Sign In to Join this Hub

South Asia Volunteer Opportunities

SANTULAN - Community Health and safety Coordinator

Posted by Todd Houstein to SANTULAN, 5th March 2010, 10:05am
Location: , India Link to google map
Applications close 5th April 2010


Partner Description

Santulan (‘Social Animation Towards Liberative Action’ ) also means ‘balance’ referring to the balance between community development and collective Mobilisation. The organisation was started by a young and dynamic couple Pallavi and Bastu Rege in 1998 at Pune in Maharashtra to organize the stone-quarry workers in the neighbouring areas to improve their living and working conditions. Santulan now has 19 paid staff including working with unions, in education programs and women’s empowerment.
Santulan with stone quarry worker community
Santulan also fund 150 teachers who teach 2583 students in schools within the stone quarry workers communities. Most of the quarry-workers come from what is known in India as ‘Nomadic Tribes’ and include some of the most disadvantaged.
 Santulan’s areas of operation currently include:
  • Mobilisation of stone-quarry workers through their unions
  • Education for miners’ children
  • Training and capacity building of leaders
  • Organising self-help groups for women
  • Livelihood and income generating programs
  • Policy and advocacy on mining related activities
 

Project Background

  As part of their support of the stone quarry worker community, Santulan are currently looking for an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Officer to support their work. OHS issues are varied at the mine site due to a relatively hazardous working environment and lack of safety controls. Issues include manual handling, lack of PPE and safe work practices, high incidents of TB and silicosis, limited access to fresh water, lack of first aid, lack of training, unsafe mining practices, dust and noisy work conditions. Specifically the volunteer will be required to:
  • Work with Santulan and worker representatives to raise awareness and develop  appropriate procedures to manage OHS issues at Santulan affiliated quarries.
  • assist Santulan staff implement OHS procedures at Santulan affiliated quarries to make them a safer place to live and work.
 


Activities include:
  • Undertaking an OHS needs assessment in consultation with Santulan staff, union members and the community.
  • Assess the OHS environment at key quarry sites and compile available statistics around OHS (accidents, hazards, health complaints etc) including identifying benefits of improved OHS
  • Identify appropriate options/actions to improve OHS based on identified needs, site assessment and available resource
  • Liaise with mine owners on OHS and identify benefits of a safer work environment
  • Develop an OHS management plan in collaboration with Santulan staff
  • Assist Santulan staff in developing and delivering appropriate training material for quarry workers community
  • Evaluate training outcomes and determine the changes in OHS performance
The volunteer will be based primarily in the Santulan Office in Pune, but will conduct regular field visits to quarry sites with Santulan staff; concurrently with the EWB Water Supply Co-ordinator.
 

Timing

The role consists of three important phases beginning June 2010, including a 12-month field secondment in Pune, India commencing in August 2010.
 

Phase 1: Pre-departure –  June 2010

  • Bastu from Santulan Pre-departure preparation (medical clearances, training, administrative)
  • Linking with the Australian based EWB project team if required for the project
  • Linking with a local EWB chapter to enhance your resources and support networks and create opportunities for sharing your experience with members
 

Phase 2: Field operations – August 2010

  • Departure to host country and partner organisations
  • Undertaking specific role within partner organisation
  • Linking with EWB Field Officers to develop appropriate ‘Learning & Change’ materials to share with EWB members and partner organisations
 

Phase 3: Post field alumni – 2011

  • Return to Australia to collaborate with the project team, knowledge hub (if relevant( and with an EWB chapter for a minimum period of 12 months
  • Participate in various EWB events including the National Conference and intake presentation evenings
  • Participate in the development and dissemination of ‘Learning & Change’ materials within the EWB community
  • Mentor future field volunteers preparing to work with the partner organisation
 

Applications

Please complete the volunteer application form and attach a statement addressing how you meet the selection criteria. We cannot assess applications that do not address the selection criteria.

Applications close on Monday 5th April 2010.

Please complete and return applications to the South Asia Program Co-ordinator by email to Ian Cunningham (see address below), with 'CWS' as the subject title. Or post to the EWB National Office, PO Box 79, Elsternwick VIC 3185.

Please DO NOT attach CVs, references or any other documentation. For more information contact Ian Cunningham at the National Office:
Email: i.cunningham   *at*    ewb.org.au
Ph:+61 3 9696 9040
Fax:+61 3 9696 9034

Criteria

Essential

  • quarry workersRelevant tertiary degree or practical experience
  • Demonstrated experience in site based OHS management and communicating OHS practices with range of stakeholders
  • Understanding of the benefits of a safe work site for all stakeholders
  • Ability to be flexible and adaptable in project approach
  • Ability to communicate to a range of stakeholders
  • Experience in data collection and management
 

Desirable

  • Experience working overseas or in remote or challenging environments
  • Cultural sensitivity
  • Hindi language skills
  • Formal qualifications in first aid and/or OHS
  • Experience working in a mining (or similar environment)
  • Experience working with children (the Santulan works a lot in schools and has school and childrens home attached to it’s office)
 

Personal

  • Emotional maturity

Additional Secondment Information

 

Allowances

  • Volunteers will receive an allowance for living and basic accommodation.
  • Volunteers will be provided with airfares at the commencement and completion of the placement, plus basic travel insurance and emergency evacuation insurance.
 
Confirmation of secondment is subject to:
  • Formal approval from EWB and the partner organisation.
  • Procurement of visa and work permits.
  • Satisfactory completion of a first aid certificate.
  • Satisfactory participation in a pre-departure briefing run by EWB (in July 2009)
  • A satisfactory medical examination of the applicant.
  • A satisfactory criminal record check of the applicant and accompanying adults by the Australian Police.
 
EWB adheres to statutory laws in Australia and foreign countries regarding child exploitation, child pornography and the abuse of children. We are committed to the protection of children from all forms of harm.

Additional Partner Information

www.santulan.org
www.youtube.com/user/EWBAustralia


There are currently no comments.



Please log in to post a comment