About Voices GY

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Voices GY is a registered Guyanese non-profit organisation, active since April 2018. Our mission is to strengthen social cohesion, cultural integration and human rights in the country through targeted projects and partnerships. As an organisation, we are founded on a community-based approach towards a more cohesive and inclusive Guyana. Previous projects have included English tuition for migrants and refugees; support through training and grants to migrant entrepreneurs; regional needs assessments on education and social integration; mental health support; social cohesion events; and multimedia productions on minority rights and cultures.

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Background​

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Without minimum English-language capabilities, refugees and migrants in Guyana are subject to increased vulnerability and exclusion in multiple areas. Important information pertaining to rights (including education, citizenship, employment, laws, etc.) is largely inaccessible, whereas the abilities of refugees and migrants to integrate effectively into Guyanese society and form networks of support is curtailed. 

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A recent survey of 187 individuals undertaken by Voices GY found that 56% of migrant parents identified difficulties with the English language as a barrier to their childrens’ education; whereas 40% declared themselves unable to communicate with their children’s tutors. Furthermore, 18% of respondents claimed to be discriminated against in their community and the same percentage declared that they did not have Guyanese friends. Language barriers are often one of the key cultural and communicational obstacles for integration and acceptance.

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About the role

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Voices GY has played a key role in providing language support in Guyana in recent years. Among the organisation’s key activities are the provision of ESL classes, free of cost, to refugees and migrants in Guyana since early 2019; representing the first course of its type to be implemented in Guyana. 

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As of April 2020, Voices GY has been implementing online classes to navigate the challenges of COVID-19. The first course, for 70 persons, was followed by the current course (supported by PADF and UNHCR Guyana) to extend tuition to 135 refugee children and adults. In the process, Voices GY has developed tailor-made curriculums and class materials; mobilised support from qualified international teaching volunteers; and developed accessibility procedures to support vulnerable migrants experiencing technical challenges. 

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The course, which now represents the largest of its type and most successful in the Caribbean region, is due to enter a new phase from January 2021 to cater to at least 165 adults and children. The online ESL volunteer teacher will play a key role teaching the classes online (twice a week) to refugees and migrants. You will be provided with the presentations and other resources, access to software and training (if needed). 

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This course is specifically to assist Haitian nationals in Guyana, in order to fill a gap in migration assistance to this vulnerable group.

 

You may expect to start in early June 2021.

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This is a volunteer position​

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Duties and Responsibilities

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-To deliver 10 weeks of English classes, twice a week.

-To provide verbal and written feedback to students on their level of English language ability.

-To assist students with a range of class-based and personal questions throughout the term.

-To write a short project summary report.

-To attend training, if needed.

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This is a volunteer position

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Requirements

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• 120-hour (minimum) ESL certificate and 1 year experience teaching ESL -OR-

• -At least 3 years' experience in ESL tuition.

• -Experience working in multicultural environments and with vulnerable persons

• -Demonstrable level of English fluency and Conversational French or Haitian Kreyol

• -Good interpersonal skills, accountability, punctuality and integrity

• -Availability to work week-day evenings and occasional half-days on the weekend.

• -MS Office (Word, Excel) basic knowledge (tables, reports, data management).

• -Ability to receive and send emails and use Google drive.

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Remuneration and benefits

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This is a volunteer position

Trainings in education and working with vulnerable communities.

To be part of an organisation who protect and support vulnerable communities.

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To Apply

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To apply, send the following documents to voicesgy@gmail.com by 12 midday on Friday 14th May. Applicants who fail to provide all documents will not be considered.

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• Cover Letter

• CV

• ESL certificate

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Voices GY is not only an Equal Opportunities Employer – diversity is at the root of all that we do and strive for. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply and enrich the work we undertake.