National Volunteer - Education Specialist

Job Description

Introduction to VSO
VSO is the world’s leading international non-governmental organization that works through volunteers to create a fair world for everyone. Our work centres on those who are left out by society – those living in extreme poverty or with disability and illness, those who face discrimination and violence because of their gender, sexuality, or social status, and those at risk from disaster, disease, and conflict. These individuals are the primary actors at the heart of our efforts, defining the issues, opportunities, and solutions that drive sustainable, local-led change.

Our Approach
Our Volunteering for Development (VfD) method supports the most vulnerable and marginalised to achieve their rights and bring about lasting change. Rooted in addressing marginalisation and vulnerability, our three core approaches – social inclusion and gender, social accountability, and resilience – guide our work in inclusive education, health, and resilient livelihoods.

The VfD method recognises the importance of relationships in building collective action and lasting change. With most volunteers being national, we build blended teams of community, national, and international volunteers, uniting diverse perspectives to generate insight, innovation, and action that tackles complex community issues. This fosters active citizenship worldwide, encouraging people to lead change that promotes a fair world for all.

Project Background and Context
The BEFIT programme is a six-year Government of Malawi initiative aiming to improve learning outcomes in reading and numeracy through supplemental, individualized, self-paced instruction delivered via specialized apps on Android tablets in public primary schools. The programme is implemented with a consortium of partners including VSO, Imagine Worldwide, and One Billion, and currently reaches over 900 primary schools across all 34 Education Districts.

VSO provides technical and implementation support, focusing on capacity building for stakeholders and the institutionalization of Education Technology (EdTech) use and management in targeted schools. VSO supports five education districts and has assisted 301 primary schools to adopt tablet-based learning, ensuring effective rollout and sustainable integration.

Role Outputs
Capacity Building and System Strengthening
Co-develop and facilitate training modules for TTC lecturers, PEAs, and teachers on Digital Education Technology, pedagogical approaches for foundational skills development, and the use of data for instructional decision-making. Strengthen district staff and school leaders in educational leadership, school improvement planning, and management of EdTech resources.

Research, Evidence Generation, and Learning
Provide direct support to the ongoing Randomized Control Trial (RCT) by coordinating data collection, facilitating school access, and ensuring adherence to research protocols. Support action research at the district level to understand barriers, enablers, and practical impacts of the BEFIT programme. Collect, analyse, and synthesise qualitative and quantitative data on teacher adoption, learner engagement, and tablet utilisation. Produce quarterly learning reports and case studies documenting insights and recommendations.

Operational and Financial Management
Take responsibility for district-level budgets. Create detailed budgets for proposed activities and ensure all spending follows VSO rules and procedures for accountability.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaborative Implementation
Work with TTCs, District Education Offices, PEAs, school committees, and consortium partners to integrate DET into daily school activities and teacher training curricula. Act as liaison between the research team, Ministry of Education, consortium partners, and schools. Foster a collaborative environment for problem-solving and knowledge sharing across the education ecosystem.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
Participate in monitoring and evaluation, using data to track progress against learning outcomes and institutionalization milestones. Ensure timely production of high-quality quarterly project and financial reports.

Experience and Skills Required
Strong experience in training and mentoring primary school teachers. Demonstrated project financial management experience, including budgeting and payment processing. Familiarity with rigorous research methodologies such as RCTs is an advantage. Knowledge of primary school teaching and foundational skills for early-grade learners. Experience in training of trainers and in educational leadership, school effectiveness, and integration of innovative approaches.

Skills include the ability to work in a multi-stakeholder, multi-level, and cross-cultural environment, strong interpersonal, communication, networking, and presentation skills, proficiency in English, IT skills and familiarity with educational technology platforms, self-motivation, and the ability to work independently. Two years of motorcycle riding experience with a valid rider’s licence is required.

Deadline: 30 Nov 2025

About the Organization

VSO is an international development charity that works through volunteers. Our vision is a world without poverty in which people work together to fulfil their potential. We bring people together to share skills, creativity and learning to build a fairer world. VSO welcomes volunteers from an ever increasing range of countries, backgrounds and ages. National agencies in Canada, Kenya, the Netherlands and the Philippines recruit volunteers from many different countries worldwide and this international approach allows us to combine and learn from a rich variety of perspectives. Tackling Disadvantage at "Grass Roots" Level Ours is a very individual "people to people" approach to development. Instead of sending food or money, we send women and men from a wide range of professions who want the chance to make a real difference in the fight against poverty. These volunteers work in partnership with colleagues and communities to share skills and learning and jointly achieve change. But we have to be realistic in our expectations. We commit to long-term development goals and long-term partnerships and focus on sustainable development rather than the short-term relief of certain problems. VSO also works to address the structural inequalities and barriers that prevent people from exercising their rights. We use our experience and our supporter networks to work for changes in policy and practice - rich and poor countries - that reduce disadvantage. VSO is by far the largest independent volunteer-sending agency in the world. Since 1958, we have sent out more than 29,000 volunteers to work in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Pacific region and, more latterly, Eastern Europe in response to requests from our overseas partners. At the moment we have around 1,500 people working in placements in these regions. Shared Partnerships, Shared Benefits You only have to talk to VSO volunteers to realise that they gain from their experience, personally or professionally, as much as they contribute. Many will enthuse how fascinating it was to explore a different culture at first hand. Others will point to the friendships they have made. But many will also tell you how their professional talents have been stretched, and how they have learnt new skills that will significantly enhance their career prospects on their return home. If ever it was true that "you get out what you put in", VSO is proof positive. This experience makes volunteers passionate in challenging misconceptions about developing countries. In the current climate, it is more urgent than ever that we work to achieve a global community where people of all cultures are seen as equal, learn from each other and share a common sense of rights and responsibilities as global citizens. VSO builds on this experience and passion to support a range of global education activity. To find out more about volunteering with or supporting VSO visit our website at www.vso.org.uk