Working at VSO

VSO is the world’s leading international non-governmental organisation that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone. In 2022/23, over 7,700 dedicated individuals from across the globe volunteered with VSO, bringing their abilities to support almost 11 million people in 35 countries.

Our work centres on those who are left out by society – those living in extreme poverty or with disability and illness. Those who face discrimination and violence because of their gender, sexuality, or social status. Those who are at risk from disaster, disease, and conflict.

But they are not passive beneficiaries of aid; they are the “primary actors” at the heart of our efforts. From their perspective, we define the issues, opportunities, and solutions that drive sustainable, local-led change. These individuals are the key agents of their own transformation.

Role Overview Summary

The volunteer will provide support and capacity building at the country level and to VSO staff, consortium partners and other collaborating partners to enable them to: 1. gain skills and knowledge in social accountability relevant to the needs of the Intersectionality Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights programme; 2. Develop tools for undertaking social accountability activities within the programme; 3. Raise awareness and promote dialogue among different stakeholders to respond to the needs and priorities of vulnerable youth with compounded vulnerabilities across the programme; and, 4. To engage and mobilize vulnerable youth groups to lead their own advocacy agendas.

Ideal Applicant Summary

Qualifications

• At least a bachelor’s degree in a related subject preferably Policy, Political Science, Law, Gender, or Development studies.

Experience

• At least three years’ experience in social accountability, advocacy, and policy space as well as developing responses to SRHR issues in a development context.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively convene, coordinate and communicate with a diverse range of stakeholders and identifying their needs and using their own voice to express their priorities.
• Strong background in participatory community consultation.
• Experienced in designing and delivering community consultation programmes.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written and communication skills especially when explaining complex concepts to audiences of different levels.
• Proven ability to train, coach and supervise others.

Skills/Abilities

• Building and sustaining working relationships: foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal.
• Open-minded and respectful: a non-judgmental approach that values other people and culture.
• Seeking and sharing knowledge: recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process.
• Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills.
• Facilitating positive change: the ability to analyze problems and develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches.
• Adaptability: a flexible approach and the ability to adapt behavior to different situations.
• Resilience: the self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people, and ambiguity

People with a lived experience of marginalization based on their identities (gender, race, ability, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, etc.) are encouraged to apply.

Competencies and Behaviour

At VSO We Believe Progress Is Only Possible By Working Together. Whether You Want To Join Us As An Employee, Or As a Volunteer Working In Your Own Country, Overseas Or Online, Our Selection Process Includes An Assessment Based On These Core Competencies

• Ability to be open minded and respectful
• Ability to be resilient and adaptive to new situations
• Ability to facilitate positive change and build sustainable working relationships
• Ability to seek and share knowledge

Equal Opportunities

VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce

Equal Opportunities: VSO promotes equal opportunities and values a diverse workforce.

VSO reserves the right to close this job early if we receive a sufficient number of applications.

VSO is the world's leading development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty. We are unique in the way we bring people together to share their skills and experience, generate insights and ideas and, most of all, take action against poverty and exclusion. It's a highly effective approach that works, and today is helping millions of people in some of the world's poorest communities lift themselves out of poverty.