March 2010

Dear Applicant

Research and Development Assistant/Intern

Thank you for the interest you have shown in Village Aid and the role of Research and DevelopmentAssistant/Intern. Wehope to receive an application from you.

Please find additional documents:

  • Job description and Person Specification
  • Application form and Equal opportunities form

Information on Village Aid can be found on

The closing date is 5pm, Wednesday14thApril. Applications (along with the equal opportunities monitoring form) must be returned by email to y the closing date.

This is a UK based post, and all applicants must ensure that they are eligible to work in the UK before applying.

Short listed candidates will be informed beforethe close of Wednesday 21stApril.

Yours faithfully,

James Atkins

Village Aid

Background information

Introduction

Village Aid is small international development charity based in Bakewell, Derbyshire. It is a registered UK charity and has been running programmes in West Africa since 1989. Village Aid is an innovative organisation, committed to the relief of poverty and the pursuit of well being for rural people in Africa by working in partnership with local groups.

Our vision:

“A world in which all people in Africa enjoy a peaceful society, a prosperous economy and a healthy environment”

Our mission:

Village Aid is an international development charity that empowers disadvantaged people in Africa to improve their own lives.

We achieve this by developing strong working relationships with local community based partners, supporting them to build their own capacity and to deliver grassroots programmes including:

  • Education and Learning
  • Securing Livelihoods
  • Advocacy and Justice

We recognise that success needs understanding and action from as many people as possible so in the UK we empower schools and their communities to engage with global issues through drama and participatory learning.

Our values:

Innovation – we encourage creativity and seek out people with ideas beyond our normal comfort zones.

Learning – we are committed to personal development and aim to learn from every experience.

Accountability – we behave in a professional way and report in a timely and transparent manner, we are honest when things go wrong.

Equalityand respect – we value all irrespective of differences. We actively listen to each other and work together even when we hold different views

Collaboration – we seek to work with others and to share our ideas and learning

Passion - we give our time and energy and at times go beyond our comfort zones and job descriptions

Village Aid Funding

Village Aid obtains funds from two main sources. The majority of funding is received as grants from funders such as DFID, Comic Relief, European Commission, Diana Memorial Trust etc.

Alongside this Village Aid have a large number of local supporters, the majority of which support us through standing orders and supporting events.

Currently there are significant changes in how major grants for international development are being distributed. More is being sent directly to NGOs in,and Governments of, developing countries. Whilst there are many positives to this it means grant funding to UK based NGOs, such as Village Aid, is likely to decrease. Village Aid therefore needs to increase donations received from the public in order to continue to change lives in the West African communities which we serve and support.

Village Aid is unique in being an International Development Agency based in the Peaks. As such it is well positioned to secure further local support from what is, in general terms, a wealthy area.

Under new leadership and structure since December 2009 Village Aid is looking to engage with supporters in new ways to overcome the challenges we face in the near future. This involves developing a major donor programme and a donor recruitment campaign alongside the existing events and community fundraising work.

The Research and Development Assistant/Intern role gives an opportunity for the post holder to support the organisation in the implementation of these initiatives. This will give the successful post holder an opportunity to rapidly develop a wide range of skills and make a real difference to some of the poorest communities in West Africa.

The Job Description and Person Specification outline the ideal experience and skills required. However even more important are a passion for changing lives in Africa, an ability to take the initiative and high levels of energy and stamina.

For more information on the work of Village Aid please visit