Urgently needed

What’s the Context and purpose of the role?
VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. You role will improve the ability of disadvantaged people in the Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia to make a living. The textiles industry has been identified as a potential growth area for local small business owners. You’ll advise established manufacturers, specialising in products made of cashmere and yak, sheep and camel wool, on how to improve their marketing and sales processes and assist them in developing their international markets. The products range from knitted and woven clothing and accessories, textiles, carpets to some high-quality handicrafts. You’ll work to increase sales through accessing new markets. In this way, you’ll improve financial security for local communities, enabling them to meet their basic needs and reducing their vulnerability to external factors such as natural disaster, illness or economic instability.

What does the role involve?

What does the role involve?

Cooperating with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Wool and Cashmere Development Council to work with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.
Creating trend predictive and design courses and delivering training sessions every 2 months.
Collaborating with team members: program manager, designer, community marketing specialist, and fiber laboratory technicians.

 

Skills, qualifications and experience required

What skills, experience and personal qualities are needed for the role?
You’ll be educated to degree in marketing, sales, fashion or a related field and have practical experience of value chain development (supply chain). Ideally you’ll have knowledge of international trade regulations and export standards. Links with retailers in the Western market: Europe and North America would come in useful as would contacts with Korea, Japan and Russia.
Good communication skills are essential and a willingness to work with interpreters.  You’ll be experienced at motivating and training others. Adaptability, versatility and a willingness to live and adapt to a remote and rustic environment are all essential.

And the rest...

About this VSO volunteer position…
You’ll be based in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, with a population of 1.2 million people. We’ll ask you to commit to 9 months to make a long-term contribution tackling poverty.  In return we’ll provide you with invaluable training before your placement, a furnished apartment (sometimes shared), language lessons, and a monthly allowance to cover your basic needs, as well as health insurance, and return flights.  When you return to your home country, we’ll help you to resettle and we’ll invite you to stay involved with us through campaigning, development awareness raising and fundraising.

The Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) works directly with teachers, equipping them with skills and resources necessary to work with children who have special needs. As it has grown, the organisation has expanded its reach to include different types of disabilities. You’ll continue the work, started by a previous VSO volunteer, of incorporating autism assessment into the Institute’s courses. You’ll develop the skills of your colleagues at the Institute so that they are better able to teach the various components of the course. Your work will have a strong impact on the ability of teachers working with special needs children to recognise autism in their pupils. With better diagnosis, these children will receive more adequate care and have more chance of being included in society.

What does the role involve?

Ø Supporting the implementation and review of the curriculum in autism
Ø Developing learning resources with department colleagues
Ø Supporting the outreach services
Ø Training teachers at the Institute and through distance learning
Ø Setting and marking exams
Ø Supporting the assessment of children with special needs

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be educated to degree level or higher within a discipline related to teacher children with special needs in particular autism. You’ll have a minimum 3 years’ experience of working with autistic children. You’ll have worked as a trainer of trainers and work with a sensitive and positive outlook. In order to strengthen the skills of your colleagues, you’ll need humour, patience and a real willingness to become part of the KISE community.

And the rest...

You’ll be working in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya and a bustling and busy city. You’ll find all modern conveniences here and a huge range of restaurants and cafes. There are theatres and cinemas alongside sports facilities. For those who can’t wait to see animals, the nearby Nairobi National Park has lions, giraffes, impalas and more wild animals in addition to an animal orphanage. From Nairobi you can travel throughout the country and at weekends there are several daytrips to local nature reserves.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12 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 local salary, 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.

The Jambiani Tourism Training Institute (JTTI) is run by the Hand Across Borders Society (HABS), who work across several countries providing health and education services to communities in need, in the developing world. The Institute is run on a voluntary basis and aims to improve the livelihoods of the rural poor in Jambiani. You’ll be based at the centre, providing training to local people to support them in working within the tourism sector. By passing on your experiences and skills you’ll increase local people’s employment prospects and enhance the participation of the local people in the tourism development of Zanzibar. You’ll teach parts of the diploma in Hospitality and Tourism, whilst also working with the director to improve and curriculum. JTTI has good links with local hotels on Zanzibar and the quality of the teaching is renowned to be high, with several students finding employment upon graduation.

What does the role involve?

Ø Improving the teaching methods at JTTI by sourcing new materials and resources.
Ø Reviewing the curriculum and planning lessons.
Ø Working with collagues to develop new teaching methods and promote active learning techniques.
Ø Training volunteers and staff in these new teaching methods.
Ø Teaching students in Tourism Development subjects (to be agreed with the director).
Ø Networking with a wide range of institutions concerned with tourism development on Zanzibar.
Ø Developing partnerships with training institutions outside Tanzania, who might provide academic support to JTTI.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll have attained qualifications in tourism or a business degree with tourism element, or you’ll be a qualified teacher with experience of working in the tourism sector. You’ll have a minimum of two years’ experience training or teaching and will be a skilled communicator. A knowledge of, and commitment to, sustainable tourism for the benefit of less economically developed communities will be useful as would any experience of working in a developing country. You’ll become part of a dynamic team of volunteers and a social, communicative and friendly attitude will ensure that you are well received.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Jambiani on the East Coast of Zanzibar about 70km from Stone Town. There are several VSO volunteers based in Zanzibar and Jambiani is deemed by some to have the most beautiful beach of all on Zanzibar. You’ll be living in accommodation in within the Institute and you’ll often eat in the communal areas with your colleagues in the evening.

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 local 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.

What’s the Context and purpose of the role?
VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. You role will improve the ability of disadvantaged people in the Ulaanbaatar of Mongolia to make a living. The textiles industry has been identified as a potential growth area for local small business owners. You’ll advise established manufacturers, specialising in products made of cashmere and yak, sheep and camel wool, on how to improve their marketing and sales processes and assist them in developing their international markets. The products range from knitted and woven clothing and accessories, textiles, carpets to some high-quality handicrafts. You’ll work to increase sales through accessing new markets. In this way, you’ll improve financial security for local communities, enabling them to meet their basic needs and reducing their vulnerability to external factors such as natural disaster, illness or economic instability.
 

What does the role involve?

What does the role involve?
· Cooperating with the Mongolian National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Wool and Cashmere Development Council to work with Small and Medium Sized Enterprises.
· Creating marketing and sales courses and delivering training sessions every 2 months.
· Establishing new retail market links in Europe, Asia and North America.
· Collaborating with program managers, designers, community marketing specialists and fiber laboratory technicians.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

What skills, experience and personal qualities are needed for the role?
You’ll be educated to degree in marketing, sales, fashion or a related field and have practical experience of value chain development (supply chain). Ideally you’ll have knowledge of international trade regulations and export standards. Links with retailers in the Western market: Europe and North America would come in useful as would contacts with Korea, Japan and Russia.
Good communication skills are essential and a willingness to work with interpreters.  You’ll be experienced at motivating and training others. Adaptability, versatility and a willingness to live and adapt to a remote and rustic environment are all essential.

And the rest...

About this VSO volunteer position…
You’ll be based in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia, with a population of 1.2 million people. We’ll ask you to commit to 9 months to make a long-term contribution tackling poverty.  In return we’ll provide you with invaluable training before your placement, a furnished apartment (sometimes shared), language lessons, and a monthly allowance to cover your basic needs, as well as health insurance, and return flights.  When you return to your home country, we’ll help you to resettle and we’ll invite you to stay involved with us through campaigning, development awareness raising and fundraising.

 

St Damiano hospital is run by the order of Little Sisters of St. Francis of Assissi in the Bungoma area. The HIV/ AIDS prevalence here is about 10% which is slightly higher than the national average. The Sisters run this 50-bed hospital providing patient care, laboratory and pharmacy services focused on HIV and AIDS. They provide treatment and care to both in and out-patients, work towards the prevention of mother-and-child transmission (PMTCT) and are explanding their VCT and Home Based Care services. Recently the hospital has, as a result of successful fundraising, received a new operating theatre and radiography equipment. Unfortunately they currently lack qualified staff to use this equipment. You’ll use your expertise to train staff and as a result patients will no longer need to be referred to another hospital. In addition St Damiano will be able to accept referrals from other hospitals for patients in need of specialised diagnostic services.

What does the role involve?

Ø Assessing the need for radiography services among patients at the hospital.
Ø Training staff in the use of ultrasound and x-ray.
Ø Developing training materials on the use of the equipment.
Ø Establishing working practices for the diagnostic department.
Ø Providing ultrasound and x0ray services to patients.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be educated to degree level or above in a discipline that includes that use of radiography equipment. You’ll have experience of training others in the use ultrasound and x-ray and be comfortable working with colleagues with a wide range of abilities. The Little Sisters of St. Francis is a faith-based organisation and you’ll need to be respectful of their values. In addition you’ll need to be patient, enthusiastic and accept that the pace of change may be slower than you are used to.

And the rest...

You’ll be working in Bungoma an area of growing amount of tourism with the attraction of Mt. Elgon National Forest, a wonderful trekking destination. The long dormant volcano has an impressive crater (shared partly with Uganda) and you can reach the rim by trekking through a dense and beautiful forest of polycarpus and bamboo. Bungoma has many strores, a bank, an atm, a few restaurants, a chemist and many haridressers! Ther are fruit stands selling mangoes and plantains on the streets.

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 local salary, 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.

In Nigeria VSO is working enhance food security and income generation for disadvantaged and marginalised groups. Following a research project on the Catfish Value Chain, the Fantsuam Foundation is looking to develop its 6-acre Attachab farming site into a permaculture area. You’ll work with Fantsuam to develop a sustainable agriculture project and create a centre for research, training and agricultural production. You’ll encourage the use of permaculture principles in the local community, help to raise awareness of its benefits and support local organisations and farmers wishing to adopt this approach. In particular you’ll work with Fantsuam to develop the Attachab site (possibly for fish farming, poultry, livestock, biomass and water recycling).

 

 

What does the role involve?

· Assessing the need for permaculture and integrated farming approaches among local fish and agricultural farmers.
· Raising awareness of the sustainability and business benefits of this farming approach.
· Developing a realistic and affordable implementation strategy for developing this type of farming.
· Supporting farmers adopting these new techniques.
· Assisting with fundraising efforts to enable the implantation of the programme.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be educated to degree level or above in permaculture, integrated farming, aquaculture or related field. You’ll need a minimum of three years’ practical experience in the field and have an understanding of water and land management. You’ll need to have good training skills in area related to agriculture and be able to share technical knowledge with a wide range of audiences. In addition, patience flexibility and an ability to motivate others to achieve goals and objectives is essential. You’ll be working with sparse resources, so you’ll need to be able to adapt your working methods to make the most of what’s on offer.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Kafanchan, a rural town of about 250,000 people in the south of Kaduna State. The town has a large daily market, main banks and a post office. There are three cities within a 2 hour drive (Jos, Abuja and Kaduna) and nearby are the River Wonderful waterfalls, Fantsuam Resort, Barra Resort and the Kagoro Mountain which is great for hiking.

We’ll ask you to commit to 6 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 local 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.

International development charity VSO works with Sri Lankan partner organisations, to champion the rights of marginalised and poor communities.  Empowering journalists to raise awareness of rights issues is a key to calling for change, and getting the voice of local communities heard. VSO is working in partnership with the Sri Lanka College of Journalism (SLCJ) to improve training for journalists, and enable them to influence decisions, policy and practice through the media. The college is introducing new media to its curriculum and is seeking support to do so. Despite the lack of freedom experienced by the media in Sri Lanka in the past, the industry itself has grown fast, with new media outlets being set up and existing ventures expanding their reach. However, this growth has not been matched by the provision of professional media development. In this role you’ll work towards providing a robust and relevant education for students and existing journalists to respond to the demand for more professionals from the media industry.

What does the role involve?

• Mentoring the academic staff and trainers at SLCJ to increase their teaching skills
• Assisting with curriculum development in order to meet the future challenges of the media industry
• Developing training modules on digital media, online journalism, multi-platform publication and media convergence
• Developing in-house expertise on professional development for the Sri Lanka media houses

Skills, qualifications and experience required

Educated to degree level or above, you’ll have extensive experience in journalism and new media. You’ll have strong training and mentoring skills, and be able to manage a diverse workload. You’ll need to be comfortable working with people at all levels, from College management to marginalised community members. An ability to build trust and rapport with colleagues will be essential to this placement, as will cultural sensitivity. Plenty of patience and an easy-going nature will help you build trust and relationships in an environment where change can be slow.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Colombo, the most cosmopolitan city in the country and a city of stark contrasts in living standards between rich and poor. There are several other volunteers based in Colombo and you’ll have no problem finding entertainment from art to sport in the city or beyond. You’ll be living in a modest area of the city, alongside Sri Lankan neighbours. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to become part of the neighbourhood, and settle into community life. Daily life in Colombo is still influenced by the recently concluded civil conflict, with security checkpoints a common occurrence. However, VSO has a comprehensive security policy and makes sure you have the briefing and practical support you need to be safe.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12 months, to make a sustainable contribution to the college. While you won’t earn a UK salary, you don’t pay a penny to volunteer with VSO. Accommodation and a modest allowance is provided, and we cover all the costs of volunteering, including return flights, insurance and visas. We provide comprehensive practical and personal support, including extensive training before your placement and when you arrive, including language training. If you work for the public sector, you can volunteer with your pensions protected.

Chongwe District Farmers Association (CDFA) was formed in 2002 to support the economic development of its members. They aim to develop agriculture as a sustainable business, improve food security and the livelihoods of farmers. They aim to fight poverty by providing training and extension services and by building market links for farmers. Your role as an M&E Adviser is to develop an M&E plan and to put systems in place that will allow the organisation to move forward in a sustainable way. The Association has a total membership of 1300 of which 40% are women, 20% are youths and 40% are men. Membership consists of small-scale and large-scale farmers, youth clubs, women clubs and cooperatives. By introducing M&E to the Association you’ll enable its members to plan and evaluate their work more accurately, thereby focusing resources in a more efficient way.

What does the role involve?

• Developing Monitoring and Evaluation strategy for CDFA.
• Training board members and staff to use M&E systems.
• Ensuring that documentation and training is in place to ensure knowledge is retained after the end of your placement.
  

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll have a degree level qualification and at least 2 years’ experience of developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems and project reporting. You’ll be confident in working with different programme staff and communities and adapt your knowledge to local needs. Confidence in your skills is essential, as you’ll be working with limited supervision.
Patience, flexibility and a good sense of humour are important qualities in all VSO volunteers, as you’ll need to get used to living and working in a new culture with limited resources and facilities.

And the rest...

Landlocked Zambia is located between the southern rim of the Zaire Basin and the Zambezi River. The country is home to the majestic Victoria Falls as well as excellent National Parks teeming with a huge variety of wildlife. Chongwe is a quiet town lying 40kms from Lusaka. You’ll find all basic facilities and in the town and local transport by bus is plentiful both in and around Chongwe.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12 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 local 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.

You’ll be supporting Christian relief and development association (CRDA), whose membership operates throughout Ethiopia, covering both urban and rural areas emphasizing food security, rural and urban development, health, HIV/AIDS, education, water and sanitation, infrastructure, good governance, environmental protection, civic education, etc. Though they are varied in their organization, activities and scope of intervention, all CRDA members envision a society where human dignity, justice, peace and equality prevail and needs are satisfied. You’ll be training staff at regional and national levels to develop systems of programming and monitoring their work. You’ll be responsible for introducing and enforcing the PME system within CRDA and will provide reports to VSO on how well the organization is achieving its partner objectives.

What does the role involve?

• Introducing participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation systems to CRDA.

• Facilitating the development of the annual and three year plan.

• Developing appropriate M&E tools and providing technical training to staff.

• Providing feedback on the progress of planned activities.

• Using M&E results to encourage learning and accountability with the organization.

• Facilitating the preparation of periodic plans and reports submitted to Government Offices and donors.
  

Skills, qualifications and experience required

Educated to degree level qualification in economics, statistics or social science you’ll have at least 10 years’ experience of developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems and project reporting. Your experience will include working with diverse social environments (social and religious). You’re able to advise on M&E processes and will have confidence in your skills, as you’ll be working with limited supervision. You’ll need integrity a positive attitude and willingness to contribute to the organisation’s mission. Patience, flexibility and a good sense of humour are important qualities in all VSO volunteers, as you’ll need to get used to living and working in a new culture with limited resources and facilities.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Addis Ababa where you will be provided with accommodation close to your workplace. There are many things to do in Ethiopia when you have a little free time. In general Ethiopians tend to spend their leisure time with their families and they will often invite you to join them. There is also a café culture – you while away the hours drinking coffee, tea or cold drinks. The staple Ethiopian food is injera, which is a large circular pancake made from a small grain called teff. Cooked stews and vegetables (collectively known as wat) are placed on the injera, and the whole is eaten communally by hand.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12 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 local 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.

Men, women and children with disabilities all experience a number of challenges in Guyana; there is effectively no support system and few opportunities for them to enhance their existing circumstances by gaining an education, getting a job or accessing appropriate care or therapy. You’ll be working with the National Commission on Disability (NCD) to monitor the implementation of their strategic plan. Their work is part of a wider EU-funded programme, called ABLE. This programme supports people with disabilities and their organisations so that they are better able to participate in society and are included in Guyana’s development plans. You’ll assist ABLE to prepare for upcoming external evaluation of the project (March-April 2010). Although M&E systems are in place, ABLE require support to analyse the information and report on progress towards the overall objectives. Your skills will directly influence the work of the 23 active disabled people’ organisations that are currently involved with ABLE. These DPA’s all benefit from ABLE’s work through training and workshops to enable them to work more effectively and better represent their target groups.

What does the role involve?

Strengthening NCD’s M&E systems:

- Advising NCD on the correct data gathering processes necessary for monitoring the implementation of their strategic plan.
- Training NCD staff to implement and maintain an M&E system and writing reports.
Assisting the ABLE project team in the preparation for the evaluation and reporting to the European Union
- Assisting in collection and analysis of data relating to the ABLE objectives.
- Training and supporting ABLE volunteers on reporting outputs for their placements.
- Maintaining and refining VSO’s system for monitoring ABLE activities.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

Educated to degree level qualification in Social Research, Project Management or similar subject you’ll have at least two years’ experience of developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems and project reporting. You’ll have conducted both quantitative and qualitative research and are able to advise on M&E processes. You’ll be confident in working with different programme staff and communities and adapt your knowledge to local needs. Confidence in your skills is essential, as you’ll be working with limited supervision.

Patience, flexibility and a good sense of humour are important qualities in all VSO volunteers, as you’ll need to get used to living and working in a new culture with limited resources and facilities.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Georgetown, where many other volunteers can be found. Georgetown, known as the ‘Garden City’, lies on the East Bank at the mouth of the Demerara River. You’ll find a wide range of sports and leisure activities, ranging from free DVD shows in local bars to theatres and sports clubs.

We’ll ask you to commit to five 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 local 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.

The prevalence of HIV & AIDS in Nigeria is particularly high in the Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T.), home to Abuja, the capital. The increase in rural to urban migration has lead to a rapid spread in infection linked to various factors such as migrant workers relocating without their families, an increase in red light districts, rise in drug usage and unprotected sex. This leaves the HIV & AIDS prevalence rate twice as high in F.C.T as it is in the ret of the country. You’ll be working with the Gede Foundation in Abuja, an organisation committed to creating a long-term solution to the threat of HIV & AIDS through education and community participation. You’ll work with colleagues at Gede to strengthen laboratory technical knowledge among staff, enabling them to make a greater impact in HIV & AIDS prevention and treatment.

What does the role involve?

· Training staff on the use of PCR machines (testing polymerase chain reaction) in DNA
· Training staff on the use of health information systems
· Carrying out HIV & AIDS testing, CD4 count, rapid testing and viral loading in the local communities
· Providing technical advice on how to improve the laboratory service of the organization

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be educated to degree level or above in laboratory science, microbiology, biochemistry or related field and have at least 3 years’ experience working in NGO’s, development agencies, hospitals, community based organizations or charities. Experience of clinical research and troubleshooting laboratory and clinical equipment would be an advantage. Above all you’ll need patience and perseverance as the pace of change may be slower than you are accustomed to. You’ll need to be good at prioritising work and able to work under pressure. Finally a sense of humour and a willingness to listen and empathise with others are essential.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, where there are currently seven other VSO volunteers. The city is well planned and transport and other services are readily available. All kinds of shops and goods are available, from local markets to expensive expat shops. Travel from the capital is also easy to use, so you’ll be able to explore the rest of the country during your weekends and holidays. With other volunteers located in the city, there’s always someone to help out a new arrival and help you settle in.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12 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 local 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.

Likoni Quality Furniture (LQF) is run by the Mombasa branch of the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya (APDK). The organisation works with the physically disabled to help them overcome their limitations and integrate more fully into their communities. You’ll be working with APDK supporting their Coast Branch, which provides vocational training, production and distribution of orthopaedic mobility aids. You’ll use your skills in the design and production of furniture to improve the output of LQF. Your goal is to increase production and sales of quality products in order to enable disabled people working at LQF to earn a better income and support themselves independently.  

What does the role involve?

· Providing guidance on trends and demand in the furniture market.
· Designing new ranges of furniture to be produced by LQF.
· Establishing quality control processes.
· Ensuring adherence to your designs during the production process.
· Recommending improvements on the production process.
· Providing training on pricing products, stock control and estimating production costs.
· Training staff to use the Internet for marketing purposes.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be educated to degree level or above in Design, with extensive work experience within the furniture industry. You’ll need to have very strong design and business skills and will have worked with quality control systems. On the one hand you’ll be comfortable training others to produce technical drawings, on the other you can provide your colleagues with basic business skills (unit costing, stock control, marketing, financial management).
You’ll need to be passionate about furniture design and keen to pass on your skills to others. You’ll be comfortable working with a range of people and have plenty of initiative and enthusiasm.

And the rest...

You’ll be base in Mombasa, Kenya’s second largest city and is a fascinating and varied place to live. Although the official language is English, you’ll be advised to learn the local Kiswahili as this is widely spoken on the coast. Mombasa lies on the tropical Kenyan coast and is a bustling city with a rich history stretching back to the 12th century. It's the perfect place from which to explore the area: there are many interesting things to see, beaches to relax on and beautiful nature reserves to visit. Mombasa offers a vibrant mixture of cultures, architecture and entertainment.

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 local 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.

This exciting placement is a first for VSO where a UK based volunteer will support an organisation abroad. The China Charity and Donation Information Centre (CCDIC) have established a nationwide charity information platform to protect the interests of donors and to promote NGO transparency and accountability. During a recent study tour to the UK, the Chinese National Volunteering team were introduced to “The Compact” and its series of Codes of Good Practices on how the Government and Voluntary Sector should work with each other. You’ll providing research into how The Compact could be adapted and implemented by the CCDIC and produce policy recommendations by April 2010.

The CCDIC’s research directly informs the policy making of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, who oversees civil society development and management in China. Your findings will therefore be essential to developing the relationship between the Voluntary Sector and Government in China at a time where there are growing demands to release control over the civil society sector.

What does the role involve?

• Developing a research plan.

• Collecting resources and study results on The Compact in UK.

• Highlighting issues around implementing The Compact in China.

• Providing CCDIC with research that is not available online and therefore cannot be accessed in China.

• Collaborating with CCDIC and sharing progress.

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll have excellent skills in conducting research, including desk analysis, gained from working in a social science or legal background. You’ll be experienced in developing research methodologies and will need strong reporting and documentation skills. In addition to these professional skills, you’ll need to be an excellent communicator with self-assurance and an ability to work independently.

And the rest...

The placement is for three months and you will be working from the UK, based at home. VSO will cover reasonable costs incurred whilst working on the project (telephone calls or other sundries), but no salary will be paid for this post.

The Environmental Oriented Training and Support (EOTAS) is an NGO working with parents and teachers of deaf children in the Dodoma region of central Tanzania. You’ll be supporting their work to improve the skills of deaf children, enabling them to become self-reliant and contributing members of their families and communities. There is currently no suitable school for deaf children who complete primary school and you’ll be working at the Dodoma Deaf School to plan programmes for this age range. To assist the school with this expansion, you’ll work with the Head teacher and staff to improve the management of the school’s financial and HR resources. Alongside the management role you’ll work closely with teachers to help them plan activities, set work and develop teaching strategies. You’ll be supporting parents to become active in their children’s education and work with mainstream schools to develop links in areas such as sport, team teaching or teacher training. By providing onsite mentoring, showing good teaching practice and developing team teaching and shared planning, you’ll provide staff at the school with the essential skills required to provide this much-needed education for deaf children in the area.

What does the role involve?

• Building the capacity of the schools managers.

• Work with the Head Teacher to enable the teachers to better deliver their work.

• Supporting teachers in developing lesson plans.

• Mentoring teachers.

• Introducing new teaching techniques in response to the individual abilities of the students.
  

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be working as a Special Education Teacher with at least 2 years’ experience of managing a school for children with disabilities. You’ll be able to advise on areas such as teacher training, lesson planning and managing financial resources. Ideally you’ll have experience of working in a developing country, but overall, being open to working in a new and challenging environment is required. In addition to these professional skills, you’ll need to be an excellent communicator with self-assurance and good sense of humour and adventure. For this role you must be willing to learn Tanzanian Sign Language to help you communicate with some of the students, and basic Kiswahili will help you integrate into the local community, though teachers and students generally speak English. 

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Kisasa, 6kms east of the centre of town. During your spare time Tanzania offers plenty of wonderful sights to visit. It’s home to  Africa’s highest mountain - Kilimanjaro; the continent’s biggest lakes - Victoria, Tanganyika and Nyasa; the largest parks and reserves such as the Serengeti and the Selous; the world’s largest intact volcanic crater at Ngorongoro, as well as the coral islands of Pemba and Unguja which form Zanzibar - the ‘Spice Islands’.

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 local salary, 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.

Although primary education in Malawi is now free, there is a severe shortage of qualified teachers, with an average pupil–teacher ratio of about 100:1. Whilst there are three million children registered at primary school, only 18 per cent enter secondary school and less than five per cent will ever receive tertiary education, which has the potential to severely impact Malawi’s future.
The Malawi Institute of Education (MIE) works to ensure that quality education is made available to children in the country. They have recently embarked on a project to develop reading books for primary school children. You’ll work at the Institute to help design, layout and edit the schoolbooks. Staff at MIE currently lack the skills to use the correct technologies and software related to book design. You’ll bring much-needed experience to the Institute, enabling them to move forward with the project whilst building the capacity of department staff to carry out such work in the future. By improving the teaching materials available to them, you’ll support both children and teachers working to improve education levels in Malawi.

What does the role involve?

- Typesetting various educational materials
- Training colleagues in designing storybooks and textbooks
- Creating an Education Materials Production Process
- Together with the Editor, advising the Institute on issues relating to Educational Materials design
- Developing on the job training for illustrators, subject officers, designers and typesetters
- Assisting in developing funding proposals
- Assisting in marketing MIE to the general public

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be educated to degree level or above in communications, education or curriculum design and have advanced knowledge of script writing and design. You’ll have strong IT graphic and design skills, which you have experience of training others in. With a background in producing educational materials, you’ll be able to demonstrate good judgment when deciding what materials to publish. You must be self-motivated and creative and be able to quickly build trust with your team members. Although English is the main language used at work, a basic knowledge of Chichewa will come in handy in social situations and to get around.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in Domasi, at the MIE centre about 15kms from Zomba City. There are a number of markets and supermarkets close to town which will provide you with all your essentials. Further shopping is available at Blantyre, which is about 70kms away. The area has many areas of outstanding natural beauty to visit and you’ll find it hard to resist travelling around the country to discover its many attractions. The mist-shrouded Zomba Plateau, hovering protectively above the town, has fantastic views of the surrounding plains, hills and lakes and is a favourite with hikers.
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 local 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.

SANSAD was formed in 2004 as a regional network of like-minded voluntary organisations, academic institutions, farmers and trade associations who all believe in giving poor and disadvantaged people a voice and ability to take part in decision-making processes. SANSAD aims to ensure people’s participation in the process of development, peace and governance by addressing regional concerns. You’ll be joining a committed team, working at Sansad to enhance their research capacity. By providing the research necessary to support SANSAD in developing its advocacy plans, you’ll work to promote social justice and assist in the development of sustainable livelihoods.

What does the role involve?

• Undertaking research in the areas of food security, trade, climate change and its impact on agriculture.
• Undertaking desk research, running interviews, organising field visits and collecting and analysing data.
• Providing a research report to SANSAD, which will assist them in planning its advocacy initiatives.
  

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll have excellent skills in conducting research, including desk analysis. You’ll be experienced in developing research methodologies and data collection systems. You’ll need strong reporting and documentation skills and have an understanding of development work. In addition to these professional skills, you’ll need to be an excellent communicator with self-assurance and an ability to work independently.

And the rest...

You’ll be based in spacious New Delhi was built as the imperial capital of India by the British. Old Delhi served as the capital of Islamic India and visitors can easily dip into both, spending half the day immersing themselves in history at the dramatic Red Fort, Jama Masjid and medieval-flavoured bazaars of Old Delhi, and the other half reviving themselves over frothy cappuccinos or frosty cocktails at one of New Delhi’s swanky cafés and bars. Furthermore, Delhi’s recent global cuisine revolution means that you can now feast on everything from meaty Mughlai curries and plump South Indian idlis (rice cakes), to crispy wood-fired pizzas and squishy sashimi. There are countless monuments, museums and leisure opportunities to explore during your spare time, as well as the opportunity to travel further inland.

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 local salary, 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.