Teacher educator ( Volunteer) – VSO Uganda

VSO is the world’s leading international development charity that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone. At VSO we pride ourselves on doing development differently. We fight poverty not by sending aid, but by working through volunteers and partners to create long-lasting change in some of the world’s poorest regions. We bring key stakeholders together to co-ordinate collective action, from local organisations to national governments. Our programmes in Africa and Asia focus on health, education and livelihoods, with an increasing emphasis on resilience, peace building, social accountability, gender and social inclusion. We’re not about delivering quick fixes, but instead we focus on long-lasting, sustainable change that will improve the lives of generations to come.

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.

In collaboration with the District Education Office and the CPTC train, mentor and coach teachers, head teachers and deputy head teachers in early grade teaching methodology and strengthen capacity school governance structures that facilitates improvement of learning achievements in literacy and numeracy

Responsibilities
• In coordination with the District Education Office and CCTs, conduct training workshops for teachers and Head teachers o teaching methodologies for early grade literacy; development and use of reading and numeracy materials for early grade teaching; remedial classes, VACiS and Psychosocial support
• In partnership with the District Education Office and CPTC, coordinate training plans, develop training con-tent and training materials;
• Brief District Education Officers on the project and keep them up to date on progress to ensure their participation in project implementation
• Mentor and coach teachers in early grade literacy and numeracy teaching, through materials development and continuous assessment
• In coordination with the District Education Office and CCTs, support continuity of learning through home-based learning
• Train, mentor and coach SMCs on roles and responsibilities to ensure functionality at school level and as well support school reopening processes.
• Conduct support supervision exercises of Head teachers, deputy head teachers and teachers including periodic lesson observations in the classroom at least three times in a term (beginning, mid and end of term).
• Conducted community engagement meetings on the value of education, role of parents in their children’s education and in supporting of reopening of school processes
• Support cluster school review meetings together with CCTs.
• Together with the rest of the project team, participate in project monitoring, review, evaluation and dis-semination of learning.
• In coordination with the project team, participate in the development of project quarterly work plans, reports and documentation of learnings

Essential selection criteria
Knowledge/qualifications:
– Bachelor’s degree in Education, Teacher Education or related discipline
– Knowledge and understanding of teacher education system and teacher policies in the Ugandan context

Experience:
– Minimum 5 years’ experience in the field of education especially working as a teacher educator to build teacher capacity is a must
– Experience working with different structures at National, district/ lower governance structures.
– Previous experience implementing a teacher development focused project will be an added advantage

Skills/Abilities:
• Open Minded and Respectful: A non-judgmental 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 analyze 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.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Excellent oral and written English language skills
• Facilitation, training and mentoring skills
• Basic computing skills

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

Equal Opportunities

VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

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.

Accommodation

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

Some background about VSO

Much has changed since VSO started 60 years ago. We’ve gone from being a UK charity to a truly global development organisation. In 2016/2017 alone, we worked with over 7,000 volunteers from all over the world and from all backgrounds to deliver services that had an impact on the lives of almost 2.6 million people in the 24 countries where we work. Our programmes focus on the areas of health, education and livelihoods, with an increasing emphasis on resilience building, social accountability, gender and social inclusion. We believe progress is only possible when we work together and that strong partnerships are crucial to delivering positive change. That’s why we work with over 500 partner organisations, from local and national governments, to businesses, NGOs, funders, charities and community groups. Currently, over 30% of our people are recruited from within the country in which they work, and we continue to grow the share of community and national volunteers involved in our programmes. We also send increasing numbers of volunteers from one developing country to another. However, our vision has remained the same; to build a world without poverty.

Once you’re ready to apply, click on ‘make an application’ below to complete the online form.

VSO will review applications on a rolling basis and reserves the right to close the process before the advertised closing date.