What’s the context and purpose of the role?

VSO are working in the education field in Mongolia to make education provision more inclusive. Volunteers are working with education managers, teachers and social workers to provide them with the skills necessary to include disabled children in education. This work has lead to the development of a National Inclusive education curriculum which is now used on teacher training courses. Your placement will focus on the early detection of cognitive disabilities. You’ll play a key role in developing early diagnosis tools, working with other specialists and key stakeholders. You’ll need to use international best practice, but most be able to work within the context of Mongolia’s situation. By providing teachers, parents and other education professionals with the skills to identify affected children at an early stage, their needs can be met in the classroom, allowing these children to continue their education.

What does the role involve?

• Developing early detection and diagnosis tools for cognitive disabilities.
• Developing a training curriculum and manuals on cognitive disabilities for health professionals, government officials and families.
• Working with other specialists to create a resource centre for the early diagnosis and detection of cognitive disabilities.

What skills, experience and personal qualities are needed for the role?

Educated to degree level in a relevant discipline, you’ll have over 2 years experience working with children with cognitive disabilities, either as an early childhood adviser or psychologist (within education or health setting). You’ll have experience of providing early diagnosis and detection of cognitive disabilities such as cerebral palsy, autism and Downs syndrome in children. Ideally you’ll have been working in an environment where you were reviewing and developing existing methodologies. You’ll be comfortable training and mentoring others and will have a patient, approachable and flexible manner of working.

And the rest…

You’ll be based in the Capital Ulaanbaatar, where you’ll be provided with an apartment in one of the many blocks in the city. You’ll find the contrast between the city and the surrounding landscape astounding. In Ulaanbaatar you’ll find everything you need in terms of activities, food or shopping. The Narantuul Market (often called the black market) is a large popular market in Ulaanbaatar where you can find, and bargain for, a great variety of household goods, clothes, carpets, food, furniture, jewellery, artifacts and animals. By contrast, the rural areas often have very scarce resources and when travelling the country you’ll do well to bring anything you need with you.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12 - 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local salary, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll help you to resettle and many of our returned volunteers stay involved with us long after their placement ends.

If you are interested in this post please contact Elen Cook, International Liaison Manager ecook@rcpsych.ac.uk / 020 7235 2351 ext. 6136