The EU Aid Volunteers is an initiative of the European Union. It brings together volunteers and organisations from different countries, providing practical support to humanitarian aid projects and contributing to strengthening the local capacity and resilience of disaster-affected communities. Participants in the EU Aid Volunteers initiative must be over 18 years of age and be a citizen of an EU Member State or a long-term resident in the EU.
Assignment
Description
This project is led by Alianza por la Solidaridad-Actionaid, in the framework of a consortium that brings together 21 organisations. Alianza por la Solidaridad, We World GVC, and Actionaid Hellas act as Sending Organisations; the Hosting Organisations will welcome volunteers in 14 countries of Latin America & Caribbean (Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Guatemala, Cuba, Haiti), Africa (Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco), Middle East (Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon) and Asia.
For the present vacancy, Actionaid Hellas will act as Sending Organisation and ActionAid Kenya will be the Hosting Organisation. None of them are faith-based organisations.
ActionAid Hellas has been operating since 1998 in Greece as affiliate of ActionAid federation and has been building bridges of solidarity ever since between our Greek supporters and the most marginalized people of our world. It supports our fellow citizens who experience social and economic exclusion through its work at the Centre, a multi-purpose facility bringing action and change to the City of Athens, implements educational programmes in which thousands of pupils participate every year, carries out information and awareness campaigns on social exclusion and xenophobia, and responds to the refugee crisis.Operational details & security context
The volunteer will be hosted/based at AAIK field offices in Makima LRP supporting the LRP Coordinator in coordinating the implementation of water and sanitation initiatives aimed at improving access to water and hygiene promotion for communities in Makima as well as addressing women unpaid care work related to water access.
Makima LRP is in Mbeere South sub-county, Embu County in the eastern region of Kenya. It is a water stressed area due to its semi-arid nature with very few permanent rivers in the area. The area frequently experiences food shortages as a result of drought. AAIK and partners work around ecosystem restoration, policy, advocacy and support to community led farmers in order to achieve natural and assisted regeneration of the natural resources.
Kenya is a relatively peaceful country and people are very friendly and hospitable. However, sporadic attacks/ terrorism happen in the North East and Coast Counties and staff and visitors are advised to exercise caution in these regions. Foreigners may be targeted due to believe that they are always carrying money and valuables but at times simply because they over-expose themselves. While anyone can be a target for crime, integrating with the local communities and following simple guidelines helps reduce the risk. Always exercise high degree of common sense and integrity.
SECURITY CONTEXT
Protests & Demonstrations
Large public gatherings and demonstrations occur from time to time and are often well publicised. Unless you wish to partake in any demo or protest, you can easily avoid them by steering clear of the affected routes. Local media, your host and the Security Focal Person are good sources of information for any relevant event.
Terrorism
There is a risk of terrorism in Kenya. Attacks may target Kenyan government and other public institutions, but could also target places frequented by foreigners such as hotels, bars, shopping malls, places of worship, educational institutions, etc.
If you wish to visit a public place, mall, restaurant, movie, theatre etc. it’s highly advised to check with your host and ascertain if the place, time and routes are safe. You will notice people moving around in their daily life comfortably and having fun, so there is no need to be stressed, just be cautious and careful. It’s recommended to ask someone when in doubt. Your host and the Security Focal Person (SFP) will be more than happy to advise and assist you.
Crime
Crime is a common security problem in any large metropolitan city and in some few rural areas. Nevertheless, with sensible precautions, common sense and using your best judgment, you can avoid trouble.
Non-violent and violent crimes can occur anywhere, but the risk is higher in isolated areas.
• Use your mobile phone discreetly, they could sometimes be snatched in public.
• Carry your bags carefully and tightly, all pockets zipped up.
• Avoid walking alone after dark.
Credit cards and mobile money are increasingly accepted in shops and restaurants, limiting the amount of cash necessary. Avoid travelling/walking alone in the dark. Visitors should be vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs. Due to high inflation and large-scale unemployment many people are experiencing economic problems.
The impact of COVID-19 restrictions has led to increase in unemployment, as jobs available for young people have reduced, and, in turn, criminal activity and associated violence. We therefore urge all volunteers to be vigilant and heighten their personal safety and security while at home, driving or out for an evening jog/ walk.
A more detailed security briefing will be given to all the volunteers during the induction; Volunteers are encouraged to report any safety, security, health incidents and any losses, as soon as possible, to their host and to the AAIK SFP using any efficient mode of communication.
Health: COVID-19
In March 2021, Kenya rolled our mass vaccination with the aim of containing further spread of the virus, A slow arrival of vaccines hindered the nationwide exercise, but with more doses received over the past few months, the health ministry is confident it will reach its inoculation targets. The Covid-19 situation in Kenya indicates that the number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Kenya has reached 4,183,552, according to the latest data published by the health ministry. The vaccines that have already arrived for use in Kenya so far are; Astrazeneca, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, Sinopharm and Pfizer.
In view of this trend AAIK has guidelines to protect our both our staff and volunteers, the same will be shared once the volunteer is on board. As of now, our offices are partially opened with both staff and volunteers requiring approvals from line managers in cooperation with the Human Resource to work from the office/field work. This aids in recording and monitoring the number of staff in the office/field at any given time. Regular well-structured 1:1 check-in will be scheduled by your line manager as a good practice and increased frequency of these meetings will help volunteers adjust to remote work and stay connected during these stressful times.
AAIK will provide basic Personal protective equipment for all its staff and volunteers during working hours i.e. hand sanitizer and facial masks.
The government of Kenya has provided guidelines for home-based care for Covid-19 patients; however, we recommend hospitalization in case a volunteer is infected. This will minimize transmission and ensure they receive all needed support and care to recover. All volunteers must adhere to the government directives on the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tasks
Capacity Building
This position will provide support to the Makima LRP coordinator in facilitating information and training of the water committees and the communities aiming at improving access to safe and sustainable water and enhancing the sanitation practices in Makima. The tasks include:
• Support the provision of technical inputs in enhancing the community-based water management structures, including the Water User Association/Water management committees on operation and maintenance of the completed water systems.
• Support in the promotion of the public health/hygiene, through collaborative work with the partners and other stakeholders, aiming at the sensitization of the communities.
• Capacity building partners linked to the need to conserve water by using methods geared towards environmental conservation.
• Support and promote safe water storage, harvesting and good sanitation and hygiene practices at the household level.Documentation and learning
• Support the documentation of the best practices and the successful stories of change.Knowledge sharing and learning
• Participate in and contribute to relevant in-country and cross-country learning and knowledge sharing events and processes within the ActionAid Federation, such as the Youth Community of Interest.Communication and Awareness of the EU Aid Volunteers Initiative
Promote the local volunteerism in disaster risk reduction, prevention and response.
• Promote partnerships and collaboration between local and European organizations;
• Draft and publish articles describing volunteer’s experience in the field in cooperation with the communications team in AA Kenya and AA Hellas.
• Gather audio-visual material to be used in a public awareness activity in the volunteer’s local community in Europe, in consultation with AA Kenya.
• In coordination with the NGOs partner of the project, organize and execute a public awareness activity once back in Europe.
Apprenticeship: N/A
Required Competencies
A Bachelors’ degree in Development related subjects preferable civil, environmental, water, public health, social studies or related courses.
2 years of relevant professional experience.
Core competencies
- Independent and proactive – able to work on his/her own and take initiatives.
- Strong facilitation skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Must be a positive role model to the young people.
- A strong commitment to ActionAid’s values and feminist leadership principles.
- Able to build collaborative relationships.
- Innovative – able to develop and innovate youth engagement activities.
Required voluntary work experience
- Experience in water and sanitation programmes is an added advantage.
- Experience in working with young and rural people.
- Experience in motivating and supporting young people.
- Experience in participatory approach to youth engagements.
Personal Qualifications
- Independence
- Patience and tolerance
- Cultural Awareness (cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability)
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
- Ability to work with limited resources
Language requirements:
- Fluency in English is a requirement
Selection criteria
Applications are made directly within the sending organisation, please check out the how to apply section.Eligibility and exception criteria
The candidate for EU Aid Volunteers must be a citizen of the EU or a third country national who is a long-term resident in an EU Member State, and must have a minimum age of 18 years.
ActionAid International Kenya and AA Hellas apply a policy of equal opportunities and accepts applications without distinction on the grounds of sex, race, colour, ethnic or social origin, genetic features, language, religion or belief, political or any other opinion, membership of a national minority, property, birth, disability, age or sexual orientation.Minimum Requirements
• Willing to work in the country’s context and adapt to the local culture.
• Willing to travel to local communities as per need.
• Willingness to live under modest living conditions in solidarity to the people ActionAid International Kenya works with and for!
• The volunteer must understand and adhere to the international standards in humanitarian protection and accountability.
Condition of service
Learning Opportunities
The volunteer will learn from AAIK’s long experience and expertise in the development and the humanitarian sector, which has grown considerably over the last 47 years. AAIK is known for its expertise in human rights-based approach programming that puts poor and excluded people at the centre of responses and analyses the dynamics of power, inequality and discrimination. This approach promotes both empowerment and has inbuilt elements of inclusion advancing participation of excluded and vulnerable women and youth which greatly benefit the volunteer. ActionAid also recognizes that shifting power in favour of women will challenge status quo, build a critical mass of community members, led by women, to carry out advocacy and campaigns with a view to bringing about increased responsiveness of governments through changes in policies, conditions, and resource allocation which is the nerve centre of AAIK programmes.
All candidates will take part in an on-site training, organised by the EU, prior to their deployment. The candidates will be signed up for this training by the Sending Organisation, once they have been pre-selected for the desired vacancy.
The face-to-face training duration had to be adapted to the current conditions bearing in mind current measures for social distancing etc. In order to train candidates in smaller groups and reduce the time spent at the training centres, the face-to-face training will be split into two parts: a “virtual classroom component” of 4 days (online) followed by an actual face-to-face training of 5 days. Optional courses will only be available in an online version.
The training costs (EU travel, full-board accommodation, and the course itself) are fully covered by the training provider. Travel outside the EU will be covered only for:
– EU citizens who legally reside in a non-EU country for long-term or forever (i.e. who live in that country);
– EU citizens who are on a temporary assignment in a third country that lasts more than 18 months (i.e. who work in a third country).
Additional candidate volunteers will be trained above the number planned for deployment in order to create a reserve pool to cover drop-outs and unforeseen needs.
Therefore, it is possible that for 1 position more than 1 candidate is going to be trained. The final decision will be always taken after the training.
Strengthening and building training development and delivery skills and experience.
• Participation in training of trainer activities and trainings.
• Training development and delivery of mentorship
• Global citizenship through Global Contact courses.
The EU Aid Volunteer will have a Learning and Development Plan for the on-going assessment of her/his competences during the deployment.
In addition, AA has numerous online platforms available for learning, for example the Global Change Lab, Beautiful Rising Platform, Action Reflection Community of Practice and ActionAid Learning Site, among others.Working and Living Conditions
The volunteer is expected to work for a minimum of 37.5 and maximum 40 Hours per week. Working hours should be flexible and agreed between the volunteer and the line manager in line with AAIK policies. The AAIK HR manual will be shared to shed more light on specific working conditions; the same will be discussed during the volunteer’s induction.
Hosting Organization:
The Hosting Organization for the present deployment is ActionAid International Kenya.
Length of Deployment: 6 months
Deployment duty station: Makima LRP, Embu County, Kenya
Conditions of service during deployment:
Official working hours at ActionAid International Kenya are Monday- Thursday (08:00 – 17:00) Friday (08:00 – 13:30). There is an hour’s lunch break that can be taken between 12:30-14:00hrs
A monthly Subsistence Lump Sum (515,95 € per month) intends to cover basic needs and local transport.
In addition, for each month of deployment 100 € of post deployment resettlement allowance are foreseen.
Accommodation for the volunteer will be provided by AAIK. This will be a modestly furnished house within walking distance from the office. The house will have basic amenities like water and electricity (Although the supply can be erratic within the district). The cost of living in Kenya is relatively high, but provision of goods and services are easily accessible as local shopping centres and shops are centrally placed.
Accommodation, Visa fees, insurance and airfares will be covered directly by sending and/or hosting organization.
For each month of voluntary activity two days of rest are foreseen, in addition to public holidays. It is highly recommended not to use the days-off during the first and the last month of deployment.
Conditions related to in-presence training:
Please note that more than one candidate per position will attend the training, to create an additional pool to cover drop-outs and unforeseen needs.
Selection process
Shortlisting and Interviews
13/12/2021-24/12/2021.
• To apply, the candidate should write a letter of motivation, fill out a Europass CV and Self-Assessment Questionnaire and upload all these documents to the application link in this advert
• Shortlisting and interviews of the candidates: December 2021
In case of changes of the dates, the candidates will be notifiedInterview Process
Information on the interview process
• All the interviews will be done online. The interviews have the aim to explore both the competences and the motivations of the candidates;
• The candidates selected for the training will be notified before the training. The date of the notification may vary according to the number of application received;
• The selected candidate/s will attend online and in-presence training, which are part of the selection process;
• Please note that more than one candidate per position will attend the training;
• The final decision about the candidate to be deployed will be taken by sending and hosting organization after the training.Expected date decision on outcome24/12/2021
Self assessment questionnaire
