Volunteer role: Gender and Disability Inclusion Specialist

Location Myanmar
Application Closing Date
Interview date Between 18 -21 September 2023
Start date November 2023/ASAP
Mode of delivery Working at project location

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.

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.

The volunteer will provide technical support and guidance in project implementation and monitoring in responding to gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion in learning spaces and local communities. The volunteer will work with the project team in designing workshops and trainings to support with inclusive education resources to trainers, teachers, and education providers from partner organizations. Together with education coordinator, ensure to have active engagement and effective coordination with consortium partners, particularly with assigned partner organization. The volunteer will offer mentoring and coaching to support the partner staff implement training around gender and inclusion.

Ideal Applicant Summary

Knowledge/Experience:
• Knowledge of understanding disability inclusion and gender responsive programming in fragile context.
• Experience using Washington Group Questions and training in collecting data for the inclusion of person with disabilities.
• Proven ability in identifying the needs of the most marginalized girls and boys, including those with disabilities, and using their own voice to express their priorities.
• Familiarity with international frameworks and standards on gender equality, disability rights, and inclusive education, such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Have background in building community participation in emergency response.
• Fluent in Myanmar and English. Fluent in local language is an asset.

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, but will not be enough to send money home.

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 global development organisation. In 2021/22, more than 3 thousand people from all over the world volunteered with VSO to deliver services to over 8 million people in the 28 countries where we work. Our programmes focus on health, education and livelihoods, emphasising 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 40% of our people are recruited from within the country where 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.

If you’re interested in applying for this role, please download the job description for more information.

How to apply

Step 1

Complete the registration form below. When you have completed the form, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to our VSO Values self-assessment. This is a module designed to give you an insight into VSO’s ethos and provide you with an understanding of how your values align with ours, helping you to decide if you would like to join our organisation. The self-assessment module typically takes about 10 minutes to complete. 

Step 2

After completing the VSO Values self-assessment, you can opt out or proceed with the application process. You will need to upload your CV in Word or PDF format detailing your employment and educational history, and any volunteering experience. Please note that you will need to complete the full application form in one go as you cannot save it to fill at a later time.

Step 3

When you have submitted your application, you will receive an email inviting you to complete two assessments which focus on how you process information and what your work approach is. 

You will be shown instructions and example questions prior to the assessments to help you increase your familiarity with them. You will also have access to a short profile report on completion of the assessment. Your application will be reviewed by our Resourcing Team when you have completed these assessments. 

 

Should you require any adjustments to be made to the application process due to a disability or any other circumstances, please email us at Recruitment@vsoint.org to discuss your requirements. 

Step 1. Complete the registration form below

Data Protection

VSO will use the data you provide to assess your suitability for this role.  The data will be stored in line with our policies on the protection and security of data, which you can find on our website here https://www.vsointernational.org/about-us/legal/data-protection-and-privacy . These conform to UK data protection law.

Please note, VSO may transfer relevant data to any country where you may be placed, including countries where data protection laws may not apply or may be less stringent than in the European Economic Area.  For volunteer applications, we will need to pass your information to your host organisation, but will ensure that VSO continues to handle the information you have provided in accordance with our policies on data protection and security.

Do you agree with VSO's Data Protection and Data Privacy Policy?

VSO has zero tolerance of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable people. We expect all our employees/volunteers to ensure we protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm and abide by our safeguarding policy (PDF).

Know someone who would be amazing at this role?

If you know the perfect person for this opportunity, tell them about it here.

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share by email

A young man and young woman stand outside, conversing in Rwandan Sign Language
VSO/Mussa

Why volunteer?

Find out about the benefits to yourself and people in poverty.