Summary
Date Posted: Monday, February 07, 2022 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Student Support Officer
Overview
Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust is a dynamic and contemporary conservation education non-government organisation (NGO) that operates in the area of Mfuwe, Eastern Province, a rapidly growing rural settlement close to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. The primary aim of the organisation is to educate local children and communities about wildlife, the environment and conservation. The organisation is small, with high impact, and has been the recipient of a number of international awards.
Student Support Officer – Job Overview
The position of Student Support Officer (SSO) is a new role within the organisation. It is primarily one of administration of the Student Sponsorship Scheme, student mentorship, liaison with schools in the Chipembele programme, facilitation of the Gender Awareness Programme and careers guidance. It is based at the Chipembele Offices in Mfuwe with outreach work in schools and communities in the greater Mfuwe area.

Role Description
1. Administration of the Student Sponsorship Scheme
The SSO will:
• Assist in finding new sponsors and liaise with current ones, including for tertiary sponsorship for the Chipembele Aspiring Conservation Leaders
• Interview and recruit new students at the start of each academic year
• Purchase adequate numbers of school requirements annually for the sponsored students (such as stationery, backpacks, school uniform etc.) and maintain an inventory of supplies
• Liaise with local tailors over the sewing of school uniforms
• Prepare and email forms for sponsors concerning their students
• Scan/email letters to sponsors from each student 3 times a year
• Meet with students at the start of each term and assess their previous end of term report
• Keep track of donations and chase up sponsors who fail to pay pledged donations
• Make budgets for tertiary education students each term and ensure the budgets fall within the annual donation
• Maintain accurate spreadsheets and other records
2. Student Guidance
The SSO will:
Develop a support programme to provide Chipembele students with the support, guidance counselling or advice whenever sought by sponsored students or those in the Conservation Education Programme concerning their studies, school life or personal issues to ensure they optimise their performance and make the best choices they possibly can
3. School liaison
The SSO will:
Liaise with schools, Head and Deputy Head Teachers, Conservation Club patrons/matrons and any other teachers or school associations as and when necessary to help in the smooth running of the Conservation Education Programme and Student Sponsorship Scheme
4. Gender Awareness Programme
The SSO will:
• Adhere to Chipembele’s Gender Policy and update it when necessary to ensure it complies with national and international guidelines, notably for mainstreaming gender into all programmes and administrative procedures
• Develop a new and extensive Gender Awareness Programme
• Work with the education team with gender-based issues to integrate them into the Conservation Clubs in Chipembele’s Conservation Education Programme
• Develop and assist in the delivery of monthly sessions on gender for the Conservation Clubs in Chipembele’s Conservation Education Programme
• Help facilitate gender-related events
• Network and collaborate with other gender programmes locally, nationally and internationally
• Monitor all programmes according to Chipembele’s Monitoring and Evaluation Policy. Submit all monitoring documentation to the Conservation Coordinator for evaluation
• Work with the Aspiring Conservation Leaders on aspects of the gender programme
5. Careers Guidance
The SSO will:
• Research careers and tertiary education courses available in Zambia and maintain up-to-date reference and contact information
• Interview Grade 12 students who are sponsored by Chipembele or in its conservation programmes. Issue and assess questionnaires with these students and offer appropriate further education and/or career advice
• Liaise with the local tourism industry and NGOs to help some of the students to find employment whenever appropriate
• Offer career guidance within the Aspiring Conservation Leader programme
6. Administrative Support
The SSO will:
• Keep full and accurate accounts and records of all activities and financial transactions for the above programmes and activities
• Submit monthly reports and special programme reports to the CEO
• Assist the CEO in the regular updating of social media postings for any appropriate programmes and activities above
• Participate in other relevant Chipembele activities and events when required

Qualifications
• A tertiary qualification relevant to Social Work, Youth Work, Gender, Psychology or similar is essential
• Post graduate qualification in a relevant subject would be an advantage
Essential Skills and Experience
• Training and at least 3 years’ experience in youth or gender work
• A passion for wildlife and conservation
• Training and experience in student mentorship, counselling and guidance
• Excellent administrative, organisational & financial management skills
• Excellent computer skills and proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Experience in financial record keeping
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluating
• Excellent English (oral and written) and fluent Chinyanja
• Experience in project management
• Strong communication skills, particularly report writing
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Sensitivity, discretion and ability to retain confidentiality when appropriate
• Experience of working within rural Zambian communities, preferably for an NGO

Other Skills/Experience/Aptitudes
• Flexibility and willingness to work beyond office hours whenever necessary
• Innovation and creativity to improve aspects of the programme
• Current valid driver’s license. Experience of driving 4-wheel drive vehicles and driving off road in difficult terrain would be an advantage
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, creed, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability or age in its employment policies, operations and programmes. Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust complies with all Zambian Employment and Equal Opportunity laws.

Education Requirement: No Requirements

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Job application procedure
Application deadline is Friday 25th February 2022 but applications will be reviewed as they are received on an ongoing process.
Please send a covering letter detailing why you are well-suited for the position and CV to the CEO, Olivia Petre at olivia@chipembele.org.

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