The Living Heritage Trust of Sri Lanka is dedicated to the conservation of Sri Lanka’s unique cultural heritage and traditional wisdom. LHT has recently started to operate a new venture in Koslanda, one of the most beautifully situated towns in Sri Lanka. The aim of the project is to leverage the natural assets and traditional working practices of the region, providing access to new skills and better markets.

The project will improve the living standards of this rural community, and arrest the destructive farming practices and urban migration that are gradually destroying the community. Several projects are being initiated including computer and English literacy classes, development of organic farming and specialist agricultural products, livelihoods work using sustainable local materials and small tourism ventures.

We are currently seeking a computer teacher to join a small team of volunteers in our Koslanda office.

Job Description

Class organisation
Several groups in Koslanda and the outlying communities have expressed an interest in learning computer skills. Potential students include children, teachers, local youth and adult workers. Your first task will be to set up the class groups in co-ordination with our local team, and arrange times to meet. This task should not be too onerous; we simply need a dedicated member of staff to do it! You will be working out of the Rural Community centre who will receive a fee for hosting the classes.

Preparation of curriculum
As you will be the first computer teacher in this town, you will have to set the curriculum for each of your class groups. Abilities will be mixed, some will have a basic working knowledge of computers, others less. You will also have to assess the level of English to determine the complexity of the lesson. You may also need to manage the purchase of teaching materials and present accounts for this. You can teach any of the following useful programmes; Microsoft Excel, Photoshop, PageMaker, internet usage, and website development. We also require the curriculum to have a practical element; the value of information and the internet as a research tool, the practical advantages of using excel for company accounts even for small farmers, the use of email for speedy communication, typing skills and letter formats for business communication.

Conduct of lessons
You will be expected to carry out 8-10 hours of lessons a week depending on demand. You will also be asked to be available in the rural community centre to advice drop in clients. Extra time will be spent planning lessons.

Website development
The Living Heritage Trust manages a large network of websites that need to be constantly updated. You will be asked to work with the Webmaster in maintaining and updating these sites.

Experience and Skills

Essential

• Some experience of lesson planning and teaching.
• Excellent written and spoken English
• An excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office programmes
• Comfortable working in cross-cultural environments
• Independent worker
• Good people skills and organisational skills
• Flexibility and creativity in problem solving
• Experience of developing websites.

Desired

• Previous experience teaching computers, particularly to foreign students
• A good knowledge of useful programmes external to Microsoft Office
• Some knowledge of spoken Tamil or Sinhalese
• Previous experience working overseas
• International bike license.

DOWNLOAD the complete job description as a Word document.