UN Online Volunteers for Community-Based Approaches to Child Education and Welfare in Crisis Settings

Job Posting Organization:
Goodness and Mercy Missions (GMM) is a nonprofit organization based in Cameroon, founded in 200

• The organization has been recognized with Special Consultative Status by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 201
• GMM's mission is to break cycles of poverty and vulnerability through various initiatives, including education, women's empowerment, community development, and humanitarian relief. Their programs encompass school sponsorship, computer training, library services, school construction, solar energy distribution, peace building, and emergency assistance to families affected by crises. GMM operates primarily in the North West Region of Cameroon, focusing on community-driven services that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Job Overview:
The position involves mobilizing a team of academically motivated Online Volunteers to produce a structured comparative review of community-based early childhood education (ECE) models implemented across Sub-Saharan Africa. The goal is to identify viable design principles and delivery mechanisms that are suited to GMM's operating context in the Boyo Division and surrounding crisis-affected areas. This work is crucial in light of the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon, which has severely disrupted education and community structures. The Online Volunteers will contribute to strengthening the evidence base for GMM's ECE initiatives, thereby supporting the organization's mission to deliver culturally appropriate and community-driven services to children and families affected by crises. The volunteers will collaborate through a shared virtual workspace and report to GMM's program team, ensuring effective coordination and knowledge sharing throughout the project.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Online Volunteers will be organized into pairs, each responsible for specific components of the comparative review. The first component involves designing a clear framework for assessing community-based child education and welfare models, defining dimensions such as governance, learning, child protection, and financing. The second component requires conducting a structured literature review on community-based education in low-resource contexts, summarizing key findings and methodologies. The third component focuses on analyzing case studies from various countries, producing structured narratives that will contribute to a comparative matrix. The final component involves synthesizing findings from all previous components, developing recommendations, and creating visual representations of the data. All volunteers are expected to coordinate their efforts, hold weekly check-ins, and contribute to the final integration of the review, which will be approximately 6,000 to 9,000 words long, including an executive summary for practitioners and donors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, the ability to work collaboratively in a virtual environment, and a commitment to GMM's mission. They should have experience in research, particularly in education or community development, and be able to demonstrate familiarity with community-based approaches to education and welfare. Additionally, volunteers should be able to communicate effectively and manage their time efficiently to meet project deadlines.

Educational Background:
A background in education, social sciences, international development, or a related field is preferred. Candidates should have relevant academic qualifications that demonstrate their understanding of community-based education and welfare models, particularly in crisis-affected settings.

Experience:
Volunteers should have prior experience in research or project work related to education, community development, or humanitarian assistance. Experience working in crisis-affected areas or with vulnerable populations is highly desirable, as it will provide valuable context for the work being undertaken.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as all documentation and communication will be conducted in English. Knowledge of French or other languages relevant to the regions of focus may be considered an asset, enhancing the ability to engage with diverse sources and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This is a remote volunteer position, allowing individuals from various locations to apply. The duration of the assignment is not specified, but volunteers should be prepared to commit to the project for the necessary time to complete the review. The role is suitable for individuals seeking to gain experience in international development and contribute to meaningful work that supports children and families in crisis settings.