Work with the Malawi Prison Service to support the development and implementation of strategies that will increase skill levels and production among employees and prisoners, while reducing levels of HIV transmission
Placement reference code
M0496/0007/0001
What does the role involve?
Largely due to HIV&AIDs, an average Malawian is expected to live just 53 years (World Bank 2009). VSO Malawi has been working with Malawi Prison Services for the last six years supporting the service to strengthen the HIV&AIDS response for more than 12,000 prisoners in 28 prisons. Transmission of HIV among prison inmates is particularly high and often as a result of sexual abuse. This has led to widespread concern about the welfare of individual prisoners and the potential for this spilling over to the general population. The Malawi Prison Service aims to tackle this issue by equipping inmates with a range of technical and vocational skills needed in order to achieve sustainable rehabilitation. Working as the vocational skills development adviser you’ll undertake a general assessment of the Malawi Prison Service’s capacity to run vocational skills centres and support development, with a focus on encouraging self sufficiency.
Working with the Malawi Prison Service, you’ll support the development and implementation of strategies that will increase skill levels and production, while reducing levels of HIV transmission. To do this you will:
- analyse the current vocational skills activities set up and identify areas for improvement and expansion;
- develop opportunities and strategies for future vocational skills development of staff and inmates;
- support the Malawi Prison service to create strategies for prison gardens to develop skills for inmates and increase food production;
- lead prison staff through a self assessment process;
- analyse production capacities at prison vocational centres, existing capacity in marketing and production management of finished products, making recommendations where necessary;
- identify resources needed for improvement and develop a resource plan.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You’ll have substantial experience in technical, vocational and entrepreneurial skills development, ideally within a prison setting. You’ll have professional qualifications related to vocational skill training. You’ll have proven experience of analysing existing technical and vocational opportunities, while identifying potential developments. You’ll also be able to facilitate and lead a team of senior staff to critically examine the current situation and strategy. You’ll have a strong commitment to learning, have excellent communication skills and be flexible and adaptable to work with changing priorities.
And the rest...
You’ll be based in Zomba, a city in central Malawi situated at the base of the Zomba Plateau. Zomba is famous for its colonial architecture and wildlife including leopards and baboons. We’ll ask you to commit to at least 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local living allowance, return flights and accommodation. When you return to your home country, we'll support you to resettle.
