Xavier
Project
Job
Vacancy: Education Project Assistant
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Salary: 40,000 – 50,000 per month (depending on experience of the
applicant)
Answers
to: Xavier
Project Kenya Education Director
Profile: Xavier Project is an international NGO working Kenya and
Uganda.
Xavier
Project is primarily an education focused NGO, and while we have media and
livelihoods programmes educational interventions make up the core of our
activities within these programmes.
Xavier
Project is registered as a local NGO in Uganda, an international NGO in Kenya
and a company and charity in UK. All operations are in Kenya and Uganda, but a
majority of funds are raised in UK.
We
have a three way partnership agreement between the branches of Xavier Project
and one executive team primarily based in the Xavier Project headquarters in
Nairobi.
Xavier
Project currently employs 20 permanent staff and has an annual income of
$350,000 which has been increasing by 50% every year since its founding in
2008.
Background: Urban refugees in East Africa face unique challenges.
Culturally, it is difficult to assimilate into their new communities as they
can be victims of xenophobia and can struggle from language differences. They
cannot easily find jobs in a saturated and often nepotistic job market.
There
are administrative barriers to economic sustainability such as the challenge of
obtaining work permits, and the rejection of foreign qualifications from
employers and institutions.
At
present many refugees in Nairobi or Kampala do not have access to quality,
relevant education delivered in a safe environment and their opportunities in
education lag behind those of their local counterparts.
In
both Kampala and Nairobi there are over 10,000 refugee children who are not in
formal education, amounting to around 50% in Nairobi and 60% in Kampala. 80% of
those in formal education are not happy with the quality of the education they
are receiving.
Added to this, most urban refugees are hoping to be resettled in developed countries, yet they know very little about the resettlement process, and their chances of being resettled. Less that 5% of urban refugees are resettled in any given year.
Added to this, most urban refugees are hoping to be resettled in developed countries, yet they know very little about the resettlement process, and their chances of being resettled. Less that 5% of urban refugees are resettled in any given year.
Many
refugees believe that the more vulnerable they are, or appear to be, the more
likely their chances are of being resettled.
The
pursuit of resettlement combined with the unique challenges faced by refugees
leads to a negative attitude by refugees towards integration into their new community.
This has a corrosive impact on the whole community.
However,
there are positive opportunities for refugees to take up in Kampala and
Nairobi, whether offered by the government, NGO agencies or refugee run
grass-roots organisations.
Given
their chances of resettlement it makes sense for refugees to make the most of
the opportunities available to them in their host countries, such as education,
livelihoods and vocational prospects offered by agencies.
What
is more, a more positive attitude and better communication among the refugee
population should lead to vital innovation from refugees themselves.
Tamuka
media programme is educating refugees on the opportunities available to them
and enabling them to communicate with each other and the wider world.
Among
other ambitions, the education programme is enabling refugees to receive an
education that is more relevant to their challenges and their ambitions.
Meanwhile,
our livelihoods programme is enabling refugees to access affordable loans and
learn the business skills they need to grow their careers.
Job
Description and Expectations
Xavier Project is looking for Education Project Assistant who will oversee the implementation of a project targeting 29 refugee students’ athletes who will represent refugees at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Xavier Project is looking for Education Project Assistant who will oversee the implementation of a project targeting 29 refugee students’ athletes who will represent refugees at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
This
project is made possible through the support of UNHCR, Tegla Lourupe Peace
Foundation and the IOC.
The
job functions of the Education Project assistant will include but not limited
to:
- Facilitating
payment of the athletes levies and stipends
- Managing
Xavier Project relationship with schools that the athletes attend
- Assessing
the progress of the students
- Arranging
the distribution of uniforms and other school requirements.
- Keeping
a written record of activities and contact with students and schools.
- Any
other tasks assigned by the Education Director.
Requirements
Essential:
- Bachelor’s
degree in a relevant discipline
- Experience
in physical education
- At
least 2 years’ experience in either project management, communications,
field work, in the NGO or education sector
- Excellent
communication skills in English (both written and oral)
- Good
knowledge of MS Office
- Ability
to work sensitively with refugee population or demonstrated experience
working with marginalised communities
- Excellent
organisational skills
- Experience
in managing budgets
Desired:
- Bachelor’s
degree in Education with a minor in Physical Education
- Competent
in Kiswahili
- Experience
in managing people from various backgrounds
- Experience
working in a tough environment with vulnerable people
- Knowledge
of the Kenyan education sector
- Experience
in writing reports and strategies
- Experience
in government and private sector engagement
- Strong
understanding of the challenges faced by urban refugees
Expectations
of Xavier Project
The
Xavier Project staff is a small and tight community and a strong support
network is offered to all members. We are diverse and relatively young crowd
representing seven nationalities.
Xavier
Project is committed to ensuring that all staff members enjoy their work
and gain valuable experience and skills that will enhance their impact
now and in the future, whether with Xavier Project or not.
As
such as we run regular staff capacity building programmes and encourage all
staff members to pursue opportunities which will help them to grow
individually.
Applications
Applications
Candidates interested in applying for this job should send their CV and a covering letter to jobs@xavierproject.org by 1st July2016
Applicants
are urged to apply as soon as they can and not wait until the deadline if
possible.
The
covering letter should be no more than one side of A4 and should describe the
suitability of the candidate for the job as well as including reasons why
working for Xavier Project interests them.
Candidates
should use email title EDUCATION PROJECT ASSISTANT.
Please
also include the names and contact details of two referees.
Only
Short-listed candidates will be contacted.
