Position Title: Programs Officer (Volunteer Support)
Responsible To: Programs Manager
Appointment Site: Challenging Heights Office, Winneba, Ghana

Mission and job purpose

Our mission is to ensure a secured, protected and dignified future and life for children and youth by promoting their rights, education, and health.

Challenging Heights delivers social justice interventions to children, women, and underserved communities in the coastal and farming communities of Ghana. This includes rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration of children who have been trafficked in the fishing industry, as well as creating community awareness on these issues in order to prevent trafficking and re-trafficking of children. Challenging Heights also contributes to policy and awareness creation and the public discourse on issues affecting Ghanaian children. Additionally, the organization runs a school for more than 700 children who are survivors of child trafficking or who are at risk of child trafficking.

From the humble beginning of being a one-man unregistered organization in 2003, Challenging Heights has grown to its present status of a formidable child-centered social justice organization that is at the forefront of fighting for the rights of children and underserved populations.

Challenging Heights is poised to scale up operations for the purpose of sustaining its program gains and services and improving upon the quality it offers to both its clients and supporters.

The Programs Officer will support international volunteers and visitors who come to Challenging Heights, as well as assist with programming tasks as needed. This will be achieved by orienting visitors to Challenging Heights programs and Ghanaian culture and managing communication with local and international partnerships. This position requires patience, cultural sensitivity, and flexibility.

For more information on Challenging Heights, please visit our website: www.challengingheights.org

Programs Officer

•   Orient international visitors and volunteers to Challenging Heights programs, Ghanaian culture, local languages, and Winneba.
•   Communicate with volunteers and visitors before arrival in Ghana through email, Skype, and phone.
•   Liaise with Challenging Heights staff to create and manage volunteer work placements.
•   Assist volunteers with planning trips within Ghana.
•   Assist with communication with local and international partners.
•   Write various reports for Challenging Heights.
•   Assist Programs team with community programming as needed.

Qualification Required & Experience

•   A first degree in tourism, social sciences, or other relevant field required.
•   Understanding of child rights and social justice agenda in Ghana. Knowledge of child trafficking, especially in the fishing industry in Ghana, a plus.
•   Knowledge of local and national government structure and relevant laws and acts (Human Trafficking Act, Children’s Act, etc).
•   Knowledge of international bodies and laws a plus.

Experience

•   Demonstrated experience working with international visitors.
•   Two years’ experience in program management and/or tourism.
•   Experience working with children, youth, and/or community groups.
•   Demonstrated commitment to social justice/human rights/child rights
•   Experience with social research a plus.

Skills

•   Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
•   Highly computer and internet literate. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
•   Outgoing, flexible, and a quick learner. Passionate about human rights and justice.
•   Ability to work long hours, including some weekends.
•   High level of personal initiative and resourcefulness.
•   Intercultural relationship-building skills.
•   Knowledge of Ghanaian immigration procedures a plus.
•   Fluent in Fante or Twi required.

Location: Winneba

How To Apply For The Job

To apply for this position, please email the following to infoCHghana@gmail.com (applications not including all of the below will not be considered):

Closing Date: 23 August, 2013

•   A one page Cover Letter, detailing experience that is relevant to the position.
•   A CV/resume, including two professional references.
•   A Writing Sample of your own work which demonstrates effective written communication on a relevant issue.

Please use the title of the position as the subject of the email. Female candidates and graduates of UEW highly encouraged to apply. Ghanaian nationals only please. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as we hope to fill this position ASAP.