Country: Thailand
Closing date: 30 Jul 2017
Volunteer (Thai-Burma border, Mae Sot)
Communications Officer (Web Editing and Social Media Support)
Position duration: 3 months minimum, preferably 3 – 6 months or longer.
Position Overview:
Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) seeks an energetic, organised, self-directed volunteer for the role of Communications Officer. The volunteer will be responsible for driving the review and development of BCMF website content – planning: creating, editing and publishing.
The key duties (70%)) of the Communications Officer:
- Develop material for BCMF website;
- Collaborate with BCMF staff regarding updates to website; and
- Collaborate with and support BCMF staff to prepare content for BCMF social media
Other work duties (30%) may include:
- developing materials and activities to support English language development (particularly written English) for BCMF staff and volunteers;
- capacity building activities including training/workshops to support the developing of content for web and social media;
- photography and videography;
- supporting local staff with daily activities and projects;
- assisting with other projects, as assigned.
Person Specification:
Essential -
- advanced level English language proficiency (full professional proficiency)
- advanced level English writing skills with an understanding of the importance of brevity
- excellent English editing skills - spelling, grammar and punctuation
- a high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- ability to write engaging web content
- creativity
- excellent organisational skills
- ability to use initiative and be pro-active
- ability to work independently with limited supervision
- ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living and work environment
- preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment
- commitment to team work, coaching, and mentoring others
- awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings
- patience, tolerance, flexibility and good interpersonal skills
Volunteer must provide a working with children check and police check or equivalent from country of residence.
Desirable-
- previous experience in a communications role
- proofreading and editing experience
- volunteering or work experience in the non-profit sector
- interest in migrant and refugee issues, international politics, human rights etc.
- experience working in a community based organisation or small NGO
- experience providing English language support
- experience working in a resource limited environment
At BCMF we believe that longer term volunteering can make a real contribution to community and provides the opportunity to build relationships and immerse yourself in the local communities. Longer term volunteering provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of the context in which we work.
In return you will have the opportunity to:
- work with an organization and community that offers valuable learning experiences regarding access to health for migrants, refugees and IDPs from Burma; and the socio-political context on the Thai-Burma border;
- develop your skills and knowledge working in community based organisations.
A BCMF volunteer placement will provide you with direct field experience working with displaced and refugee communities along the Thai - Burma border. You will work alongside staff from Mae Tao Clinic www.maetaoclinic.org and be a key member of the small but efficient team at BCMF www.burmachildren.com
About BCMF
BCMF strongly believes that everyone has a right to healthcare and we strive to provide this opportunity to people from Burma regardless of age, sex, race, religion and legal status.
The Burma Children Medical Fund was founded in 2006 as a response to the increasing number of patients presenting at Mae Tao Clinic who required surgery that the clinic could not provide. Prior to the establishment of BCMF, many patients who required complex surgery could only have their symptoms treated at Mae Tao Clinic and lived severely incapacitated lives or died prematurely as a result. The aim of BCMF is to facilitate access to treatment for patients with complex medical conditions. BCMF does this by sourcing funds and linking patients with treatment and social support.
Additionally, BCMF works in the areas of health promotion, health literacy, health worker training and other capacity building and development activities identified in partnership with our key stakeholders, particularly in Eastern Burma.
While the treatment of children is a BCMF priority we have also established two funds for adults, the Burma Adult Medical Fund (BAMF) and the Burma Women Medical Fund (BWMF). These programs facilitate access to treatment for adults (18 years and over) that will respond well to surgery or treatment.
Since 2006, we have supported over 2000 patients, and each year our caseload increases. We continue to see many patients from all over Burma and we aim to facilitate treatment for as many people as possible. Increasingly, BCMF is working in Burma to support health system strengthening and develop referral pathways with a view to decreasing the numbers of patients who need to travel across the border into Thailand to access healthcare.
How to apply:
If you would like more information about volunteering with BCMF please contact Jacqui Whelan jacqui@burmachildren.com.