Teacher Trainer at Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO)

Voluntary Services Overseas (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.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Teacher Trainer

Location: Kwara
Contract Duration: 12 Months

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.

Application Closing Date
1st October, 2015.

Interview/Assessment date(s)
TBC

Start date
TBC

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here for more information (PDF Format)