Voluntary Service Overseas Writer’s workshop coordinator

A short term volunteering opportunity for an experience publishing professional with experience in creative writing and working with the education sector. 6 months, based in Kigali, Rwanda.

Background VSO is working with the Rwanda Education Development Centre (EDC) to deliver a project to improve literacy and numeracy in Rwanda. Part of this involves ensuring that there are sufficient non-textbook materials in schools to assist children’s learning, particularly with literacy development. There are relatively few non-textbook materials currently available to schools. Volunteering as the Writer’s workshop coordinator, you will work alongside the curriculum department of the Rwanda Education Board (REB), international development partners, publishers and EDC technical staff to address this issue.

What does the role involve? Based with the Rwanda Education Board (REB) and working with the Education Development Centre (EDC), you will: • develop and implement a rollout plan for the successful expansion of the Writer’s Workshop Initiative • identify a group of facilitators for the Writers’ Workshop and organize their training sessions • develop costing formula and plan for the organization of a Writer’s Workshop, and identify funding • organize the distribution of facilitator materials and, if necessary, the revision of the facilitator’s kit based on feedback from facilitators. Quarterly reports on these workshops need to be organized. • support the editing of the “best products” from the different Writer’s workshops • put together a virtual community of editors (one Kinyarwanda, one English) willing to do on-line editing of some of the best products from the different workshops and provide training • coordinate the illustrating, desktop publishing, printing and distribution of “best products” from the Writer’s Workshops • develop a budgeted-recovery plan to support and cover the cost of the illustrating, desktop publishing, printing and distribution of “best products” from the Writer’s Workshops • participate in and support ‘Rwanda Reads Taskforce’ activities to support the development of a culture of reading.

Skills, qualifications and experience required You’ll need to have a relevant degree for this role that could be from publishing, or from an education background. You’ll have proven skills in creative writing and experience in publishing and an understanding of the publishing process/industry. Knowledge of processes establishing public/private or public/public partnerships would be ideal. An ability to develop budgeted strategic plans and retain an overview to coordinate a wide range of activities in collaboration with others is required. You’ll be a flexible and adaptable person, with excellent communication skills and the ability to train and mentor others. You’ll be a good collaborator and the ability to keep stakeholders informed.

And the rest.... You’ll be based in the capital, Kigali, which has good facilities including frequent reliable public transport. Kigali is a small, attractive city offering superb views over hills and valleys and the intensively cultivated and terraced countryside beyond. The accommodation will be simple and based near to the workplace. English, French and Kinyarwanda are the official languages and basic local language training will be provided. We’ll ask you to commit to at least 6 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll support you to resettle.

How to apply:

To find out more about volunteering with VSO or to apply go to http://www.vsointernational.org/volunteer/and quote RWA0337/0006/0001. On average it takes a minimum of 4 months to go through the application process, so apply now for 2013 departure.