Project Coordinator
Hoedspruit, South Africa
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information contained was
correct at the time of acceptance of the request. However, while AVI takes responsibility for matters under our
direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to change due to the inherent low levels of
predictability in developing country environments. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect
changes in circumstances.
General Details
Assignment Title
Project Coordinator
Host Organisation
Children’s Eco Training
Website of Host Organisation
www.ecochildren.co.za
Duration of Assignment
12 months
Start Date
19th Feb 2016
Pre-departure Briefing Date
2 – 4 December 2015
AVI Assignment Code
10533915
Australian Partner Organisation
N/A
Host Organisation Overview
Children’s Eco Training (CET) provides improved educational outcomes and environmental education
for 1,000 children in Limpopo, one of South Africa's poorest provinces. Within Limpopo, there are 300
government schools in the Acornhoek Bushbuckridge area alone. These schools are all non-fee paying
schools, which places immense pressure on the management and severely restricts funding to run
each effectively. All of the schools are overcrowded and operate under immensely challenging
conditions.
CET works with primary schools in the areas which have major needs with regards to water supply,
management skills, lack of resources, infrastructure and more. In addition to infrastructure
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
improvements, CET with the support of Springbok legend Francois Peinaar’s MAD Charity Foundation
support children to attend holiday workshops on subjects varying from plant biology to bush knowledge
and vegetable gardening. CET and MAD Charity support the schools to develop and maintain
community gardens to supplement children's diets and earn a modest income for the school to
supplement limited resources. In 2015, CET and MAD Charity will select a fourth school with which to
partner, where the AVID group assignment will be delivered.
The volunteer assignment will assist CET and MAD Charity to assess the community needs of the new
school, identify areas (such as school infrastructure, i.e. school kitchen, garden, library) and design a
project to deliver with the students and school staff.
Assignment Overview
The population in Hoedspruit is very small and the skillset is very limited. The organisation has a
number of projects underway which require detailed planning and communications skills. It is
recognised that locally trained staff do not have sufficient exposure or experience to manage projects
and anticipate and develop appropriate communications plans. It is envisaged that the volunteer will
work closely with local staff in planning, communicating and supporting these projects.
Assignment Objectives
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Support the organisation in planning, implementing and reporting on a range of projects which
are undertaken in the local communities.
Duties and Responsibilities of the Volunteer
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
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Support the CEO in planning and implementation of projects
Support the CEO in developing a budget, cost and time estimating, activity planning and
sequencing resource planning
Assist the CEO in developing learning material for Conservation Education Projects
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
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Mentor local staff in project management
Assignment Information
Line Manager
Staff Supervision
CEO
The volunteer will help the CEO in supervising the ‘Support-a-School’
team to implement projects.
Hours & Days of Employment
From 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5-day week to a maximum of 40
hours per week.
Leave Entitlements
Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. However, as a
minimum, volunteers will accrue 1 week of leave for each 3 months of work.
Other Conditions
If need arises and a project launch is during a weekend or evening, management will compensate with
weekdays off when required.
Language Skills and Level Required
English is mainly used at the place of work. Shangaan is the recommended language to learn in
Hoedspruit.
The community where the volunteer will work has Afrikaans, Venda, and Shangaan speaking people.
The level required to learn the languages is low.
Language Support
Volunteers are able to access funding for language lessons after they have completed their in country
orientation program.
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Living as a Volunteer
Hoedspruit is a small tourism and agriculturally orientated town in the central Lowveld and is nestled
between the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon. It is surrounded by the largest privately
owned conservation area in the world. Hoedspruit is one of the major agricultural contributors in the
country – specialising in mango and citrus production.
There is easy access and availability of recreational facilities, banks, health care providers and shops
that provide all amenities.
At the office, the volunteer will have access to IT equipment and internet access. Company vehicles are
provided for work related travel.
Private and public health systems exist in parallel. The public system serves the vast majority of the
population. The wealthiest 20% of the population use the private system and are far better served.
Good second hand cars can be easily accessed and would range between AUD 5,000 to AUD 7,000.
The volunteer will need to buy a mobile 3G card and independently subscribe to an internet provider to
use at their area of residence. There are a number of mobile and internet providers that offer high
speed, high quality, low cost and easy to use Internet connection.
Allowances & Support
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 1650.00 per month
AUD 750.00 per month
NB: Of the above amount, the host organisation
will be contributing ZAR 1,200 per month towards
Accommodation Allowance
Housing
Available property to lease in Hoedspruit ranges from townhouses, flats and stand-alone houses at the
cost of AUD 450 to AUD 800 per month depending on the size.
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
In-country Orientation on arrival
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
Visa expenses
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
Return airfare to country of assignment
Psychological and medical advice and support services
Re-entry support services
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Preparing Your Application
Personal Circumstances Constraints
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location.
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Applicants with criminal convictions
Update February 17, 2015: Restriction on travel prior to departure
- In accordance with new Regulations set out by the South Africa High Commission, an applicant
for the visa you will require (B1-1738) must submit their application in person in Canberra, 8
weeks prior to their departure date.
- AVI will cover the cost for applicants to attend their appointments at the South Africa High
Commission and organise all required appointments for visa submission.
- Applications take up to 8 weeks to process.
- As part of your application, you will be required to submit your passport. Therefore, you will
need to reside in Australia for this period and no overseas travel should be arranged during
that time.
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
To find out more details about preparing your application, please visit:
http://www.australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/application-process/
To find out more details about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer, please visit:
http://australianvolunteers.com/volunteer/have-you-got-what-it-takes/
Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience
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Relevant tertiary, professional or technical qualifications and/or certification
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Demonstrated project management and development knowledge/experience
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Proficient Computer skills - Microsoft Projects
Teaching experience or working with children.
Desirable Skills and Experience
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Experience working in developing communities
How to Apply
All applications must be submitted online. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on
our website prior to applying.
Once completed, please visit www.australianvolunteers.com, log in, select the assignment you are
interested in and follow the prompts at the end of the page.
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program is an
Australian Government initiative. This assignment has been developed by Australian
Volunteers International, a delivery partner for the AVID program.