National Volunteer for Inclusive Education - Sign Language at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)

Voluntary Service 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 below:

Job Title: National Volunteer for Inclusive Education - Sign Language

Location: Nigeria
Responsible to:Project officers (FMoe) / Education Programme Manager
Start date: 1st April 2024
Mode of delivery: Working at project location

Role overview

• Working at project location - In this role, you will provide on-site support in the project location and/or VSO office, (full-time unless otherwise specified) for a set period of time.
• If you are a sign language teacher/trainer and want to work with schools and local communities to support improving parental and community engagement in the education of children with auditory and language processing disabilities the role is for you.

Purpose

• To coordinate and support the identification and learning of children in and out of schools in early years Living with Disabilities in selected schools across 12 states in Nigeria.
• Introducing and establishing the teaching of Sign Language in a regular school and local community level to support of the learning of children that are identified as marginalized.
• Improving parental and community engagement in the education of children with auditory and language processing disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Support piloting of education technology program in Western Rural Districts and training of teacher on the use Sign Language and supporting the teaching of Sign Language in Classroom with focus on children with auditory learning disorder (ALD) and language processing disorder (LPD)
• Provide support on improving quality of learning for children with learning disabilities ( ALD& LPD)  on numeracy and literacy.
• Provide professional skills for interpreting and teaching sign language to non-sign language users.
• Support and work closely with teachers, volunteers, school parents and guardians to improve learning outcome of Children LWD ( ALD& LPD) that  in schools.
• Provide support and mentorship to teachers in the use of teachers’ tool kits for early learners living with ALD & LPD from Primary 1-6 coordinate participation of parents/guardians and community stakeholders to identify and support activities that contribute to quality inclusive education of children with auditory learning disorder ( ALD) and language processing disorder (LPD)
• Support sensitisation and awareness creation in communities and schools for increased access forChildren with Learning Disabilities to quality inclusive education.
• Support the collection and use of data as baseline for generating reports on program progress and learning.
• Collate and provide monthly, quarterly and annual report of field activities to program lead.
• Report to both the VSO Education Program manager and relevant state stakeholders on implementation of activities.

Collaboration Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with local educational institutions and technology providers to implement the education technology program.
• Work closely with specialized trainers and educators to train teachers in Sign Language and its integration into classrooms.
• Collaborate with educational experts and organizations focusing on auditory learning disorder (ALD) and language processing disorder (LPD) to ensure effective teaching methodologies.
• Collaborate with head teachers and education administrators to provide conducive and safe learning environment for children with learning disabilities ( ALD& LPD)
• Work with other VSO teams in creating awareness at Districts and National level on improving access to quality education to marginalised children with focus on children LWD ( ALD +LPD).

Competence Required
Essential:

• Must have a demonstrated skills to interpret and communicate using sign language.
• With at least a National Certificate in Education (NCE) or qualification related to education.
• Practical experience working with children, preferably of children in early primary school stage (Primary 1-3) is of great advantage.
• A good level of written Englishand excellent interpersonal skills and able to work with a range of people in different roles and with different backgrounds and levels of knowledge and experience.
• Able to work with minimal supervision, taking initiative and taking responsibility for results.  
• A commitment to supporting educational improvement of children leaving with disabilities and to work on the programme for 8 weeks to maximize their learning about effective programme delivery and change-management.

Desirable:

• Training and teaching of Sign Language
• Training and/or mentoring experience preferably in education.
• Data collection and project monitoring experience.
• Good working ICT skills in particular good knowledge of using tablets, smartphones and computers for data collection.
• Experience of training, supporting and mentoring other.

Ideal Applicant Summary:
Competencies and Behaviour:

At VSO we believe progress is only possible by working together. Whether you want to join us as an employee, or as a volunteer working in your own country, overseas or online, our selection process includes an assessment based on these core competencies:

• Ability to be open minded and respectful
• Ability to be resilient and adaptive to new situations
• Ability to facilitate positive change and build sustainable working relationships
• Ability to seek and share knowledge.

Remuneration
Allowance:

• As a VSO volunteer, you will be sharing your skills with local communities on a full time basis.
• VSO will cover your travel, vaccinations, accommodation, and medical insurance costs, along with a local living allowance which will be paid in local currency.
• This allowance meets reasonable living expenses in country, but will not be enough to send money home.
• You will also receive some financial support to contribute to your on-going expenses at home.

Accommodation:

• VSO works with some of the poorest communities in the world which means accommodation varies and will be basic.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

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

Note

• Equal Opportunities: VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.
• Safeguarding level: VSO has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people.
• We will expect all our employees/ volunteers to commit to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy.