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Vocational Pathway Development (ITP)

Fiji (Western Division) Rakiraki

This assignment has been negotiated in good faith with the Partner Organisation, and the information

contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request.

However, while we take responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and

arrangements are subject to change. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes

in circumstances.

GENERAL DETAILS

Assignment Title Vocational Pathways Development Mentor (ITP)

Partner Organisation Ministry of Education, Heritage & Arts/Primary Section

Website of Partner Organisation www.education.gov.fj

Duration of Assignment 12 months

Proposed Start Date 29 March 2020

1. PARTNER ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

The Ministry of Education (MoE) is responsible for the design, implementation, monitoring and

evaluation of educational legislations, policies and programs in Fiji. The Ministry provides the

structures, human resources, budget and administrative and management support to ensure that

the quality of service delivery is maintained at a high level. The Ministry is specifically tasked to

conduct and deliver education services in a vast spectrum, from pre-schools to Special Schools to

teaching personnel.

Within the Ministry, the core function of the Special Education Unit is to advise, coordinate,

implement, monitor and evaluate activities which promote and enhance the development and

empowerment of special and inclusive education in the country. The Special Education Unit works

collaboratively with the nine education district officers in ensuring the effective implementation of

inclusive education policy and support for students with special needs in both special and

mainstream schools.

2. ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

The Ministry formally introduced Individual Education Plans (IEPs) to the Special Schools of the Western and Northern divisions in 2013. This was in collaboration with and supported by the Australian government, MoE and the Australian Volunteers for International Development program. The support continued for three and a half years and the IEPs remain functioning and have been nationalized and used across Special Schools in Fiji. IEPs focus on the individual abilities of students whilst at school.

In 2016 Individual Transition Plans (ITPs) were developed. These are designed for vocational and pre vocational students. The ITP process cannot function effectively in isolation, as it builds on from

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the IEPs in identifying a student’s abilities and the subsequent development up to the stage whereby the student is work-force ready.

The Ministry of Education (through the support of the Australian Volunteers under the Disability Empowerment Skills Exchange (DESE) Team) in 2017 developed an ITP Strategy that is currently been successfully trialled in four Special Schools in the Western Division: Nadi Special, Lautoka Special, Sunshine Special and Sigatoka Special.

There have been significant successes reported of the milestones achieved from the support and commitment of two current volunteer assignments with the development of partnerships with major Hoteliers and much more showing interest. These resulted in 32 traineeships of students from the four special schools and even some entering into full time work.

This subsequently has influenced teachers to be more involved and to upskill themselves in formulating teaching strategies accordingly to focus on equipping students to be work ready and to understand the needs and the context of the industry. Included in the ITP’s development was the need for real opportunities to enter the workforce under traineeships or work experience.

The Ministry wishes to formalise the ITP process and roll it out in other special schools, thus the development of these assignments. This 6-member team assignment will build on previous capacity support, with the aim to consistently focus and work with the teachers in coaching the students for sustainability to bridge the ITP work to making students’ workforce ready. The team will be under the guidance of the current volunteers supervised by the Ministry.

This assignment will be based in Rakiraki Special School in the Western Division, Fiji.

3. ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES

To develop and link IEP with ITPs to a Work Ready Program design, supporting

employment for students from the allocated Special School/s;

To trial and improve the Work Ready Program design through documenting learning

outcomes to inform the roll out of the Program in other Special Schools.

To ensure the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment in the

course of your work with the partner organisation and host community, including implementing strategies that relate to:

a. promoting gender equality and empowering women, b. disability inclusion, and c. child safeguarding.

4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER

In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, Australian volunteers

complete a work plan in the first three (3) months of their assignment. The duties below are an

indication of the type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:

Conduct a feasibility study on the job markets and industries in the Western Division that

may employment opportunities for students

Establish new networks and partnerships with potential employers, this may also include

conducting disability awareness training

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Develop and deliver professional development for teachers on the Work Ready

curriculum, to further support students in their pathway development

Explore further opportunities outside of employment for students who may not be

interested in working, e.g. life skills, further education etc.

Document learning outcomes, feedback and recommendations for the Ministry of

Education to further evaluate and improve the Work Ready curriculum within Inclusive

Education in Fiji’s western and northern divisions

5. SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience

Tertiary qualification in Special Education, Allied Health or other relevant field/or substantial experience in the area;

Experience working with children with disabilities in an educational or health setting; Experience in career development/employment pathways and understanding of the

barriers people with disabilities face in employment Experience conducting training or mentoring; Experience with administration and logistical support at project level This role will require a Working with Children (WWCC) check, or equivalent, in addition

to other criminal record background checks.

Desirable Skills & Experience

Experience in working in a team set up;

Experience to work from time to time in isolation;

Some experience working in the Pacific would be advantage; 6. ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Line Manager

Senior Education Officer – Special Education

School Principal

Staff Supervision

The volunteer will be required to coach and work with teachers in a capacity building role.

Working Relationships

Working alongside school teachers and establishing relationship with potential employers.

Hours & Days at the Partner Organisation

8.00AM – 4.30PM – Monday to Friday

Leave Entitlements

All volunteers are entitled to 20 days leave per 12 months, unless otherwise advised.

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Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance is required for all volunteers who are acting as a medical,

allied health or legal professional whilst on assignment. On these assignments professional

indemnity insurance must be provided by the partner organisation, Australian organisation

(if applicable) or self-arranged by the volunteer as part of ongoing professional obligations.

For all other assignments, professional indemnity insurance is not automatically provided for

Australian volunteers. You should consult your partner organisation about the need for

professional indemnity insurance for your role prior to your departure. Where required

and/or you consider it essential for you to hold this insurance, please discuss this with the

Volunteer Services Manager in Melbourne prior to your departure.

This assignment is not deemed to require professional indemnity insurance.

Other Conditions

If required to work after hours, volunteer is entitled to time off in lieu because there is no

overtime pay provisions.

Language Skills and Level Required

Medium

Language Support

Language support is provided during the in-country orientation period. Most often, additional

resources for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.

7. LIVING AS A VOLUNTEER

The assignment location is Rakiraki which is located in the Western Division of Viti Levu. Rakiraki

is a small country town with sugarcane farming as the main source of income for the

communities. The weather can be very warm and humid and gets very little rain throughout the

year. There is no shortage of food and a variety of local fruits and vegetable, fish and local

delicacies will be available in the local markets around the country.

There is a health centre in Rakliraki. The main hospital is located in Lautoka City which is the

major Divisional Hospital for Western Division. Lautoka is a 2hours drive from Rakiraki. However,

there is a wide range of private doctors and dental facilities available. As Suva is the main business

centre for the country, Suva hosts a large expat community. There are also a number of

volunteers from different countries in the Western division. Social events including weekend

getaways to islands and local villages and an annual cross-country hike are part of the activities

organised throughout the year by many of these groups while other volunteers have preferred

solo trips as well. The friendliness of the locals also makes it easier to be involved with the local

communities.

While the cyclone season for Fiji is from November to April. Flash floods can be experienced

anytime during the year. Flooding of low-lying areas during periods of heavy rain is common and

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the occasional Tsunami warning for Fiji has been more predominant for the past 3 years

especially during cyclone season. For this reason, volunteers are required to seek

accommodation that is 10m or higher during their assignment

Cultural Tips

English is the official language, but many other languages are spoken, including Fijian and

Fiji Hindi;

The dominant religion is Christianity, but Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and many others are

also represented;

Volunteers should dress conservatively in the workplace and on Sundays

8. ALLOWANCES & SUPPORT

These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in the host country location. Allowances

will be reviewed periodically and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of

any change to the allowance level.

Living Allowance

$1008 AUD PER MONTH

Accommodation Allowance

$1055 AUD PER MONTH

Housing

Assistance with the identification of suitable, secure and affordable accommodation will be

provided by the In-Country Management Team.

Other Allowances & Support

All Australian Volunteers program volunteers receive the following:

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)

9. PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION

As a part of your online application you will be required to answer the following questions

through a video recording (if you are unable to submit through the online video due to

accessibility please contact the Recruitment Coordinator).

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Response to Selection Criteria

a) Why do I feel that volunteering internationally is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?

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?

c) The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to ensuring the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment, such as the partner organisation and host community. What is your personal experience and/or understanding of social inclusion.

d) How do I match the Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience? Include your most relevant experiences, results and achievements responding to each of the selection criteria in Section 5.

Personal Circumstances Constraints

The Australian Volunteers Program recognises and values the enhanced skills and expertise of

returned volunteers as a result of their volunteering experience. The program is also designed

to maximise international volunteering opportunities for all Australians. With this in mind, if a

returned volunteer and a candidate who has not volunteered previously apply for the same

role, preference will be given to the latter, providing they meet the personal and professional

selection criteria for the role.

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:

Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the program may face

issues in applying for and being issued with a visa

Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany applicants as part of the program may face issues in applying for and being issues with a visa

Applicants with a criminal record where a criminal conviction may be relevant to the inherent requirements of the assignment.

10. HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be submitted online through the Australian Volunteers Program website.

If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on our website prior to applying.

The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to increasing Indigenous participation, and we

actively encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. If you would like

more information or support with your application, you can contact our Indigenous Programs

Coordinator on indigenous.programs@australianvolunteers.com.