** The Recruitment process for 2010 has now ended. **

**New Extended Deadline for our 2010 Overseas Program: Friday, March 26th, 2010. All volunteer applications must be received on or before that date. **

We are accepting applications for 2 month and 5 month placements!

The application process for the 2010 Overseas Program has begun. We are looking to send highly motivated individuals looking for a chance to use their teaching or group coordination skills in a truly meaningful experience abroad. CEPAL offers a unique opportunity to learn about life in a Palestinian refugee camp, while working with children to improve their English skills through the arts.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

CEPAL Volunteer Application Form 2010 (REVISED)

Volunteer position: English Teacher

2 positions available

Please send your curriculum vitae, a letter of intention, your completed summer program application form, as well as 2 letters of reference by Friday, March 26, 2010 to:  info@cepal.ca

Program dates and duration:

Pre-departure orientation: 3 days in April

Overseas period: late June until late August OR late June until late November

Debrief: one weekend in September OR December/January

CEPAL works in partnership with local Palestinian NGOs in the camps; volunteers teach as part of their summer/after school programs. Although we focus on providing English classes, we are also looking for people who would be able to teach various other skills, such as music, art, media, journalism, computer skills, drama, social intervention, and life skills.  Depending on the needs identified by our partner organizations and the skills and experience of the volunteer, this position might also include helping with administrative duties or proposal writing.

Responsibilities:

Teaching:

CEPAL volunteers are required to facilitate activities for approximately four hours a day, Mondays through Fridays. Volunteers will be expected to work beyond their scheduled teaching to prepare adequately for their classes or workshops.

Administrative:

• Development of curriculum objectives
• Evaluating and maintaining relationships with partner organizations through periodic meetings and discussion of local needs
• Tracking expenses and reporting budgetary concerns to Overseas Program Director
• Completing regular narrative and financial reports for the Overseas Program Director
• Responsible for fostering new relationships with other organizations working with Palestinians, both in the camps and in Lebanon
• Liaising between partner organizations and the Overseas Program Director
• Responsible for contacting and maintaining regular communication with the Canadian embassy in Beirut

Other:

Additionally, volunteers are required to participate in: pre-departure orientation activities; one weekend of post-return debriefing; and two awareness-raising activities upon returning to Canada.

Desired skills:

• Experience with volunteer or group coordination in an international context
• Experience teaching English as a Second Language, preferably in an international context
• Experience with international project management and/or not-for-profit administration
• Strong leadership qualities
• Cultural sensitivity, flexibility, diplomacy, political astuteness
• Strong people, organization, communication and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work under stress and in difficult circumstances
• Ability to work with a team
• Knowledge of Arabic an asset
• Awareness of and interest in the historical, social, political and economic conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, as well as recent Lebanese and Palestinian history in general

Reporting:

Reports to CEPAL’s Overseas Program Director on all above-mentioned responsibilities.

Selection Criteria:

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be Canadian citizens/ permanent residents. Applicants must be able to attend all pre-departure events (interviews, group meetings, orientation, etc.).

CEPAL maintains high standards when selecting volunteers. We are looking for dynamic Canadians who love working with children, and who have the patience and enthusiasm to teach and work under difficult circumstances. Volunteers must be motivated and open to living in an environment where familiar comforts are absent, and prepared to deal with frustrating situations (such as cramped classrooms, sporadic electricity and resources, etc.) with patience and a smile. You do not need to be formally trained in teaching to be eligible for the CEPAL Program however you must be creative and able to adapt to the challenging teaching context of the refugee camps.  Crucially, we are looking to select emotionally mature individuals who are respectful and diplomatic in their dealings with different groups and cultures, and who show a strong interest in learning about new cultures.

We are looking for volunteers who are committed to CEPAL’s mission, and may take into consideration candidates’ willingness and ability to remain involved with CEPAL’s in-Canada fundraising and awareness raising activities following their return.

Costs to Participants:

Volunteers are required to fundraise $4000CDN prior to their departure for Lebanon. Volunteers may fundraise collectively or individually.

A non-refundable participation fee of $500 per volunteer will be due within two weeks of selection.

Additional Information:

• Volunteers will be asked to pass a full medical examination prior to departure, and must receive clearance by a police background check, including the vulnerable sector screen.
• Volunteers will receive a daily stipend in Lebanon to contribute towards food, water, and work-related travel expenses.
• CEPAL will provide the following: flight; travel and medical insurance (for the duration of the overseas segment); rent in the refugee camp (paid to Host Family or Host Organization).
• CEPAL will not pay benefits and the volunteer will not become an employee.
• In view of CEPAL’s governing behaviour, volunteers must remain at all times objective, non-political and non-partisan in speech and in behaviour. Volunteers must not engage in any political activities while in Lebanon.
• The CEPAL Program will carry through only if the security situation in Lebanon is deemed acceptable by CEPAL’s security standards.

CEPAL encourages people of all ages who reflect the diversity of this country to apply.

We thank you for your interest – only those invited to an interview will be contacted.