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Speech Therapy Curriculum Technical Mentor Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This assignment has been negotiated in good faith with the Partner Organisation, and the information

contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request.

However, while we take 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 This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances.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 Speech Therapy Curriculum Technical Mentor

Partner Organisation Organisation to Improve Communication and swallowing therapy services in Cambodia (OIC Cambodia)

Website of Partner Organisation www.oiccambodia.org

Duration of Assignment 12 months

Start Date 19 Nov 2019

1. PARTNER ORGANISATION OVERVIEW

OIC Cambodia began as a project in 2013 within local disability organisation CABDICO. Our 2013

situational analysis showed an overwhelming lack of direct services, awareness, or advocates for

the conservatively estimated, 600,000 Cambodian people with communication and swallowing

difficulties. OIC Cambodia has since focused its activities on lobbying government and society

leaders to better understand the need for speech therapy and networking with Education

departments and institutions to find ways to establish a Cambodian speech therapy profession.

Direct speech therapy has been piloted in a variety of contexts and well as significant training in

education and rehabilitation sectors. We passionately believe the most sustainable strategy to

meeting the needs of the Cambodian population over the long term, is a government recognised,

high quality, culturally relevant, university qualified, Cambodian Speech Pathology profession.

This is reflected in our organisational exit goal of 100 Cambodian university qualified speech

therapists are integrated into Cambodia’s public sector by 2030.

2. ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Due to the fact there are no qualified Cambodian Speech Therapists in Cambodia, we need

foreign expertise to develop this work. Progress of Speech Therapy university course over the

past two years has been slow due to the establishment of OIC strategic and management

structure. A more dedicated position is required to advance the development of the university

course and the profession of speech therapy. Through gathering experiences and feedback from

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Vietnam, and Cambodia, we are currently deciding on the best approach regarding the course,

and are considering piloting specific modules withing a Bachelor degree with Cambodian

education institutes. A University advisory group consisting of academics from Australia, US, Sri

Lanka, India and Cambodia was established in March 2018. This group will contribute curriculum

and research development support to the coordinator and management staff.

Nb: The academic year in Cambodia is approximately from Oct – June.

3. ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES

To ensure the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment in the course of your work with the partner organisation and host community, including implementing strategies that relate to:

a. promoting gender equality and empowering women, b. disability inclusion, and c. child safeguarding.

To develop speech therapy university full course curriculum and course outline with clear strategy approach for unit and resource sustainable development.

Coordinate the collation to conduct research and identify resource development through various sources and in conjunction with the organizational program team adapted for the Cambodia context.

4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER

In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, Australian volunteers

complete a work plan in the first three (3) months of their assignment. The duties below are an

indication of the type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives:

Design academic program for 4 year bachelor degree and identify options for modular delivery

Develop and/or maintain partnerships with local, regional and international organisations, local and national government, professional and peer networks. Pursue relationships with OIC existing networks and further afield to link with other speech therapy courses in Asia.

Contribute to relevant research projects required for the university course curriculum/development

Through existing networking, explore alternate pathways for secure one or multiple sources of long-term funding for the university course in collaboration for Cambodian people to become speech therapists.

Pilot delivery and evaluation of 2 curriculum modules of the speech therapy program

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5. SELECTION CRITERIA

Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience

Tertiary qualification in speech therapy and subsequent post-graduate qualifications

Clinical Speech Therapy experience

Academic institution experience – lecturing and academic program development

Masters or Phd relevant to speech therapy or education

Professional membership of relevant national speech therapy associations and academic boards and bodies

Demonstrated success at building working relationships in cross-cultural contexts

Demonstrated indepth understanding of undergraduate speech therapy student learning needs and current teaching principles

Speak at least one language other than English and desire to learn Khmer

Commitment to team work, coaching, and mentoring others

Awareness and sensitivity of cross-cultural settings

Highly developed communication and inter personal skills including self-awareness, patience, tolerance and flexibility

Ability to cope with cultural isolation and a different standard of living

A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment

Proactive, lateral-thinking, solutions-focused

A reflective, humble, learning-focused team player

Committed to gender equality, children protection and disability inclusion

Desirable Skills & Experience

Experience managing and developing Speech Therapy student placements

Experience working in Cambodia

Project management or development experience

6. ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Line Manager

Program Manager

Staff Supervision

N/A

Working Relationships

The volunteer will work closely with our Khmer program staff and international therapists

working on other project activities. We anticipate we will employ a Khmer project officer to

work specifically on this university course development as our work gathers momentum. This

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project is guided by international and locally based advisory groups who are helping OIC

develop a quality program in Cambodia.

Hours & Days of Employment

From 8:30 am to 5 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

All volunteers are entitled to 20 days leave per 12 months, unless otherwise advised.

Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

Professional indemnity insurance is not provided for Australian volunteers. You should

consult your partner organisation about the need for professional indemnity insurance for

your role prior to your departure, and where required, you are advised to obtain adequate

professional indemnity insurance from a reputable insurance provider.

Note: A volunteer must not act as a medical practitioner without adequate professional/medical indemnity insurance. This must be provided by the partner organisation, Australian organisation (if applicable) or self-arranged by the volunteer.

This applies to all clinical medical activities undertaken by midwives, nurses, doctors, paramedics, physiotherapists etc.).

Other Conditions

If required to work after hours, volunteer is entitled to time off in lieu because there is no

overtime pay provisions.

Language Skills and Level Required

Preference English speaking, and desire to learn Khmer language

Language Support

Language support is provided 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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7. LIVING AS A VOLUNTEER The local services is very accessible in Cambodia. The volunteer can find a very friendly and low cost spending on local transportation with variety options through online travel booking apps (Grap or Passapp) or riding their own bike (more road safety if compare to driving car or motor bike). The communication cost is also cheap and good connection which cost from 5 US dollar per month to get free internet and local call. Wifi is very good and free accessible at office, or coffee shops that can make them stay connect with their friend and family at home. Food is very easy to find in Cambodia with different options, good prices and taste! For those coffee lover, you can find a good coffee from 0.75$ per cup! Security is also well manageable by own self and very safe at day-time, and night with their trust companionships. This assignment will work closely with our Khmer program staff and international therapists working on other project activities. To ensure the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment, we anticipate with all key relevant children and people with disabilities in the host community or implementing stakeholders to work specifically on this university course development as our work gathers momentum. This project is guided by international and locally based advisory groups who are helping OIC develop a quality program in Cambodia. The security check and culture orientation will also friendly provide by our program manger; Ruth Bryce to ensure all safety check and protection, as well as to bring a mutual understanding in both Cambodian and team culture.

8. ALLOWANCES & SUPPORT

These allowance levels are based on the Cost of Living in the host country location. Allowances

will be reviewed periodically and may increase or decrease. Volunteers will be given notice of

any change to the allowance level.

Living Allowance

AUD 1,100 per month

Accommodation Allowance

AUD 553 per month

Housing

Assistance with the identification of suitable, secure and affordable accommodation will be

provided by the In-Country Management Team.

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Other Allowances & Support

All Australian Volunteers program volunteers receive the following:

Pre-departure Briefing in Melbourne

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)

9. PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION

As a part of your online application you will be required to answer the following questions

through a video recording (if you are unable to submit through the online video due to

accessibility please contact the Recruitment Coordinator).

Response to Selection Criteria

a) Why do I feel that volunteering internationally is the right thing for me to be doing at this time in my life?

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?

c) The Australian Volunteers Program is committed to ensuring the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment, such as the partner organisation and host community. What is your personal experience and/or understanding of social inclusion.

d) How do I match the Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience? Include your most relevant experiences, results and achievements responding to each of the selection criteria in Section 5.

Personal Circumstances Constraints

The Australian Volunteers Program recognises and values the enhanced skills and expertise of

returned volunteers as a result of their volunteering experience. The program is also designed

to maximise international volunteering opportunities for all Australians. With this in mind, if a

returned volunteer and a candidate who has not volunteered previously apply for the same

role, preference will be given to the latter, providing they meet the personal and professional

selection criteria for the role.

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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Same sex partners who wish to accompany applicants as part of the 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 program may face issues in applying for and being issues with a visa.

Applicants with a criminal record where a criminal conviction may be relevant to the inherent requirements of the assignment.

10. HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be submitted online through the Australian Volunteers Program website.

If you haven’t already done so, you will need to register on our website prior to applying.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply for this assignment.