Empowering African Nations Since 1981
International Educators for Africa
Special Request:
Djibouti – We are looking for an experienced IT person with a BA degree and fluent in French to work in Djibouti at the Ministry of Education training IT instructors.
Ethiopia – We are looking for an experienced (4-5 years) educator with a Masters degree in English to teach at the university level, and co-facilitate training for teachers of primary schools.
Starting Date: Immediately.
Please email bjewing@ifesh.org for more information. You can also contact our offices at the International Foundation for Education and Self-Help, 5040 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85254; (800) 835-3530; Fax no.: (480) 443-1824.
Primary school enrollments in African countries are among the lowest in the world. Education in most of Africa is adversely affected by limited funds and lack of adequate numbers of teachers, classrooms, and learning materials. Through our International Educators for Africa (IEFA) program, more than 1,000 American volunteer educators have been assigned to 15 countries, directly impacting more than 180,000 teachers who have, in turn, impacted the lives of millions of students since 1992.
We assign volunteers to work within African countries' local educational systems to assist in strengthening the quality of primary and secondary teaching methodologies within teacher training institutions, research institutes, universities, vocational training institutions and high schools, as well as to work within education ministries to support education planning and reform.
Health is an important component of the program and our volunteers focus on minimizing the impact of HIV/AIDS through introducing African teachers to HIV/AIDS curriculum.
Through sponsoring reading projects and strengthening parent associations, we increase parental involvement in education while helping school systems to become more accountable and responsive to the needs of the community and in accordance with their government policy.
The IEFA program is funded by the United States Agency for International Development under its American Educators for Africa program that focuses on increasing access to quality basic education in Africa through scholarships, textbooks, establishing teacher resource centers, collaboration with local NGOs and teacher-training projects. Additional support is provided by the World Cocoa Foundation, Mars, Inc. and other private sector entities.
Our volunteer educators work towards the development of learning modules that support the learning strategies in specific countries and communities linked to education reform, such as the promotion of teacher awareness in behavior change, child-centered learning, preventive health and girls' education.
Each year, we assign approximately 50 American volunteer educators to educational institutions throughout seven sub-Saharan African countries to assist in improving the quality of teaching and learning, and to influence behavioral change for sustainable educational reform. Our volunteer educators assist in pedagogical design, curriculum development, English as a Second Language, pre and in-service workshops, educational administrative management, improving and developing library resource centers, assisting in the development of training modules and advising the Ministry of Education on reviewing and improving their educational policy to meet their government's strategic goals.
Country Assignment Priority Areas
To be eligible for IFESH volunteer programs, you must:
1. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
2. Be a college graduate (advanced degree preferred).
3. Have three years of experience as a teacher, professor, or administrator, and meet the medical, legal, and security requirements.
In addition to a completed application, applicants must submit:
A cover letter, a resume, three professional or academic letters of recommendation, copies of college transcripts and a one to two-page typed essay. The essay should include your reasons for applying to volunteer, qualifications and experience for participation, and career objectives.
Assignments are filled based on requests from host countries and institutions for volunteers with specific skills. Complete the application and supporting materials as fully as possible to give yourself the best chance for consideration.
We are always happy to hear at any time from potential volunteers to our International Educators for Africa program. However, the deadline to apply for the 2011 - 2012 academic year is March 18, 2011.
