Children of South Africa’s (CHOSA) mission is to identify and support communities and community-based organisations (CBOs) that reach out and take care of orphans and other vulnerable children in South Africa. CHOSA takes a holistic and non-directive approach to community development which helps empower other marginalised people in these communities. Moreover, through community participation and ownership of the development process, CHOSA promotes local action, self-empowerment, and peer-to-peer networking as essential strategies for community-driven development.

CHOSA is calling for applications for the CHOSA Programmes Fellow, to work with different township CBO’s in Cape Town.

The Fellow will work with the local Programmes Coordinator and split responsibilities with that person.

• Time commitment: 40 hours per week
• Start Date: 15 January 2015
• Duration: Must be willing to commit for atleast 18 months with the possibility of extending the internship.
• Salary: R7 500/month stipend plus compensation for CHOSA-related expenses (petrol, AA-determined car wear and tear, telephone, internet, printing, office supplies).

The following job description is intended to be split between two people who make up the CHOSA on-ground team. They are required to collectively divide the work and determine individual responsibilities as best suites their skills and availability.

Responsibilties:

Work hands-on with the CBOs that CHOSA supports in Cape Town. Including but not limited to:

• Liaise with Abaphumeleli Children’s Home, Ubuhle Babantwana, Emasithandane, Philani Family Fund, Ilitha Labantwana, and any additional projects/organisations/communities that CHOSA takes on or needs to network with;
• Hold regular meetings with each relevant project. Frequency of the meetings will depend on the organisations’ needs at that time, but should not be less than once every two weeks at each organisation. The purposes of these meetings are:
  • To continue/build open and trusting relationships with the CBOs;
  • Receive updates on the progress of the CBO in general as well as any specific project underway;
  • Receive accounting for funds if there is a CHOSA grant in place;
  • Work with the CBOs to develop their organisation in ways that fit with their goals for development and assist in this process of growth. This is also a time to discuss internal/external problems, and ways in which CHOSA can support/help the project either directly or through referrals should the project want this assistance;
• Participate in annual meetings with each CBO’s Board of Directors;
• Ensure that the CBO is able to prepare a financial report back to CHOSA. If the organisation does not have the ability to prepare an end-of-the-year statement (or audit), then the coordinator is required to request more frequent (preferably monthly) engagement by the organization’s bookkeeper in order to ensure the project’s finances are in order;
• Report back to CHOSA on each organisation’s finances.

Administer CHOSA volunteering/tutoring programmw. Including but not limited to:

• Liaise with AISEC for potential volunteers;
• Hold an informational session and individual interviews with each potential volunteer;
• Liaise with with relevant CBO(s) in order to coordinate the CHOSA after-school programme;
• Support volunteers in creating curricula/lesson plans;
• Support volunteers in their classrooms, should they need help on any given day;
• Introduce volunteers to the rest of CHOSA and help them feel connected to CHOSA on a personal level;
• Motivate volunteers throughout the semester to stay involved with CHOSA once they return to the States, particularly by fundraising. This includes taking volunteers to visit other CHOSA-supported projects at end of the semester;
• Help volunteers organise field trips with their kids as well as a fundraiser to finance the trips;
• Attend after-school programs each day they run. Occasionally there will be conflicts with other requirements, in which case the job is to make sure that a volunteer coordinator is on-site.

Communicate with CHOSA’s management and board of directors

• Attend weekly meetings with CHOSA’s on-ground representatives and long-term volunteers (in Cape Town);
• Work with CHOSA’s Executive Director toward implementing CHOSA’s mission on the ground;
• Attend board meetings as requested;
• Consult with and report to the Board of Directors on all general issues of procedure and policy;
• Communicate openly and regularly with CHOSA’s fundraisers and primarily CHOSA’s fundraising director. In particular, this is a time to share information gathered through meetings with projects, working with volunteers, events with partner projects and for CHOSA itself;
• Send monthly reports describing all major initiatives and developments of the previous month.

Organise networking events

• Survey organisations to determine best/most pressing need for networking event;
• Organise and put on four events per year that bring together the staff and management of as many CHOSA-supported projects as possible to provide some sort of programming, and to allow them to meet and work together toward common interests/goals.

What the position does not include:

• Fundraising for CHOSA (this is voluntary);
• Researching other NGOs.

Requirements:

• Languages: Fluency in English (a plus if you have working knowledge of isiXhosa);
• Computer literacy: Fluency in use of internet, email, office programmes (in particular command of spreadsheets and word processors);
• Experience: Volunteer/research/work experience with community organisations especially in developing countries;
• Writing skills: Strong writing skills and ability to write thoughtful letters, proposals, articles and other types of documents in English;
• Communication skills: Ability to work well with and communicate with people in a non-domineering or authoritarian manner. Ability to navigate and stay out of personal disputes while still maintaining open lines of communication;
• Respect for others: Should be able to respect and treat equally people of different cultures and ethnicities. Should not discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, origin, etc. Should treat each individual as an equal;
• Problem solving skills: Should be able to work independently and creatively without someone telling you what to do. Should be able to set up your own appointments and manage your own schedule. Should be able to report back on your work.

To apply, submit a CV (maximum three pages) including three relevant and contactable references, a short motivational letter, and a writing sample (maximum 200 words) to [email protected].

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews. Candidates who have received no response within three weeks of the closing date should kindly assume that their application was unsuccessful.

For more about Children of South Africa, refer to www.chosa.org.