Volunteers / UMVIM

Armenia

Medical Clinic Reconstruction

UMCOR Armenia’s Medical Program requested UMVIM teams to assist in this project. Teams would work with local community volunteers to help rehab deteriorated clinic spaces.

Skills and experience required include, masonry, spackling (plastering), carpentry, painting, electrical, and plumbing for an old building in disrepair.

Time Frame: Spring and summer 2006

Alcoholics Anonymous Program Development

Work with UMCOR Armenia staff and local rehabilitation centers using the AA model and resources is needed in Armenia. An individual or small group of UMVIM are sought to work with UMCOR Armenia on this program idea. pre-travel work will be required (through email) to set up the project concept and implementation method including research done with AA in the U.S.

Skills and experience required in organizational development and management in AA programs.

Time Frame: Anytime in 2006.

Azerbaijan

Refugee Clinic Assistance

UMCOR Azerbaijan is seeking an Individual UMVIM who is a medical doctor to work with a United Nations High Commissioner on Refugees (UNHCR)-funded medical project.

The refugee clinic has two general practitioners, two pediatricians, and a gynecologist who would benefit from some coaching in practical, primary health care interventions and protocols. The UMVIM medical doctor would serve as a doctor-consultant to work side-by-side with the clinic physicians to provide individual coaching as well as conduct group training sessions.

Volunteers for this project must be medical doctors with primary health care experience.

Time Frame: The consultant doctor would need to serve 4-6 weeks starting in early 2006.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Proposal Writers

Individuals with experience in writing proposals to various donors are needed for the areas of food security, construction and rehabilitation of buildings and roads, ex-combatant reintegration, and education.

Time Frame: Opportunity is available now

Agricultural Volunteers

Individuals with agricultural experience and know-how are needed to work with UMCOR NGO staff in the DRC to assist with current projects and help develop new food security programs.

Skills and experience required: Agricultural education and experience in food production and animal husbandry. Good writing skills, adaptability to small farm needs for food sustainability.

Time Frame: Opportunity is available now

Girls' Education Program Mentor

Individuals or pairs sought to visit UMCOR-sponsored, remote village schools to provide mentoring to teen and pre-teen girls in the areas of health, hygiene, and the importance of education. Training girls to become junior-mentors to their peers will also be part of the work. Housing could be provided. Cook own meals. Transportation would be provided by UMCOR for job-related work. Volunteers must be FLEXIBLE, self-starters, willing to take on responsibility.

Skills and/or experience required: Must speak French. After-school program experience, Girl Scouting experience, good motivational skills, ability to travel within the DRC, ability to organize training sessions for adult women mentors and for girls.

Time Frame: 2006

Dominique Getliffe worked as an UMVIM for UMCOR Democratic Republic of Congo in 2004. Click here to read about his experience

Republic of Georgia Teach English English teachers are needed at the Tbilisi Youth House. The youth house offers educational, recreational, psychological, and conflict transformation programs. Skills required: English teachers, ESL instructors Experience required to lead English dialog classes would include ability to create a work plan that increases vocabulary use through topical classes that promote English conversation. Time Frame: spring, summer or fall 2006 for 2 to 4 months. Recreational, Cultural, and Peace Building Programming Organize a team to provide recreational, cultural, and peace building programs over a two week period at Tbilisi or Zugdidi Youth Houses. Art, drama, music, English dialogue, storytelling and peace building activities are excellent mission project possibilities with the young people at Georgia at the Tbilisi or Zugdidi Youth Houses. Skills Required: Youth workers, Sunday school teachers, music and drama experience (including puppets), art and arts & crafts experience, and people who love youth. This is a good opportunity to include UM youth in a mission trip. Time Frame: Summer 2006     Heidi Rankin worked as an UMVIM for the ATINATI Youth House in Zugdidi, Georgia in 2003/4. Click here to read about her experience     Susan Knipe worked as an UMVIM for UMCOR Georgia in 2003. Click here to read about her experience   United States – UMCOR NGO Professional Engineer for UMVIM Engineer Resource Team A professional engineer is needed to organize a qualified group of UMVIM civil/structural engineers and architects to provide professional support and conceptual back-up through technical expertise for structural project designs and/or necessary remedial works. Most of the input needed from the engineers would be done through email correspondence, rather than by visits to the field. UMVIM engineers or architects could provide their professional opinions on existing designs or submit their own designs for consideration in the process of developing projects. On-site visits by the UMVIM Engineers will be considered on a case by case basis. Once the engineer resource group has been established, UMCOR NGO will maintain contact with the professionals through direct requests for professional assistance as outlined and through informal contacts by the NGO staff in NYC and the field. Two-way communication between the NGO and the engineers will secure the support response to UMCOR NGO when it is needed. SUMMARY OF UMVIM ENGINEER BACKSTOPPING & SUPPORT TO UMCOR NGO: 1. Professional assistance provided through design reviews to confirm conformity to standards based on an area’s conditions, adjust the designs as needed or provide a new or revised design to meet the project’s needs. 2. Professional review of funding proposals to confirm accuracy of project design / implementation plan, and offering amendments or alternate ideas as needed. 3. Exploring on a case by case situation the potential need or desire for UMVIM engineers to make field visits during pre-project assessment, implementation or at completion of structural projects. PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Resume / CV Proof of professional certification Professional organization membership