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