeting, and teacher recruitment, in countries such as Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria or Rwanda.
Example roles
Please note these are just example placements to illustrate the kind of roles that may come up in your skill area.
Education manager
Rwanda
Working with the Provincial Office of Education in Shyogwe you will supervise schools, promoting formal and non-formal education programmes and strengthening the professional capacity and inclusive education skills of teachers.
Rwanda’s education system suffered huge losses in qualified teachers during the 1994 genocide but the country is rebuilding its education infrastructure and has made remarkable progress since then. Rwanda is on its way to reaching the education Millennium Development Goals with a primary school enrolment rate of over 90 per cent. But retention rates are poor, with many students not attending school past primary level, due to social exclusion and poor quality of education.
As an education manager working with the Provincial Office of Education in Shyogwe, you’ll supervise schools and promote formal and non-formal education programmes. You’ll enhance the quality and effectiveness of classroom teaching and learning in primary and lower secondary schools by strengthening the professional capacity and inclusive education skills of teachers.
What does the role involve?
- Assisting the provincial coordinator of education for schools in supervising schools in the Shyogwe diocese
- Enhancing the teaching skills of teachers and enabling them to implement effective training for staff in their schools
- Promoting the effective and efficient use of teaching resources in schools
- Raising awareness of inclusive education management
- Increasing the management and leadership skills of school directors, enabling them to lead their schools more effectively
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll be a qualified teacher with at least five years’ experience in primary or lower secondary education. Strong leadership and management skills are also essential, as is knowledge of best practice in differentiation and inclusive education. Patience, flexibility and the ability to speak French are important, as it will help you to build strong relationships with colleagues. A sense of adventure would also be beneficial, as you’ll be travelling around by motorbike, (VSO provide training).
And the rest...
Rwanda has a surprisingly varied landscape for such a small country. Known as the ‘Land of the thousand hills’ it’s situated on the watershed between Africa’s two largest river systems, the Nile and the Congo and most of the country is impressively mountainous. Rwanda is happily situated just below the equator, so enjoys a temperate climate all year round.
You’ll be based in Shyogwe in a small village four kilometres from the road that runs from Kigali to Butare in the South of Rwanda. It has a small market selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, fresh bread, milk and clothes. Rwanda is Africa’s premier gorilla trekking ground and you might get the chance to spend time with rare primates such as mountain gorillas, colobus and baboons.
Management support officer
Ghana
You will work with the District Education Office in Zebilla to strengthen the capacity of Ghana Education Service staff and Head teachers at the district level to implement functional monitoring services.
The three northern regions of Ghana (Upper East, Upper West and Northern) are the poorest and most disadvantaged area of Ghana. In these regions, 28.5 per cent of adults are illiterate, whilst less than nine per cent of school children who finish primary school can barely read with understanding. VSO is working in partnership with the Ghana Education Service to improve access to and the quality of education in primary schools.
As a management support officer with the District Education Office in Zebilla, you will support this work by strengthening the capacity of Ghana Education Service staff and Head teachers at the district level to implement functional monitoring services.
What does the role involve?
- Working with senior management, circuit supervisors and head teachers to ensure effective monitoring and supervision of schools
- Working with senior management, circuit supervisors and head teachers to improve the school attendance of girls in the district and improve their performance
- Working with senior management and other staff to strengthen accountability, teamwork, planning, monitoring, supervision, and effective people management
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You will need to be a qualified primary teacher with substantial experience in education management. You will need to have several years experience as either or a head teacher or management trainer. The ability to develop teaching and learning materials for use with children and to be able to train others to do the same is desirable. You will need to be able to work independently and be a self-starter. Patience, flexibility and a good sense of humour will also help you settle into working and living in a resource-poor country.
And the rest...
Ghana is located on North Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, bordering the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Togo. It is a land of plains and low plateaus, covered by rainforests in the west and magnificent Lake Volta in the east. Zebilla is the capital of the Bawku West District, which was created in 1990. It is a major stop and therefore has fairly easy access to transport to Bolga. You will be sharing your accommodation with another volunteer. Your accommodation will have electricity though water is from a borehole nearby. There is a district hospital in Zebilla and a market where you can buy food and other essential items.
We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We’ll provide you with extensive training before your placement and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we’ll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placemen ends.
Teacher trainer
Papua New Guinea
Working with the university of Goroka you will help to improve teaching, learning and leadership practices with Papua New Guineans.
Papua New Guinea enjoys exceptional cultural and linguistic diversity but due to its geographic complexity, development challenges are particularly difficult. Many rural areas, where the majority of its 5.3 million people live, can only be reached by air, reinforcing inequalities in access to education and health services. Papua New Guinea is currently reforming its education system with the aim of improving the quality of teaching and learning practices in secondary schools across the country.
VSO tries to address the underlying problem in secondary schools by working with the University of Goroka, the only university training teachers that are teaching secondary schools. The Faculty of Education has the vision of graduating teachers who will become highly skilled and knowledgeable, as well as excellent role models in every sector of society. As an educational manager you will help to improve teaching, learning and leadership practices with Papua New Guineans.
What does the role involve?
- Developing and implementing course materials for a mixed mode school leadership/management programme
- Helping to develop research skills by conducting studies in partnership with Papua New Guineans
- Sharing knowledge, skills and experience with members of the Educational Foundations section
- Co-teaching courses in school based management and leadership programmes
Networking with satellite schools and other organisations
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll need to have a post-graduate degree in educational management, as well as management experience at head or deputy head level at school level or within educational institutions. You’ll need the ability to produce teaching materials in modular format and localised teaching materials. You will be able to be flexible and appreciate tertiary linkage with the community. You’ll have excellent interpersonal, communication and team working skills. In addition, an enthusiasm for living and working in a new and diverse culture.
And the rest...
The mainland of Papua New Guinea and its associated archipelagos stretch across a distance of almost 3,000km between the equator and the southwestern rim of the Pacific Ocean. Although the country only represents one per cent of the world’s surface area, it is home to an estimated five per cent of the world’s biodiversity. The climate is generally hot – most regions experience sunshine for the majority of the year and likewise all areas have a rainy season. The university will provide furnished accommodation with a reliable water supply. Internet access in available at the university and in cafes in Goroka town.
We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.
Current roles
Below are placements ready to go in the next 3 months. To apply for these, please fill out the registration form quoting the relevant placement number; if the role you are interested in becomes filled we will get in touch about other suitable roles. If you aren’t ready to leave yet or none of these placements are suitable, you should register to start the application process and we can match you later.
From 20/08/2012
Curriculum development adviser
South Sudan
Working in the newly established Department of Curriculum Development, you’ll strengthen the professional capabilities of your colleagues.
Curriculum development adviser
Ministry of General Education and Instruction
Juba, South Sudan
Start date: 20th August 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
Working in the newly established Department of Curriculum Development, you’ll strengthen the professional capabilities of your colleagues. You’ll advise on curriculum development activities and act as a mentor to the director of the department.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
Together with senior-management experience in the education sector, you’ll have first-hand knowledge of curriculum development. You’ll also need a degree-level qualification with teaching experience.
And the rest...
You’ll work alongside other VSO volunteers in the ministry’s well-resourced offices in South Sudan’s capital city, Juba.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: SS0020/0004/0001
From 20/08/2012
Teacher training adviser
South Sudan
Working in the Teacher Education and Training Department of newly formed South Sudan, you’ll strengthen the professional capabilities of local staff.
Teacher training adviser
Ministry of General Education and Instruction
Juba, South Sudan
Start date: 20th August 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
Working in the Teacher Education and Training Department of newly formed South Sudan, you’ll strengthen the professional capabilities of local staff. You’ll support the department’s director in the management of teacher education and improve the running of teacher training institutions.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll have significant management experience at senior-level in the education sector. Together with sound education management and planning skills, you’ll be used to providing mentoring support and guidance to others.
And the rest...
You’ll be working alongside other VSO volunteers in the ministry’s well-resourced offices in the capital city, Juba.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: SS0020/0002/0001
From 14/04/2012
Education management adviser
Rwanda
Working alongside the director of education, you’ll help to improve the efficiency of school inspections in the district.
Education management adviser
Education Office, Ngororero District
Ngororero District, Rwanda
Start date: 14 April 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
Working alongside the director of education, you’ll help to improve the efficiency of school inspections in the district. You’ll share your skills in data analysis and planning, and mentor district office staff and head teachers in education management best-practice.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
Together with a degree, you’ll need strong education management experience, ideally gained as a head teacher, deputy head, or LEA adviser. You’ll have first-hand experience in all aspects of education management including inspections, data analysis, reporting and engaging with Parent Teacher Associations.
And the rest...
In order to visit schools in the district, you’ll be travelling around by motorbike. VSO will provide training.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: RWA0300/0001/0002
From 14/04/2012
Education management adviser
Rwanda
Dividing your time between the district office and local schools, you’ll coach primary school head teachers in effective school management.
Education management adviser
Ngoma District Education Office
Kibungo, Rwanda
Start date: 14 April 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
Dividing your time between the district office and local schools, you’ll coach primary school head teachers in effective school management. You’ll also support the district education officer in all aspects of managing primary education in the district.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
Having worked as a head, deputy head or head of department, ideally in a primary school, you’ll have extensive experience of school management. You’ll have the ability to train others, together with an intermediate level of French.
And the rest...
We’ll ask you to bring a motorcycle helmet, as you’ll be getting around the schools as a pillion passenger on a motorbike.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: RWA0255/0002/0004
From 14/04/2012
Education management adviser
Rwanda
You’ll share your education management expertise with district office staff and head teachers to improve the quality of primary school education in Rwamagana.
Education management adviser
Education Office, Rwamagana District
Rwamagana, Rwanda
Start date: 14 April 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
You’ll share your education management expertise with district office staff and head teachers to improve the quality of primary school education in the district. This will involve developing an effective system for school supervision and inspections, as well as strengthening the school management skills of individual head teachers.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
Together with a degree, you’ll have a strong education management background, ideally gained as a head, deputy head, or head of department. You’ll have experience in training and mentoring teachers, together with a basic level of French, which you’ll be willing to develop before and during your placement.
And the rest...
This is a rural placement and you’ll split your time between the education office and visiting local schools – you’ll travel as a pillion passenger on a motorbike.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: RWA0238/0001/0004
From 08/05/2012
Inclusive education methods support officer
Ghana
You’ll contribute to a national effort to improve the quality of teaching in Ghana by supporting the division to improve its teacher training curriculum.
Inclusive education methods support officer
Teacher Education Division
Accra, Ghana
Start date: 8 May 2012
Length: 12 months
What does the role involve?
You’ll contribute to a national effort to improve the quality of teaching in Ghana by supporting the division to improve its teacher training curriculum. You’ll provide advice on inclusive, student-centred teaching methodology for primary school teachers.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
Together with a degree in an education related subject, you’ll have extensive experience in the education sector. You’ll have in-depth knowledge of inclusive education methods with a background in teacher training and curriculum development. You’ll need strong management and mentoring skills.
And the rest...
There are several other VSO education volunteers working in Ghana and you’ll be able to network and share learning with them.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: GHX017/0005/0002
From 12/09/2012
Continuous professional development adviser
Ethiopia
You’ll provide support in active learning and student-centred teaching methods through workshops, demonstration lessons and team teaching.
Continuous professional development adviser
Gilgel Beles College of Teacher Education
Gilgel Beles, Ethiopia
Start date: 12 September 2012
Length: 24 months
What does the role involve?
You’ll assess the professional needs of school teachers in the region and develop CPD activities based on your assessments. You’ll provide support in active learning and student-centred teaching methods through workshops, demonstration lessons and team teaching.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
As a fully qualified teacher, you’ll have at least three years’ post-qualification experience, either at primary, or secondary school level. You’ll have first-hand knowledge of active learning and student-centred teaching methods, together with some experience of training or mentoring other teachers.
And the rest...
VSO will provide you with introductory lessons in the local language, Amharic, to help you communicate with your colleagues and the community.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: ETH0241/0005/0004
From 12/09/2012
Architecture and urban planning teaching and thesis advisor and lecturer
Ethiopia
You'll work in the Ethiopian Institute of Technology of Mekelle University
Architecture and urban planning teaching and thesis advisor and lecturer
Ethiopian Institute of Technology, Mekelle University
Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
Start Date: 12 Sep 2012
Length: 12 months
What does the role involve?
You will build the capacity of the Institute to provide the best education possible.
To do this you will:
Conduct lectures and student consultation in the masters program
Advise staff and master’s students on research related issues for the transfer of knowledge
Participate in all aspects of teaching including delivering courses, seminars, examinations, supervising students' work as well as theses and graduate research work.
Contribute to the education programs
Organise public reviews of student work with invited guests
Support the implementation of the MSc programme
Deliver training to staff
Conduct research including writing research funding applications and collaborating with relevant organisations
Contribute to further development of the department's post-graduate programme and acting as post-graduate research coordinator
Participate in the engineering education reform and support the implementation process of the new curriculum and governance structure as approved by the institute
Participate in institute committees
Build partnerships with relevant educational and industrial institutions.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You'll have a PhD or MSc in Urban, regional or rural planning as well as experience teaching and training in a higher education context and experience of handling large research projects. Ideally you will also have professional experience working in a related field and management experience. You'll need to be a flexible, proactive and positive person who is able to work with limited resources with patience and confidence. You'll be an excellent communicator with the ability to build good relationships with a wide range of people. You'll be open and hardworking with a commitment to capacity building. Flexibility and a sense of humour are essential in this type of work.And the rest...
You'll be based in Mekelle, a city in the North of Ethiopia.
To apply for this role please put the following reference on your application form: ETH0541/0001/0001
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FAQ
What countries do you recruit from?
We recruit volunteers from the Netherlands, UK, the Philippines, Kenya, Canada, Uganda, Ireland and India.
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