The role of Volunteer Coordination and Logistics Officer offers the right candidate a unique and exciting opportunity to work across both office and field environments providing planning, logistical and pastoral support to all of SEED Madagascar’s international staff and volunteers. The officer will work alongside both local and International staff based in the town of Fort Dauphin, and also spend some time in the field in basic rural conditions in the beautiful area of Anosy, southeast Madagascar.
Duties and Responsibilities
International Staff
● Provide pre-departure logistical support and advice with visas, hotels, flights, accommodation, medication etc.
● Lead on the management and tracking of all logistics for incoming international staff
● Lead on supporting international staff during their initial time with SEED including arrival, orientation, social inclusion, housing and any other issues
● Support international staff with ongoing logistical issues, such as visa renewals, sickness, and housing
● Assist with the recruitment of international staff, including primary responsibility for managing the advertisement of vacancies
● Maintain all international staff databases
● Responsibility for reviewing and updating procedures and documentation relating to the onboarding of international staff
● Work alongside line managers to smoothly integrate new members into the team
● Complete ad hoc tasks related to logistics as needed by International Operations Manager
Short-term Volunteers
● Work alongside the London and Madagascar based teams to provide support to volunteers prior to coming to Madagascar
● Support welcome talks, orientation talks and activity briefings to ensure volunteers are fully informed about project work, local culture etc.
● Maintain, review and update all volunteering information including orientation guide, orientation talks and all documentation in the coordinator’s file
● Lead on social media content for the volunteering programme including volunteer blog and collation of photographs and video
● Work alongside London team in promoting and marketing the volunteering programme
● Lead on logistics and support for student groups both pre arrival and whilst in the field
● Lead on the collection, analysis and dissemination of feedback from the volunteer programme
● Ensure all handbooks, procedures and risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated
● Support volunteers to settle in and work in the field placements to ensure successful communication between volunteers, project teams, guides Acting as a liaison between field-based and office-based volunteer teams, coordinating and assisting with all logistics, responding to all issues that arise in the field
● Liaise with Research Team to ensure support and care is provided to manage and maintain the physical and psychological welfare of volunteers
● Provide guidance and intervention to ensure all staff and volunteers act in a positive culturally and environmentally sensitive way
Person Specification
● Experience of volunteering, abroad or in a developing country is desirable
● Have excellent communication skills
● Have excellent MS office skills and be comfortable using G-suite programmes
● Be fluent in English, although French language is not required, it would be an advantage
● Be patient and understanding when dealing with concerns
● Be comfortable living and working in rural, basic conditions when in the field
● Have the ability and desire to build capacity across cultures, working with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple language barriers
● Possess an open mind and the ability to form good relationships both internally and externally with a variety of social groups, including excellent listening and verbal communication skills and a flexible and patient attitude
● Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s ethos and approach and be a good ambassador for the organisation at all times
● Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEEDs policies and procedures, safeguarding those that SEED works with and reporting any concerns appropriately
● Demonstrate the ability, social skills and confidence to give clear guidance and support to other members of the team in respect of the philosophy and procedures of SEED in order to protect both their safety and the reputation of the NGO
● Be punctual and be able to work to tight deadlines in an organised manner and to a high standard
● Be able to work both independently and as part of a team
● Have passion, curiosity and motivation for the job while working in an honest and trustworthy manner.
Practicalities
● Be able to financially support yourself for the duration of the contract
● Hold a first aid certificate
● Have a clear DBS check
● Have a suitable laptop computer and tent
How to apply
Interested applicants should send a CV and a cover letter outlining how their skills and experience match the requirements in the role description criteria and detailing why they wish to be considered for this post to Ellie Kearns by email on [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Long-listed applicants will have an initial informal chat with Madagascar based staff and short-listed applicants will then be offered a face-to-face interview with the London team in person.
More Information
- Job City Fort Dauphin
