Volunteer development coordinator

Although remarkable progress has been made in rebuilding Sierra Leone since the end of the conflict in 2002, the decade-long civil war has caused extensive damage to social sectors. The majority of Sierra Leoneans lack access to basic social services and many live below the poverty line.

The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) is a government commission seeking to alleviate poverty and prevent conflict from reoccurring. As part of this objective, NaCSA has established the Peace and Development Corps, a national volunteering programme aimed at giving young people the opportunity to get involved in supporting and rebuilding their own communities.

As volunteer development coordinator, you’ll use your volunteer management expertise to develop this programme, help to secure funding and promote volunteering as a tool for social development across Sierra Leone.

What does the role involve?
  • Assisting with the recruitment, selection and placement of volunteers
  • Assisting in project budget management
  • Working with staff to develop fundraising initiatives, including proposal writing
  • Developing monitoring and evaluation systems to monitor progress of volunteers and the overall programme
  • Collaborating with members of other volunteer involving organisations to share information and knowledge
Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll need a degree level qualification and experience in managing volunteers or volunteer programmes, project management and budgeting. Experience in fundraising and monitoring and evaluation is also required. Flexibility, creativity and patience are key, as resources are likely to be limited within the organisation.

And the rest…

Sierra Leone borders Liberia to the south-east, the Republic of Guinea to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. You’ll be based in the lively capital Freetown. Good facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, internet cafes, a post office and markets ar all available. The country has some of the best beaches in the West Africa and you could visit Outamba-Kilimi National Park on a long weekend and spot diverse wildlife such as chimpanzees, colobus monkeys, buffalo, elephants and maybe even lions.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We’ll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our support package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we’ll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.

Ready to apply?