Volunteer Team Leader at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) - Kwara

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) is recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Volunteer Team Leader

Location: Oke-Ero/Kwara, Nigeria

Role overview
VSO Nigeria is looking to recruit 4 Volunteer Team Leaders, who will support the Youth Programme Team in Pre-placement preparation, volunteer welfare and development support, monitoring and evaluation, programme planning and facilitation. THIS IS A VOLUNTEER POSITION, NOT PAID EMPLOYMENT.

The objectives of being a volunteer Team Leader with VSO ICS are:

• To actively contribute to the delivery of a VSO ICS project
• Support VSO ICS volunteers with their personal development
• Continue to build on your own personal and professional development.

Role Purpose
The objectives of being a volunteer Team Leader with VSO ICS are:

• To actively contribute to the delivery of a VSO ICS project
• Support VSO ICS volunteers with their personal development
• Continue to build on your own personal and professional development.

Personal Specification

• A passion for the role of young people in international development;
• A belief in the values of VSO;
• A full commitment to the three stages of ICS (pre placement, on placement, post placement)
• Self-motivated with the ability to work flexibly and on own initiative;
• Sensitive to the needs of others and committed to learning from an ICS placement.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Experience of working and supporting young people from varying backgrounds;
• Ability to demonstrate leadership qualities
• Strong facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to plan logically, managing a varied workload and working environment ;
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• A basic understanding of development issues, e.g. poverty, advocacy, sexual health;
• Experience of working in a cross-cultural environment;
• Experience of working/ volunteering in a developing country

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Experience of managing resources (e.g. finances )
• Experience of coordinating and evaluating a project, programme or initiative

Core Responsibilities
Pre Placement Preparation

• Attend a one-day leader-specific training in the UK and a team leader orientation in country
• Attend a three-day training weekend with other ICS volunteers, acting as a role model for other ICS volunteers;
• Carefully read the Volunteer Handbook and carry out all necessary tasks listed, e.g. fundraising, police-record checks, vaccinations, visas etc.
• Initial research into Country Programme and programme theme, to further prepare for placement overseas.

Volunteer Welfare and Development Support

• Adhere to the VSO ICS code of conduct, acting as a role model to volunteers at all times
• Complement staff welfare visits, offering day to day support to volunteers;
• Communicate frequently with VSO ICS staff on volunteer welfare issues;
• Facilitate the development of volunteers personal and professional skills;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the programme aims and objectives.

Programme Planning and Facilitation

• Support volunteers and participate in the planning and design of community events and sessions;
• When necessary, facilitate sessions in the community/ team/ volunteer placements

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support volunteers to document their activities using provided tools;
• Collate evidence of impact from volunteers, young people in communities and community members;
• Support in the write up of a team activity plan and debrief, with input from volunteer team.

Action at Home

• Attend a two-day training weekend focusing on debrief and planning for Action at Home;
• Complete Action at Home, no later than 6 months after return from placement;
• Complete the Action at Home evaluation form and return to VSO ICS staff

Application Closing Date
1st August, 2014

Interview/Assessment date(s)
1

Start Date
1

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here to download the job description in PDF format