WORK WITH US
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Formal employment is open only to Liberian and ECOWAS citizens, and preference will be given to providing local employment opportunities where possible. We offer all our staff benefits, professional training opportunities, and options for career growth. We value diversity and equality, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Come join our team!
CURRENT VACANCIES
There are no current vacancies.
GENERAL EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
If you’d like to be considered for any roles that arise in future, please send application letter, curriculum vitae, and copy of relevant qualifications by email to ourschoolliberia@gmail.com. CV for teaching roles must detail all previous teaching experience. Only candidates short-listed for an interview will be contacted.
Successful candidates will be required to supply a police clearance, copy of their national ID card, and at least two professional references (including the most senior staff member at their most recent place of employment) prior to commencement.
VOLUNTEERING WITH US
COME JOIN US IN LIBERIA: Video by Art Gajda, ThinkFarm Productions
WHO CAN VOLUNTEER
We welcome volunteers from around the world with relevant expertise that they’re happy to share with our team.
There is no shortage of work on our school campus, but if you’re thinking of volunteering it is wise plan ahead how you want to spend your time in Liberia. Staff will welcome your expertise and input, but we recommend taking a long term approach to the time you spend volunteering: while you may only be in the country for a short time, how can you maximise the impact you make and the skills you can provide? The best thing to do is think about what you’d like to try and achieve while in Liberia and discuss this with the project manager. There are no structured programs for volunteers at LREC. As a small project, we encourage independence on the part of our volunteers, but are able to provide great flexibility for those with the right attitude.
Many of our volunteers have teaching experience and use this to great effect in the classroom and/or in 1-1 learning experiences. Outside of the classroom there are opportunities in areas such as sport, agriculture, mechanics, construction/maintenance and administration.
Only limited volunteer placements are available at any given time, and these will be reserved for those who are most compatible with the school’s outlook and needs. Generally we encourage an online video call prior to joining the project as a way of understanding your motivations and seeing if the project is ‘right’ for you. We love to welcome volunteers, but also need to ensure that they bring valuable skills and are willing and able to adapt to the needs of the project and the lifestyle in Liberia.
All volunteers must be over the age of 18, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at time of travel. We can accommodate groups of up to four people.
Child Protection
All volunteers are required to obtain and provide a copy of a working with children check or police clearance from their home country prior to volunteering at our school. They are also required to read, sign and comply with our school Child Protection Policy.
COSTS
We do not charge fees to our volunteers. However, there are a number of costs associated with travel.
Volunteers are asked to cover:
Flights
Visas
Insurance
Vaccinations and medications
Meals (except breakfast and lunch on school days which may be eaten in the school cafeteria)
Mobile phone and internet costs
Any travel and/or accommodation outside of the LREC guesthouse
We provide:
Airport transfers
Accommodation in the school guesthouse
Breakfast and lunch on school days
FLIGHTS & VISAS
Only a small number of airlines offer flights to and from Liberia’s main airport (Robertsfield). For volunteers coming from America and Europe, Brussels Airlines is recommended. While Royal Air Maroc is an option, there have been reports of service issues and lost luggage by other users in Liberia, so it is not recommended. There are also limited flights available with Kenya airlines.
All citizens of non-ECOWAS (West African) countries require a visa to enter Liberia. Please allow that the process can take several weeks. Visas generally cost around US$100. To obtain a visa you will need to get a yellow fever vaccination and appropriate certification; you may also be required to show this information on re-entry to your home country. Be aware that this vaccination can take 4-6 weeks to arrange (depending on the availability of your nearest travel doctor) and should be done well in advance as it takes 10 days before considered effective.
As a general rule, to obtain a visa you will need to provide:
· 2 passport sized photographs
· A copy of your yellow fever vaccination certificate
· A photocopy of your passport
· Your passport
· A completed application form (available from your nearest embassy or consulate)
· A letter of invitation from the Project Manager at our school
· The application fee
· A self-addressed, postage-paid envelope for return of your passport (if completing by post rather than in person)
Accommodation & FOOD
International volunteers are invited to stay in our guesthouse. The house has shared kitchen and living facilities, three private bedrooms and two bathrooms. The kitchen is well equipped, and comes with a gas stove and oven, as well as a fridge and freezer. There is potable running water (cold only) and limited electricity from our solar system 24 hours a day. The guesthouse also has a washing machine.
Liberian food is simple, spicy and seldom served without rice, plantain and/or cassava. During your time with us you will be able to try a variety of local foods in the school kitchen, and are able to have breakfast and lunch in the cafeteria on school days without charge.
Volunteers are expected to provide for their own food outside of the cafeteria. There is a local market approximately 2km from the school which sells a limited variety of local fruit and vegetables, but there are also large western-style supermarkets and a range of restaurants in and around Monrovia (around 20km from the school). Generally, volunteers are invited to share meal preparation with other residents in the guesthouse, but you are welcome to cook and eat solo. If you have a specific diet (including vegetarian), it is best to discuss this with us well in advance. There are a small number of local restaurants (“spots”) around Duazon where a meal can be purchased for around US$3-5.
The tap water at the guesthouse is from a deep bore well, chlorinated, and safe to drink. However, those wishing to take extra precautions can purchase water for day-to-day consumption. A 15 litre bag of 500ml plastic water ‘sacks’ costs around US$1.20. Bottled water can also be brought at a much higher rate if desired. You’ll likely drink 2-3 litres of water a day in the heat.
HEALTH & TRAVEL INSURANCE
All volunteers are required to purchase health/travel insurance which covers them specifically for Liberia. The Liberian health system is poorly equipped and you may need to be evacuated from the country in case of an emergency – ensure your insurance covers you for this.
As a charitable organization, we are unable to cover the costs of liability insurance for volunteers, and anyone coming across will be asked to sign a legal waiver. Please ensure you obtain comprehensive travel insurance prior to departure, for all activities you wish to engage in.
Malaria is a major medical issue in Liberia. All rooms in the guesthouse are equipped with mosquito nets and it is recommended that you use these during your stay. It is also strongly recommended that you take malaria prophylaxis while in Liberia – this is best discussed with your doctor well in advance of your trip as these medications can cause serious side effects for some people.
In addition to the requisite yellow fever vaccination, we recommend you also ensure you are up-to-date with all other vaccinations, including typhoid, hepatitis A and B, measles and tetanus.
The range of medication available in Liberia is improving, but you should bring any regular medication with you. We also recommend you bring medication for diarrhea, minor pain relief and sunscreen and, if you’re staying longer than a month, a course of generic antibiotics. It is strongly advised that you speak to your doctor about any other ailments you may have.
COMMUNICATION & ELECTRONIC DEVICES
The school has a small number of laptop computers available for use for four hours during the day, however priority is given to staff and students. We advise that you bring a laptop if you plan to have reliable access to a computer during your stay. Internet connection is generally good enough to make video calls via Skype, although it can be a little patchy.
Liberia has a number of mobile phone providers, all of whom offer ‘pre-paid’ services. Mobile phones can be purchased cheaply in the country (from around US$20, or $59 for a basic smart phone) but most standard GSM phones will work, including with data services. A local SIM card can be arranged for you on request (these cost around US$2).
The guesthouse is equipped with universal power points, and runs 220v. You will need to supply your own adapter for devices which cannot conform to this. Please be aware that there is a risk of voltage “surges” from generators which can damage electrical equipment.
As we run off solar power and generators, our power output is limited and high power consuming devices such as irons and hairdryers generally cannot be used.
LANGUAGE
English is the official language of Liberia, however the local English can be difficult for foreigners to understand and Liberians may struggle to understand complicated or accented English. This can be frustrating at first, but perseverance and a sense of humour will help you through. You’re welcome to try and learn the local “Bassa” language while staying at LREC, although it is not universally spoken amongst the staff and students.
MONEY
Liberia has its own currency, the Liberian dollar, which can be bought and sold easily around Monrovia and Duazon, but is not easily purchasable overseas. As the highest denomination is worth approximately US$2.50, it is generally only used for smaller transactions. US dollars are widely accepted as hard currency and are preferred at most businesses.
You will need to bring US dollars, preferably a mixture of large and small bills (USD 5 and up), with you as ATMs (cash machines) are rare and unreliable. We recommend budgeting at least US$75-100 a week if you plan to live simply, but around US$250 a week if you plan to travel some of the country (guesthouses are US$25-140 a night) and eat at western restaurants (meals range from US$15-30, averaging around US$20).
Only Visa credit cards are accepted, and only at a limited number of larger hotels in Monrovia, or at ATMs for cash-advances. It is thus advised that you bring enough cash with you for your stay in Liberia.
TRANSPORT
Public transport in Liberia is very limited and unreliable. Most people rely on local ‘taxi’ services (old cars traveling at low speeds and overloaded with passengers) or ‘pehn pehn’ – motorbike taxis. You can walk around the LREC campus and to local provision stores for basic goods, but a private local taxi can also be arranged for around US$10/hour. Rental cars cost US$60-120 a day (excluding petrol but including a driver).
If you would like to see some of the country during your stay, or require assistance locating groceries and other supplies, let our team know and we can help make arrangements.
WHAT TO BRING
We provide:
Bed, mattress, pillow, sheets and towels
Mosquito net
Kitchen utensils, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery
We recommend packing the following:
Light-weight, quick-drying clothing for humid weather
Raincoat
Rubber flip-flops
Solid, waterproof walking shoes
A day-pack or bag
Personal toiletries
Beach towel and bathers (October-March)
Cash (and a Visa credit card for emergencies)
We do not recommend bringing the following:
Hairdryers, irons, or other heating-element based electrical products (our solar system cannot handle them)
Your best clothing and shoes - conditions can be hard in rural Liberia!
Food - unless you have specific dietary requirements (please discuss with us prior to travel)
Want TO BRING SOMETHING TO HELP OTHERS?
Many volunteers want to help in as many ways as possible, including bringing across equipment for the school. Currently, we are seeking the following equipment for our programs:
Sporting equipment: footballs, basketballs, volleyballs
Science equipment: lab coats, compasses, magnets, prisms and glass blocks, magnifying glasses, vernier calipers, fold-able meter rulers, protective eye goggles, dissection kits and trays
Educational materials (Nursery-Grade 12): Math flash cards, cube base 10 sets
Books: elementary fiction books
IT: Laptops, projectors, smart phones, tablets
Games: Decks of cards, Uno, board games (Monopoly, Scrabble)
If you are considering bringing other items across, please contact us and we will happily provide guidance as to whether those items would be useful or appropriate.
INTERESTED IN DOING MORE?
Resources are amazing, but funding support is even better. Providing monetary donations not only allows us to direct cash flow to exactly where needs are most pressing, it also allows us to support the local economy by purchasing through Liberian businesses and providing jobs for Liberian people. In most instances, you’ll actually find your money goes further this way towards helping our students and their families build a better future.
If you would like to raise funds towards a specific project before your trip, please contact us to discuss possibilities. This way, you leave a legacy long after you are gone. You might even be able to help us implement the project during your time as a volunteer!
