VMM Projects Officer

VMM OVERSEAS PROGRAMME OFFICER

The Overseas Programme Officer will work within VMM’s European General Office (based in Liverpool). S/he will be responsible for co-ordinating significant elements of VMM’s Overseas Programme from recruitment, placement and support while overseas and will be Line Managed by the Overseas Programme Manager.

The job will include:

1. Supporting the Pre-departure Process for Volunteers

·  Supporting the Overseas Programme Manager in matching of volunteers with placements

·  Briefing VMs recruited by the Regional Offices in the UK with regards to their job description, milestones, VM Handbook, VMM Agreement, policies and procedures, placement information and partner information

·  Confirming all pre-departure documentation requirements are fulfilled prior to confirmation of placement, e.g. police clearance, medical check-up, vaccinations, etc.

·  Supporting VMM colleagues in facilitating the VMM Orientation Course for VMs pre-departure including the development of materials and sessions.

·  Co-ordinating the logistics linked to placements such as applications for work permits, booking international flights, etc.

·  Providing volunteers with the Final Pre-departure Pack which includes items such as the Signed Agreement, Identification Card, etc.

2. Donor and Partner Liaison:

·  Liaising with Partners in the UK and Overseas

·  Preparing documentation to Partners for support of volunteer placements

·  Supporting the Overseas Programme Manager in developing funding proposals and reports to existing funding bodies and organisations

·  Developing the existing UK Donor database and accessing funding through new donors.

3. Overseas Programme Support

·  Arranging the logistics of overseas consultancies to visit volunteers, projects and Partners.

·  Submitting progress reports to the VMM Overseas Programme Manager.

·  Supporting the General Office in liaising with Partners with regards to requests for personnel, funding support and staff training.

·  Assessing requests and funding applications received from Partners in consultation with the Overseas Programme Office.

·  Inputting data on a daily basis into the relevant overseas databases and the monitoring & evaluation database

·  Dealing with any emergencies that occur overseas in conjunction with Management.

·  Responding to volunteers overseas in a timely manner using email, phone and Skype in consultation with the Overseas Programme Manager.

·  Contacting volunteers overseas on a regular basis on a programme and pastoral level

·  Updating volunteers overseas with regards to feedback on their reports and additional communications received from our office

·  Negotiating contractual conditions for volunteers in their placement overseas and ensuring that they are maintained.

·  Researching new projects and assessing them against VMM project criteria.

·  Assisting with the development of better practice in policy and procedure within VMM’s development programme.

4. Debriefing

·  Providing volunteers with the VMM Coming Home Pack 3 months prior to return home

·  Engagement with VMM regional offices, bodies and organisations at home with regards to possible volunteering and paid roles within their organisations for the volunteer returning home

·  Facilitating an operational and personal debriefing of volunteers on their return to the UK and submission of reports to the CEO and Overseas Programme Manager

5. General Administration and Communication

·  Liaison with the VMM Regional Offices regarding recruitment and advertisements.

·  Keeping relevant VMM Regional Offices informed of matters concerning personnel overseas as they arise.

·  Liaison and networking with other organisations with similar or related activities.

6. Other Duties

·  Participating in the shared responsibility of the General Office e.g. editing the VMM VOX magazine, VMM Annual Reports, facilitating staff meetings, contributing to the development of the upcoming VMM Strategic Framework, etc., as required.

·  Participate in one-to-one support meetings with the VMM Overseas Programme Manager in Ireland and the UK.

·  This position may include other duties as designated by the Overseas Programme Manager or CEO.

·  There will be a requirement to attend for in-service training from time to time, this may be in Ireland, England/Wales or Scotland.

Person Specification

Education:

Essential Sound educational background

Desirable Evidence of completion of courses in Development / Peace and Justice issues

Experience:

Essential Work experience in an overseas context

Desirable Work as a volunteer overseas particularly in Africa;

Work in development / mission

Skills:

Essential Good analytical and personal skills

Proven ability to initiate and organise own work

Strong oral and written communication skills

Good administrative skills

Excellent internet and computer skills (word, excel, power point, Google docs, etc.)

Desirable Basic skills in counselling and negotiation

Current drivers licence

Commitment:

Essential Commitment to Christian values in sympathy with the purpose and ethos of VMM

A commitment to social justice

Willingness to work unsociable hours as required

Willingness to undertake extended trips overseas as needed

Personal Qualities:

Essential An articulated spirituality

Good communicator

Able to get on well with people from a variety of cultures and backgrounds

Able to work under pressure

Able to work on one’s own and as part of a team

Flexible

Knowledge:

Essential Understanding of development issues

Knowledge of volunteering

Desirable Knowledge of East African general situation.