Media Relations Officer
Arusha, Tanzania
AVI has negotiated this assignment in good faith with the Host Organisation, and the information
contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request.
However, while AVI takes responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and
arrangements are subject to change due to the inherent low levels of predictability in developing
country environments. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in
circumstances.
GENERAL DETAILS
Assignment Title
Media Relations Officer
Host Organisation
The School of St Jude
Website of Host Organisation
www.schoolofstjude.org
Duration of Assignment
18 Months
Start Date
6th August 2017
Pre-departure Briefing Date
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TBC
AVI Assignment Code
10534921
Australian Partner Organisation
N/A
HOST ORGANISATION OVERVIEW
History
St Jude’s was founded in 2002 by Australian Gemma Sisia, with the mission of “fighting poverty
through education.” Through the support of Rotary groups, friends and family, Gemma was able to
build the first classroom in the Moshono village in Arusha. Over the past years, through sponsorships
and donations, St Jude’s has grown in size to incorporate three campuses, two boarding facilities and
150 new students every year. St Jude’s started with just Year 1 students, but now educates to almost
1800 students.
Mission/Vision
The mission of The School of St Jude is to educate disadvantaged, bright students from the Arusha
region of Tanzania to become moral and intellectual leaders, and for St Jude’s to thereby demonstrate
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educational leadership in their community. St Jude’s provides a free, high-quality primary and
secondary education to almost 1,800 students with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty.
Beneficiaries
The main target group are impoverished families in the Arusha region, Tanzania.
Main activities
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To provide a free, high-quality education to the poorest students from Arusha, Tanzania.
To train academic and non-academic local staff through professional development programs.
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267 local staff and 18 International Volunteers
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ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
Good and quality education to children is one of the ways a country can make a step towards its
development strategies. The school works towards producing graduates who become role models in
their respective communities through promotion of creativity and leadership during the students’ time
of study at the school. The school has maintained a good relationship with AVI and has hosted 2 AVID
volunteers to date.
Mass and digital media are still a growing industry in Tanzania whereas professions in this field with
adequate experience, skills and knowledge are very few. The school needs a media relations officer
who will help improve and maintain a positive media coverage of the school through application of
proper and effective communication strategies.
Alignment: The assignment aligns with the Australian aid priority in Africa in producing highly
skilled/employable graduates.
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ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES
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To help in maximising positive coverage of the school on mass and digital media.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER
In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, volunteers complete a work plan in
the first three months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that
may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:
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Seek and facilitate media opportunities in Australia for The School of St Jude.
Update all communications including the St Jude’s blog and website
Discuss and sourcing media data that will be content for the schools monthly newsletter
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Write a wide variety of communications for print, TV, radio, and the Internet
Coordinate production of a variety of corporate and marketing communications
ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION
Line Manager
Marketing Manager
Hours & Days of Employment
From 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday
The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5-day week to a maximum of
40 hours per week.
Leave Entitlements
28 consecutive days includes weekends.
Sick leave; As per Tanzania Labour Law. 63 full pay / 63 half pay over 2 years. Doctor certificate must
be attached.
Other Conditions
The volunteer might be required to work on Saturdays, a maximum of 20 Saturdays per annum.
Language Skills and Level Required
Low: Polite social interaction & demonstrated attempt to learn
The Volunteer will need to reach this level through: Language skills from AVI language support & their
own effort while on assignment.
Language Support
AVI provides language support during the in-country orientation period. Most often additional
resources for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.
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LIVING AS A VOLUNTEER
The school of St. Jude is based at Moshono, located about 15 kilometres from Arusha town along
Arusha-Moshi road. Main mode of public transport is daladala (14 – 20 seater minibuses) which ply
their trade on all main routes in town. The daladalas are a cheap means of getting around but pickpocketing is very common on daladalas, especially on longer routes. Taxis are plentiful and cheap but
be sure to agree on fare before leaving for your destination. Larger buses ply the longer routes.
The school will provide transportation to the volunteer during assignment period.
Tanzanians are very hospitable and welcoming people. Family/social events like wedding, christening,
baptism and even meals, are big thing for local people and volunteers will be invited by their co-
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workers/neighbours to such events. Such events are good opportunity for bonding with local
community.
Women are advised to dress modestly; short skirt (above one's knees) is deemed inappropriate and
will attract unwanted attention in public places. For men short trousers are not acceptable in office
environment.
It is considered rude to give or receive something with a left hand or point to someone with index
finger.
Social & Recreational: TGT (The Heron) Club, Njiro Complex, Velocity Club,
Shopping: TFA Shopping centre (Nakumatt), Njiro Complex and Sokoine Road shops
Outdoor/Adventure: Hiking, safari, cultural visits
Volunteer will be able to;
 Access to Wi-Fi at the office
 Access to Laptop and maintenance services for the Volunteer
 Printing and photocopying services available at the office
St Jude has vehicles to be booked by staff for activities in the field. However a Volunteer with a valid
Driving License is encouraged as like with staff s/he can drive the office vehicle (as in the vehicle usage
and maintenance policy)
Coffee/Tea, Water plus provided at the office
In addition there are internet cafes in Arusha town where charges start at Tshs 1500 (about AUD 1) per
hour. In addition volunteer may opt for private connection using USB internet modem from mobile
phone providers. The modem is sold at Tshs 25,000. Each provider offers variety of options from daily,
weekly, monthly to unlimited bundles. Daily package starts at Tshs 500 and monthly at Tshs 20,000.
For people living in major towns like Arusha Moshi, TTCL network offers the best deal in terms of
package & speed
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ALLOWANCES & SUPPORT
These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in country. They will be reviewed periodically
and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of any change to the allowance level.
Living Allowance
AUD 1,200 per month
Accommodation Allowance
AUD 600 per month
Housing
The accommodation provided by the school consists of a private room with western bathroom, hot
water, bed, mosquito net, couch, coffee table, and cupboard
Other Allowances & Support
All AVID Volunteers receive the following:
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Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne
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In-country Orientation on arrival
Pre-departure vaccination expenses
Visa expenses
Pastoral care, assignment monitoring and security guidance
Return airfare to country of assignment
Psychological and medical advice and support services
Re-entry support services
Settling in allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
Re-settlement allowance (assignments longer than 6 months)
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION
Personal Circumstances Constraints
We are NOT able to accept applications from people with the following personal circumstances due to
security, cultural, legal or visa restrictions in this location:
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Applicants with accompanying children {due to factors like, difficulties in obtaining
accommodation, high cost of education (International schools), difference in curriculum
when one opts for the locals education}.
Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the AVID program may face
issues in applying for and being issued with a visa
Applicants with partners to whom they are not legally married and who wish to accompany
applicants as part of the AVID program may face issues in applying for and being issues with
a visa
Applicants with criminal convictions
Selection Criteria
Please begin by writing your responses to the following three questions, in a document headed Response to Selection Criteria:
a. Why do I feel that volunteering overseas is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?
(up to half a page)
b. What are the biggest personal adjustments I’m likely to have to make to be accepted as a useful
colleague and engaged community member in this assignment? (up to half a page)
c. How do I match the Essential Skills & Experience: Write a brief summary of your most relevant
experiences, results and achievements responding to each criteria in the Essential Skills & Experience
section of the Assignment Description.
To find out more details about preparing your application, please visit:
https://avid.avi.org.au/4-steps-to-volunteer/preparing-to-volunteer/
To find out more details about the personal competencies required to be a volunteer, please visit:
https://avid.avi.org.au/who-can-volunteer/personal-competencies/
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Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience
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Master’s Degree in in Mass communication, Public Relations, Marketing Journalism and other
related field.
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Advanced proficiency in Microsoft programs and HTML
Desirable Skills & Experience
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Extensive experience working in marketing or fundraising
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Demonstrated skills in identifying target audiences and devising marketing and
campaign strategies to engage, inform and motivate supporters
HOW TO APPLY
All applications must be submitted online. If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on
our website prior to applying.
Once completed, please visit www.avi.org,au, log in, select the assignment you are interested in and
follow the prompts at the end of the page.
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