Technical Advisor job in Kenya

Deaf Child Worldwide is the only UK-based international development agency dedicated to enabling deaf children to overcome poverty and isolation.

Technical Advisor
Based in Nairobi, Kenya
Long term consultancy contract

Deaf Child Worldwide is the international development arm of the National Deaf Children’s Society. Deaf Child Worldwide currently has regional programmes in East Africa, South Asia and Latin America. The East Africa programme includes Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Deaf Child Worldwide is looking for an experienced individual to provide support to our partner organisations in Kenya and the East Africa region to build their technical capacity on deafness to strengthen their work with deaf children and their families.

The role calls for an inspirational and motivated individual to help us enhance the impact of our current projects bringing about positive outcomes for deaf children and support the creation of new projects with partners to meet the needs of deaf children in the region, today and in the future. 

As well as being an exceptional technical specialist in the area of development of language and communication in deaf children and young people you will also need to have a good understanding of audiology issues and excellent interpersonal skills, with a passion to make a difference.


For a submission form please email Nicola.Pigott@deafchildworldwide.org

Please note we do not accept CVs.

Completed submission forms should be emailed to the Programme Manager for East Africa at Nicola.Pigott @deafchildworldwide.org.

The subject line of the email must be demarked as ‘Technical Advisor Kenya Application’.

The closing date for this post is 5pm Friday January 7th 2011.

We expect interviews to be held in Nairobi during week of 17th January 2011.
TERMS OF REFERENCE

Role: Technical Advisor

Reports to: Programme Manager East Africa (based in London)

Location: Nairobi

Main Purpose of Role

To increase the quality of programme outcomes for deaf children by supporting partner organisations to increase their technical capacity in developing and delivering programmes with and for deaf children and their families.

Key Tasks

To work with Deaf Child Worldwide’s partner organisations to improve the quality of programme interventions on childhood deafness
To provide technical input relating to deafness on project design and methodology of new project proposals submitted by partner organisations
To identify gaps in knowledge and understanding in partner organisations and provide training and coaching support as appropriate to improve the technical skills of partner organisations in issues relating to childhood deafness and education of death children and young people
To monitor the quality of partners’ work with deaf children, to inform training and support plans for partners and to report back to Deaf Child Worldwide programme staff on progress made
To contribute to Deaf Child Worldwide’s impact assessment process
To support partners to develop skills and expertise in promoting participation of children and young people in project planning, implementation and monitoring
To develop high quality training resources and packages for external distribution
To build up a ‘bank’ of good practice in childhood deafness, disseminate information to partners and share learning in the region.
To contribute to the development of the East Africa programme by keeping abreast of disability sector issues and initiatives and feeding the experiences and priorities of deaf children and their families into annual plans and budgets
Together with partner organisations, to participate in relevant forums and actively identify opportunities to influence key stakeholders, including government actors in education and social protection
Demonstrate good practices of communication, collaboration and transparency during engagement with the staff in partner organisations.
To promote the vision and values of Deaf Child Worldwide

Selection Criteria

We are seeking a qualified professional with significant experience of working with deaf children. The person to whom the contract is awarded will need to meet the following criteria:





Qualifications

University degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience (education, CBR, speech therapy etc)

Experience
Extensive professional experience and practical of working with deaf children and young people in a developing country context (e.g. as a Teacher of the Deaf, CBR worker, speech therapist etc) in the field of education, health and welfare
Experience of identifying skills gaps, designing training programmes and working with partner organisations in an advisory capacity
Experience in delivering coaching, training and facilitation as appropriate to different situations
Ability to establish good working relationships with a wide range of people at all levels

Knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of development of language and communication in deaf children and young people
Knowledge and understanding of the barriers facing deaf children and young people in developing countries
Experience and knowledge of appropriate and effective services and solutions to overcome these barriers
Knowledge of participatory training approaches
Knowledge of Kenyan Sign Language
Working knowledge and understanding of regional/country context, relevant policy frameworks, services available, and key institutions and stakeholders

Abilities

Ability to establish good working relationships with a wide range of people at all levels from different cultural backgrounds including both senior and grassroots professionals working in the disability and development sector, government officials, parents, deaf children and young deaf people.
An ability to work independently and as part of a team, maintaining contact with line management at distance
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to present coherent recommendations to partners
Ability to plan and review work strategically
Ability to deal with difficult or sensitive issues requiring tact and diplomacy

Skills
Fluency in English and proficiency in at least one other local language
Computer literacy and competence in Microsoft Office including Word and Excel


Attitudes
Commitment to and understanding of the social model of disability and rights-based approaches
A belief in the potential of deaf children
A belief in the important role of parents and the wider family in the life of deaf children
A belief in the rights of parents to have access to comprehensive and balanced information about communication, amplification and educational approaches.
An ability to be open-minded, flexible and willing to innovate

Other
Willingness to travel within the region regularly, including weekend stays
Enthusiasm and commitment to the Deaf Child Worldwide and National Deaf Children Soceity’s Vision & Values statement, and policies of Informed Choice and Equal Opportunities.
Adherence to Deaf Child Worldwide’s Child Protection Policy