Employer: Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
Location: Africa
Closing : 30 October 2015
Review of the Risk & Security Management of Lattitude ICS Programming Work in South Africa
About VSO
VSO is an international development organisation that works through volunteers. Our volunteers and partners tackle the root cause of poverty at all levels of society by developing secure livelihoods, improving healthcare, strengthening education and facilitating ways for poor people to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. VSO continually assesses its portfolio of programmes and partnerships, a key part of which is to ensure that there is capacity and capability to work with, and embedding volunteers in delivering impact. This is core to making a substantial, sustainable impact. Doing this well requires a commitment and ability to continually learn and review our practices.
Introduction to ICS
VSO is funded by DFID to deliver the International Citizen Service (ICS) contract. ICS gives young UK adults, 18 – 25 year olds, the opportunity to volunteer, on a development programme overseas, alongside a national volunteer, with the aim of leading them into a life long journey of positive community action. ICS works in partnership with eleven established and respected UK development organisations to recruit volunteers and to identify suitable placements where their engagement can make a real difference. Volunteers are placed in projects run by these agencies in 25 countries.
Purpose and scope of this Review
In December 2014, two young women drowned while on an ICS placement with Lattitude in South Africa. Following the inquest findings (June 2015), the parents asked to meet with VSO, two senior members of staff met the parents of the young women. The parents firmly believe more could have been done to prevent these tragic deaths and that any deficiencies in this case may reflect wider failings in Lattitude’s management of risk. VSO takes the views of the parents very seriously and have decided to undertake this review into the circumstances of this tragedy. We expect that this review will inform VSO’s management of risk within the ICS programme.
As part of VSO’s continuous improvement of its management processes and its commitment to be a learning organisation; we are commissioning an external independent expert to lead the review and make recommendations.
This review will therefore consider the information available and questions regarding
Closing : 30 October 2015
Review of the Risk & Security Management of Lattitude ICS Programming Work in South Africa
About VSO
VSO is an international development organisation that works through volunteers. Our volunteers and partners tackle the root cause of poverty at all levels of society by developing secure livelihoods, improving healthcare, strengthening education and facilitating ways for poor people to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. VSO continually assesses its portfolio of programmes and partnerships, a key part of which is to ensure that there is capacity and capability to work with, and embedding volunteers in delivering impact. This is core to making a substantial, sustainable impact. Doing this well requires a commitment and ability to continually learn and review our practices.
Introduction to ICS
VSO is funded by DFID to deliver the International Citizen Service (ICS) contract. ICS gives young UK adults, 18 – 25 year olds, the opportunity to volunteer, on a development programme overseas, alongside a national volunteer, with the aim of leading them into a life long journey of positive community action. ICS works in partnership with eleven established and respected UK development organisations to recruit volunteers and to identify suitable placements where their engagement can make a real difference. Volunteers are placed in projects run by these agencies in 25 countries.
Purpose and scope of this Review
In December 2014, two young women drowned while on an ICS placement with Lattitude in South Africa. Following the inquest findings (June 2015), the parents asked to meet with VSO, two senior members of staff met the parents of the young women. The parents firmly believe more could have been done to prevent these tragic deaths and that any deficiencies in this case may reflect wider failings in Lattitude’s management of risk. VSO takes the views of the parents very seriously and have decided to undertake this review into the circumstances of this tragedy. We expect that this review will inform VSO’s management of risk within the ICS programme.
As part of VSO’s continuous improvement of its management processes and its commitment to be a learning organisation; we are commissioning an external independent expert to lead the review and make recommendations.
This review will therefore consider the information available and questions regarding
- The management of risk in relation to the drowning of the two young women at Woody Cape
- Issues in relation to the placement of ICS volunteers in Walmer Township, South Africa
- Lattitude’s management practice in relation to the safety and security risk of volunteers and employees
- As consortium leader, VSO’s management practice in relation to the safety and security risk of volunteers and employees
- A re-examination of existing information to provide assurance that necessary measures have been taken or to identify additional actions
Review outcomes
A written report which will be shared with key stakeholders
Any recommendations to strengthen practice should be made explicit
A presentation of findings to key stakeholders
Proposed Review Timeline
30 October 2015 Expressions of Interest due
20 November 2015 Investigator contracted
22 January 2016 Investigation draft report available; presentation to VSO Executive Board
VSO will facilitate access to any reports, volunteer, employee or other individual that is deemed necessary and appropriate.
For further information and expressions of interest please respond to:
xxxxxxxxxxxx@vsoint.org
Deadline for expressions of interest – Friday, October 30, 2015
30 October 2015 Expressions of Interest due
20 November 2015 Investigator contracted
22 January 2016 Investigation draft report available; presentation to VSO Executive Board
VSO will facilitate access to any reports, volunteer, employee or other individual that is deemed necessary and appropriate.
For further information and expressions of interest please respond to:
xxxxxxxxxxxx@vsoint.org
Deadline for expressions of interest – Friday, October 30, 2015