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.

 

Role Overview

The purpose of this role is to advise and provide support in embedding disability and inclusion strategies for the Delivering Equitable and Sustainable Increases in Family Planning (DESIP) project in the focus counties. The objective of the DESIP project is to increase more equitable and sustainable access to modern contraceptives in Kenya, specifically for up to 322,000 additional users, with a focus on adolescents, people with disabilities and poor rural women in Kenya. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to promote universal sexual and reproductive health and rights, the programme also seeks to contribute to a world in which every mother can enjoy a wanted and healthy pregnancy and childbirth, every child can survive beyond their fifth birthday, and every woman, child and adolescent can thrive to realize their full potential, resulting in enormous social, demographic and economic benefits. The programme is expected to ensure that women are able to safely plan their pregnancies and improve their sexual and reproductive health, particularly the young and marginalized.

Skills, Qualifications And Experience

Essential criteria (must have to be able to carry out the role successfully)

Knowledge/qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health or Social Sciences with relevant related field or equivalent experience
• Good command of ICT skills especially MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Office Outlook.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience of disability inclusion
• Experience in conducting capacity strengthening activities to various audiences
• Experience in advocating for inclusive service delivery on social services and health including family planning and sexual reproductive health.
• Possession of strong written and communication skills needed for writing reports, publicity materials and corresponding with a wide range of stakeholders.

Skills/Abilities

• Skills and ability to employ various techniques in facilitating trainings to consortium partners, Ministry of Health and other key stakeholders in consideration of audience diversity and sensitivity.
• Ability to travel to other counties to deliver project activities
• Ability to work as part of a team in an organized and flexible approach
• Ability to manage and ensure good stewardship of organization resources

Desirable Criteria: (skills that could be an advantage in the role)

Knowledge/qualifications

• Knowledge of social inclusion as relates to gender, people with disabilities & other marginalized groups.
• Knowledge and experience of good practices on inclusion of people with disabilities in sexual and reproductive health and family planning programmes.

Experience

• Experience in implementing public health interventions but more so Family Planning and Sexual Reproductive Health, specifically for women and persons with disabilities.
• Experience working with the government institutions or parastatals

Skills/Abilities

• Sound technical knowledge of tools such as The Washington Group short set of questions, and other assessment tools relevant to work on disability.

Competencies and Behaviour

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

At VSO we believe progress is only possible by working together.

• 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. 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.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified? Go to Volunteer Service Overseas (VSO) career website on www.vsointernational.org to apply