PARTNER: Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District Assembly (BABDA)
LOCATION: Bibiani, Western Region, Ghana
START DATE: September 2012 or as soon as possible
CONTRACT DURATION: 3+ months
AREA OF STUDY: Education, Water and Sanitation, Youth Development
DESCRIPTION:
Project Focus
The Bibiani Anhwiaso Bekwai District Development (BABDD) Project is designed to maximize contributions of mining operations for socio-economic benefits and sustainable development in the BAB District. The Project will contribute to the realization of the goals of the Medium Term Development Plan (MTDP) of BABDA , and also support progress towards achievement of the Millinium Development Goals (MDGs) in the following areas:
ü Deepening local level democracy;
ü Strengthening district level governance;
ü Accelerating decentralization and accountability; and
ü Local level development, empowerment and poverty reduction.
All the activities will be implemented in close collaboration and support of the District Assembly (DA) and Area Councils (ACs), and will focus on three thematic areas:
- Strengthening governance and service delivery;
- Improving the quality of education and school services;
- Supporting economic growth and job creation for the Youth.
Gender equality will be integrated into all Project activities.
Aims and Objetives of BABDDP
The main outcomes of the Project are the following:
- Enhanced governance and service delivery through improved knowledge coordination and capacity strengthening of District Assembly (DA) and Area Council (AC) staff.
- Strengthened education quality through teacher training, skills transfer and improved service availability in the target communities.
- Promoting economic growth and job creation through increased skills for employment for youth within the target communities.
History and Background
The initiative draws from the experience of WUSC and the BABDA having worked together on the Ghana Bauxite Company and the RTA- supported Kanaso School Project dating back from August 2008. Additionally, WUSC and BABDA have long been collaborating on the “Students without Boarders”(SWB) program which provides student interns support to organizations and BABDA itself.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
This student will spend part of their time assisting Program Coordinator in ensuring efficient and effective planning and execution of Project activities such as:
- Participate in the design, implementation and monitoring of project activities.
- Strengthening governance and service delivery through improved knowledge coordination and capacity strengthening of District Assembly and Area Councils (ACs).
- Supporting project staff in strengthening the quality of education through teacher training, SMC and PTA capacity building activities, skills transfer and improved service availability in the target communities.
- Assisting the PC and staff in strengthening economic growth and job creation through increased skills for employment for youth within the target communities; and
- Assist in promoting gender equality and mainstreaming into all project activities, including training of DA and AC officials, teachers, community members and youth entrepreneurs.
The main responsibilities surrounding the Program Assistant position for this short term placement will focus on:
- Environmental assessment: related to the water and sanitation component of the project.
- Local market surveys: for youth skills/entrepreneurship development.
- Communication support: letters, emails, website, facebook, etc.
- Documenting and promoting best practices and lessons learned: in programmatic activities within the targeted communities.
- Assist in the collection of relevant data: from the communities and compilation of reports.
- Logistical and operations support: Assisting with event planning and implementation of project activities. It will include working with partners (i.e.: schools, teachers, ACs the DA and community members etc) to organize details of events as well as assisting with meetings and training workshops. Providing support for boys and girls clubs.
- Undertake any other duties: as may be assigned by the project Coordinator from time to time.
NOTE: Additional equipment that would be beneficial for this placement includes a digital camera and laptop computer. The student is expected to provide their own equipment and internet modem, as they are not provided. It is also advised that the student take out insurance on these items.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Candidates should have:
- Be able to communicate fluently in English
- Have a tertiary level education in a related field especially in environmental studies
- Be flexible and be adaptable to new experiences and circumstances
- Have skills in community participatory and learning processes/techniques
- Experience and interest in: cross-cultural learning; international development,; and working children, additional skills in report writing and community relations would be an asset( Ideally having worked with rural communities and children through camps, schools, etc. ).
- Other: Driver's License and experience with Manual Transmission (or willingness to learn)
TO APPLY: Please send your C.V., letter of motivation and three letters of reference (including two academic references) to:
Students Without Borders™
World University Service of Canada (WUSC)
swb@wusc.ca
