Volunteer Coordinator Program Manager

Deadline: Until filled

Location: Nai Soi, Thailand

Organization: Karenni Social Development Center

Karenni Social Development Center (KSDC) is a Community Based Organization (CBO) established in 2002 by refugees and graduates of the Earthrights School Burma. The vision of the Social Development Center is to improve the lives of the Karenni people who have suffered human rights abuses. 

KSDC trains and educates future activists, advocates, and young people who will go on to be leaders in and improve the capacity of their community. The organization aims to promote non-violent social change in an effort to build a new society, develop the rule of law, and educate the community about the protection and preservation of the environment. KSDC's training program aims to spread knowledge and skills regarding human rights, democracy, environment, and the rule of law amongst the Karenni and wider community in the refugee camps along the Thai-Myanmar border area. 

The students that come to KSDC are engaged, curious and come here specifically because they have an interest in human rights and democracy and would like to help their community, as well as tackle the issues that are present in the part of Myanmar that they are from (land confiscations, environmental degradation as a result of unregulated industrialization, deforestation). 

The Position

We are looking for a qualified individual to support our program. The position is voluntary and unpaid but offer valuable experience in a friendly and flexible atmosphere. Half the position is the role of a volunteer coordinator while, the other half involves managing the educational program of the organization. All the volunteers and students board at the school. Three meals a day are prepared by the students and the volunteers gets a private room and workspace. There is internet connection available. The Program manager/ Volunteer coordinator also gets a small and modest stipend every month. 

Responsiblities 

• Organizational support by performing administrative tasks related to the running of the organisation, running errands, and assisting the school’s principal (this usually involves help with emails, writing  grant/funding proposals, and reports)
• Some media work (regularly update social media (facebook/twitter), produce a monthly newsletter that’s published on KSDC’s website) 
• Lead a group of 2 other international interns by running weekly meetings, coordinating group efforts, assigning work if necessary, and cooperate in teaching activities
• Recruit and manage volunteers for future teaching roles 
• Oversee the educational activities (this includes English ESL), keeping the curriculum
• organized, and keeping track of educational and course goals

Qualifications and Attributes

• University level educated. Undergraduate or Masters (We are prepared make exceptions for those with unconventional academic careers/ paths. Provided they are the right candidate with the right level of experience) 
• TEFL Certification would be ideal, but experience is preferred
• Significant experience managing and leading a team, either professionally or within an academic setting 
• We require a tremendous amount of responsibility and dedication, as well as sensitivity to the cultural and political context that the organization is situated in. 
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to manage own time
• Strong inter-cultural communication skills, verbal, and written 
• Ability to write reports and grant proposal 
• Patience, curiosity, and willingness to engage in the KSDC community and the wider local and refugee community 

Duration and Start Date

Starting Early to Mid-May 2016 (we are flexible with exact dates). Ideally a year,but we require a minimum commitment of six months for this role. This is for two reasons. We believe in the principle that longer term volunteering within the non-profit sector is the only way to make an impact and a real contribution to communities. 

Our main program “The Advanced community course” runs from June until December. Being present for this entire duration is important, for the program, the students and for yourself. Long term volunteering also allows for the building of relationships and embedding of oneself into the school and community. 

We also think that because of the unique context of the work that SDC does and the context of the refugee camp, the status of the refugees in Thailand, it takes at least 2 to 3 months to start to understand and to get to grips with the complexities of the situation and the community. It is with length and commitment that truly meaningful and impactful contributions can begin to happen and bear fruit. 

Benefits 

The position is unpaid and voluntary but in return for your time you get:

• An organization and community that is interesting and offers valuable experience for learning about the political issues surrounding Myanmar, refugee affairs/rights, and the status of refugees 
• Opportunity to develop and hone your skills and knowledge about community-based organisations in a collaborative, supportive and friendly environment Our long term volunteers get financial support and help with their visa (because we are an unregistered CBO we cannot provide visas but we can make special arrangements should you decide to extend your contract past the 6-month requirement. 
• Private room, with bed, blankets and mosquito net 
• 3 meals a day cooked and prepared by students 
• Electricity and internet connection (Wifi/ Ethernet) 
• Teachers’ common room and work space 

How to apply:

Please send a CV and Cover letter to officesdc@yahoo.com . We will also require two references.