Online Volunteer for STEM and Sustainability Learning Resources

Job Posting Organization:
Goodness and Mercy Missions (GMM) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 by Teh Francis Yai, based in the North West Region of Cameroon. The mission of GMM is to strengthen rural communities by providing essential tools, skills, and opportunities to underserved populations, enabling them to build sustainable and resilient lives. The organization focuses on breaking cycles of poverty through education, economic empowerment, and community development, with a strong emphasis on long-term, community-driven impact. GMM was established from the founder's personal experiences growing up in a polygamous household with limited resources, which shaped its core priorities of empowering rural women and ensuring children's access to education. Since 2017, GMM has held Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), reflecting its commitment to international standards in humanitarian and development work. GMM's programs include school sponsorship, women's empowerment, computer training, library services, school construction, solar energy distribution, peace building, and relief aid delivery. The organization operates primarily in the Boyo Division of the North West Region, with activities extending to the West, South West, Littoral, and Centre Regions of Cameroon. GMM's core values include participatory strategy, sustainability, equity and non-discrimination, accountability, partnership cooperation, empowerment, and inclusion. Through partnerships with representative organizations and online volunteer support, GMM seeks to leverage global expertise to develop community-based, culturally appropriate programs that can be implemented by local staff and community facilitators on the ground.

Job Overview:
GMM is seeking six Online Volunteers to create a practical STEM and sustainability learning resource pack for its community education initiatives. The goal is to assist local facilitators in explaining everyday science, responsible resource use, and basic data concepts to young people. The materials will be designed to utilize low-cost activities, be written in plain English, and be available in printable or small-file formats that do not require specialized equipment or continuous internet connectivity. The resource pack will consist of six thematic modules that follow a shared format, allowing GMM to combine and adapt them as needed. Over a period of twelve weeks, volunteers will be responsible for researching and drafting their respective modules, ensuring the reproducibility of activities or calculations, revising materials in collaboration with GMM staff, and preparing reusable files for handover. The topics will connect technical knowledge with everyday learning rather than delving into advanced engineering concepts. GMM will provide confirmation of learner ages, available materials, and local relevance during the onboarding process. It is important to note that volunteers will work entirely online and will not be required to conduct site visits, build equipment, perform safety inspections, or contact community members.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Each of the six Online Volunteers will develop one module of the shared learning resource pack. Volunteers can express their preferred component, and GMM will allocate modules based on relevant skills. The specific tasks for each volunteer include: 1) Everyday science and simple engineering: Develop a module explaining basic concepts such as forces, simple machines, or energy conversion, and prepare four safe paper-based or everyday-material activities with clear explanations and expected observations. 2) Energy and environmental literacy: Create a module on energy sources, responsible energy use, and environmental trade-offs, using reliable institutional sources to explain key concepts without assuming technical knowledge. 3) Learning to read data and charts: Develop a module on interpreting counts, percentages, and simple charts using a small public aggregate dataset, including a spreadsheet annex with documented formulas and labelled charts. 4) Climate awareness and practical resource use: Create a module linking basic climate concepts with feasible resource-saving choices, preparing scenario-based activities and a facilitator run sheet. 5) Digital skills for accessing learning resources: Develop a module on finding, saving, and organizing useful learning materials, including activities on purposeful searching and sensible file organization. 6) Water and waste awareness: Create a module explaining simple water conservation and waste-reduction concepts using household examples, preparing observation or sorting exercises and a visual handout. Each volunteer will produce a complete thematic learning module, including activity cards, learner handouts, a facilitator guide, a source note referencing reliable public sources, and a presentation for facilitator use. GMM will provide a common editable template and confirm the audience and topics during onboarding. Volunteers will be responsible for their own modules, submit weekly updates, and revise their work based on staff feedback, with GMM staff supervising all volunteers and assembling the final resource pack.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires volunteers to have relevant skills and experience in education, communication, computing, or related fields. Specific qualifications may vary depending on the module being developed, but a strong understanding of the subject matter and the ability to create engaging educational materials are essential. Volunteers should be able to work independently, manage their time effectively, and communicate clearly with GMM staff throughout the project.

Educational Background:
While there are no strict educational requirements, a background in education, environmental studies, science, or related fields is preferred. Volunteers should possess the ability to convey complex concepts in an accessible manner and have experience in developing educational resources or materials.

Experience:
Volunteers should have experience relevant to the module they are developing. For example, those working on the everyday science module should have a background in basic physics or engineering concepts, while those focusing on environmental literacy should have knowledge of energy sources and environmental issues. Experience in teaching or facilitating learning is also beneficial, as it will help volunteers understand how to create effective educational materials that resonate with young learners.

Languages:
While the job posting does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential for creating materials in plain English. Additional language skills may be beneficial, especially if volunteers are familiar with local languages spoken in the communities served by GMM, as this could enhance the accessibility and relevance of the educational materials.

Additional Notes:
The position is entirely remote, allowing volunteers to work from anywhere. The duration of the project is twelve weeks, during which volunteers will collaborate with GMM staff and other volunteers. This is a volunteer position, and while it may not offer financial compensation, it provides an opportunity to contribute to meaningful community education initiatives and gain valuable experience in developing educational resources. Volunteers will have the chance to work with a reputable nonprofit organization and make a positive impact on the lives of underserved populations in Cameroon.