Role description

We are seeking a creative and dynamic education professional to work closely with our Head of Education to design an inspiring programme of environmental education and learning experiences for youth (aged 4-21 years) at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre (LWC). This programme should draw from our existing environmental education curriculum and materials but take a new and exciting approach to developing learning experiences ‘in nature’.

Please note: this post-holder will deliver the overarching concept and implementation plan for the new education programme but is not expected to deliver it (delivery will be undertaken by LWT’s existing education team).

Background

The belief that civic education and engagement can help turn the tide on Malawi’s environmental fortunes has driven LWT's work since the very beginning. To date, our Environmental Education Programme has worked with over 400 schools and reached over 175,000 children across the country. We have designed a suite of bespoke modules on everything from wildlife crime to deforestation and are currently working with the Government of Malawi to incorporate this content into the national primary-level curriculum.

LWT now has an exciting opportunity to pivot our environmental education work away from the classroom setting. Rather than aiming for widespread reach by working in schools across the country, we are now focusing on delivering high impact with a specific population at LWC. The LWC site covers 80-acres in the heart of Malawi’s capital city. It is home to the nation’s only wildlife sanctuary as well as a large expanse of indigenous forest, part of which has been developed to accommodate visitor facilities and attractions (e.g. walking trails, café, education centre etc.) and part of which is still an untouched ‘wilderness’ area. Over the last 12 months we have been redeveloping the LWC site to improve facilities for both visitors and wildlife. Part of this redevelopment has involved opening up part of the ‘wilderness’ area to transform it into a new education zone. This zone will include a number of new physical features including an education centre, playground, nature trails, amphitheatre, boardwalk and bridge. We now need to design an education programme that will use these new facilities – and the beautiful forest environment - to their full potential to inspire youth to learn about environmental challenges and develop positive relationships with nature.

Visit www.lilongwewildlife.org/redevelopment for more information on the LWC redevelopment project.

Roles and responsibilities

Working closely with our Head of Education…

• Develop a creative new programme of learning experiences at LWC, ensuring that the goals of the programme are aligned with LWT’s overarching mission to save wildlife, campaign for conservation justice and inspire people to value and protect nature.
• Include a diverse range of content including activities as well as other fun and practical ways of engaging children with the site’s natural assets e.g. materials, experiences, exhibits, games, competitions, scavenger hunts etc.
• Prioritise learning experiences that are based on exploration, discovery and sensory engagement.
• Liaise closely with other LWT teams that are designing new interpretive signage across the whole LWC site, to ensure that messages and themes in the new educational programme are consistent.
• Ensure that the programme includes new and innovative ways of reaching and inspiring audiences alongside ‘tried and tested’ methods; and ensure that, where possible, these methods are informed by audience insights and needs assessments.
• Review content from other similar settings and programmes to assess replicability for LWT.
• Explore partnerships with other organisations and individuals to leverage additional expertise and opportunities (e.g. partnering with local cultural and arts organisations to showcase some of their nature-based work, bringing in other local partners to run complimentary activities and events etc).
• Work with LWT staff to develop M&E methods to measure the impact of the new programme.

Outputs

• A report and PowerPoint presentation on the overarching concept for the new education programme. This should include the overall themes to be included, key learning points for different age groups, links to LWT’s programmes, and a summary of types of activities to be delivered. This concept will need to be approved by LWT management before further outputs are progressed.
• Detailed implementation plan outlining the content/equipment/learning points required. This should include a range of educational activities (with alternatives for different age groups) and should cover learning experiences that are delivered by an LWT tour guide / facilitator as well as experiences that are self-guided.
• Outline of scripts for guided tours for different age groups, including key messages to be conveyed.

Experience

• 5+ years’ experience designing educational content (ideally of an environmental nature) for youth
• Teaching qualification (desirable)
• Experience working outside of a classroom setting and designing hands-on learning experiences, i.e. using a ‘forest school’ approach
• Experience working in a Southern African setting (desirable)

Skills and attributes

• A dynamic and energetic approach to problem-solving, with a readiness to think ‘outside the box’
• An ability to clearly and concisely articulate a vision, both verbally and in writing, which will be crucial to securing buy-in for the proposed new programme
• A collaborative approach to concept / content development, with an ability to build on the existing knowledge and skills of other team members whilst also introducing new propositions and ways of thinking
• Eagerness to spend time at the site and ‘in nature’ to grasp a true feel for the physical environment
• Passion for nature conservation and education

Other notes

We are ideally looking for a candidate who is based in Malawi, given that they will need to have a strong understanding of the physical site. Applications from candidates who are willing to travel to Malawi will also be considered but travel costs will need to be carefully assessed in line with the available budget.

The specific timeline and renumeration package is flexible and will be discussed during the interview stage.

There is potential to extend this role to include an evaluation of the programme once delivery has commenced (i.e. 6-12 months later). To be determined on completion of this project.

More detailed information on LWT’s existing educational curriculum and content can be provided to individuals who are interested in applying.

How to apply

To apply for this role please email your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest and suitability to elaine@lilongwewildlife.org. There is no closing date; applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and accepted until a candidate has been appointed.

Job Email id: elaine(at)lilongwewildlife.org