Lead Advocacy Trainer

Position: Lead Advocacy Trainer
Project: National Advocacy Training Program for Vietnam Library Staff
Organization: PMU of “IMPROVEMENT OF COMPUTER USAGE AND PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS ABILITY IN VIETNAM” project, VietNam Public-Utiliy Telecommunication Service Fund, Ministry of Information and Communications

To Apply: Please send CV and cover letter to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Van, email: [email protected], and/or Mr. Tran Ba Thai, email: [email protected] no later than COB 28 April 2011.

I. Project Overview
Public access to computers the Internet at Public Libraries or commune Cultural Post Offices can be the key to close the gap of information that is causing or increasing inequity in Vietnam. In order to explore this possibility, the Project “Pilot Improvement of Computer Usage and Public Internet Access Ability in Vietnam” was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and implemented by the Vietnam Public-Utility Telecommunication Service Fund (VTF) under the Ministry of Information and Communication in the 3 provinces of Nghe An, Thai Nguyen and Tra Vinh. The Project has been assessed as being successful and effective by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), the pilot provinces and other stakeholders. The Project has not only achieved the pre-set objectives but also created a useful and friendly environment for the local people to be computer and public Internet service users in the project sites. Assessment findings indicate that thanks to the intervention of this Project, local people gained easier and more effecive access to information.
Building on the success of the pilot Project, and according to the signed Agreement, the Project for the Expansion of “Improvement of Computer Usage and Public Access Ability in Vietnam” (the Expanded Project) funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), will be implemented in the 40 provinces of Vietnam by the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC), aims to create a useful and friendly environment for the local people to be computer and public Internet service users in the project sites.
Project Goal is “innovating Libraries and Cultural Post Offices using a new vision that focuses on impacting the poor, disadvantaged groups of people and those living in extremely difficult with opportunities to have equal, effective and sustainable access to information technology and socio-economic benefits from such access, thus improving their individual living conditions while contributing to their families, communities and the society as a whole”.
The intervention activities in the Expanded Project are structured to contribute to the achievements of the vision of the Public Library Network (PL) under the MCST and the vision of the Cultural Post Offices (CPOs) under VNPT of Vietnam over 2011-2015, which is “In the coming 5 year period over 2011-2015, the network of Public Libraries in Vietnam will be developed to be useful, friendly, equitable Centers of Education, Culture and Information, to facilitate life-long-learning of local people”.
In the implementation of the project, advocacy plays a vital role in ensuring the Project vision is shared and receiving supports and participation by others. The Advocacy component includes two aspects of communication and advocacy.  A vision of sucess for Advocacy component is to secure “adequate budget for PLs and CPOs with the applied technological services, librarians and CPO staff having stable jobs and capacity to deliver quality services to various community groups, who may have opportunities to improve their quality of life by access to information in these public sites”.
The Expanded project seeks lead advocacy trainers to assist its advocacy training team in customizing and delivering the Public Library Advocacy Training Program throughout Vietnam.
This position is to be a trainer for a Public Library Advocacy Training Program. An international advocacy curriculum was developed and needs to be customized and delivered in partnership with library and advocacy trainers to meet the needs and skill-level of local public library staff. The training will help public library staff build the confidence and skills they need to identify a library challenge that can be addressed through advocacy, identify an appropriate advocacy goal, and create and implement a simple advocacy plan to achieve their goal. 

II. Key Responsibilities
The Lead Advocacy Trainer will work with the Project to customize the Advocacy Training Program curriculum for local library staff in Vietnam.
The Lead Advocacy Trainer will also be responsible for training and managing local advocacy trainers who will deliver the advocacy training to librarians in communities throughout Vietnam. The Lead Advocacy Trainer may potentially participate in delivering the advocacy training to local librarians, in partnership with other trainers, depending on the final design of the Vietnam library advocacy training.

Job-related Responsibilities
Attend a “training of trainers” five-day meeting to learn about the library audiences for the advocacy training, the curriculum, and discuss training approaches. The training is scheduled for June 27-July 1, 2011, in the Washington, D.C. area.
Work in collaboration with the project advocacy training team and other trainers to adapt the training curriculum and material, so it is effective for the project’s audience.
Work in collaboration with the project advocacy training team and other lead advocacy trainers to develop a training-delivery plan in Vietnam.
Lead the training of local advocacy trainers who will deliver the advocacy training to local library staff.
Lead up to 12 in-person training workshops that are 90 minutes each to groups of library staff in  Vietnam over a period of 5 years in Vietnam.
Provide constructive feedback to the project advocacy training team and other trainers about training and areas for improvement.

III. Qualifications
Extensive experience leading training workshops and train-the-trainer activities addressing a range of sectors or topics.
Experience developing training curricula and materials.
Knowledge of advocacy in relation to community or civil-society organizations and activities.
References for 3-4 previous training programs conducted within the past two years. 
Demonstrated ability to motivate and manage diverse groups of training participants.
Demonstrated ability to think creatively and effectively when presenting curriculum, learning objectives, and course material.
Proven ability to speak clearly, concisely, and effectively; listen to, and understand information and ideas as presented verbally and in written form.
Demonstrated ability to work with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, respect, and professionalism.
Proven ability to quickly make decisions, address problems or conflict in training participant groups, and propose effective solutions in a group environment.
Experience working with public libraries is beneficial, but not required.
Fluency in English comprehension and speaking capabilities.

IV. Education & Professional Experience
5+ years of substantial experience as a trainer in the field of communications and/or advocacy within the realm of community services. Experience working with public libraries is beneficial, but not required.
Special consideration will be given to candidates that have strong experience with advocacy, communications, or NGOs.

V. Project Timeline
Lead advocacy trainers will begin work in June, 2011. On June 27, 2011 trainers will attend a week-long “training of trainers” event with the project. At this event, trainers will receive an orientation on the Advocacy Training Program, review and practice working with the training scripts and materials, and discuss best training delivery practices.

VI. Compensation
Compensation is commensurate with experience. Lead advocacy trainers will be compensated for the “training of trainers” event and for all local advocacy trainings.

VII. Application Instructions
To apply, please send CV and cover letter to Ms. Nguyen Thi Hai Van, email: [email protected], and/or Mr. Tran Ba Thai, email: [email protected] no later than COB 28 April 2011.