Job Vacancy @ Helen Keller International – Driver

JOB DESCRIPTION

Driver

Job Type: Full time

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Start Date: 1st December 2022

End Date: Annual contract (renewable)

Reports to: Administration & Operations Manager

Open to Expatriates: No

Grade: C




Helen Keller International is a global health organization dedicated to eliminating preventable vision loss, malnutrition and diseases of poverty.  Cofounded by Helen Keller – and guided by her fierce optimism and belief in human potential – the organization delivers life-changing health solutions to vulnerable families where the need is great but access to care is limited.  In the US, Africa, and Asia, Helen Keller’s proven, science-based programs empower people to create opportunities in their own lives and build lasting change.

Helen Keller Sierra Leone is seeking a driver.  This position reports to the Admin & Operations Manager, who is responsible for vehicle management.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Safely operate vehicles to ensure the safety of all passengers, pedestrians, other drivers and the vehicle in town and on field visits.
• Conduct vehicle checks (daily, weekly, monthly and before/after trips to field), and notify the staff person responsible for vehicle management of any vehicle problems.
• Deliver and pick up passengers and materials/ documents at airports, offices, businesses, etc. in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ensure that vehicles have the appropriate tools to enable users to perform minor maintenance and repairs in the field.
• Clean the vehicle inside and outside when necessary.
• Manage vehicles with care and use them with respect.
• Drive Helen Keller vehicles in a safe and secure manner in accordance with local law and the policies of the organization.
• Respect local traffic laws and drive within established speed limits.
• Understand the basic operations and maintenance requirements of Helen Keller vehicles.
• Secure the vehicles when not in use.
• Provide support to Helen Keller field office staff and visitors in transporting materials to project sites, including loading and unloading Helen Keller vehicles as required.
• Fill in Vehicle Logbook after each trip with complete information and Fuel Log.
• Accept shifts/schedules as assigned, including weekend and after hours by rotation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific Responsibilities:

Vehicle Driving:

• Possess a valid local driver’s license.
• Read and understand Helen Keller’s Vehicle Management policies and procedures related to vehicle management and driving protocols.
• Respect local traffic laws and drive within established speed limits.
• Deliver and pick up materials and documents at offices and businesses in a professional and courteous manner.

Vehicle Management & Maintenance:

• Conduct vehicle checks (daily, weekly, monthly and for trips), and signal any actual or potential problems to the staff person responsible for vehicle management;
• Ensure that vehicles have the appropriate tools and equipment on board to enable users to perform minor maintenance and repairs in the field.
• Understand the basic operations and maintenance requirements of Helen Keller vehicles.
• Carefully assess surroundings before parking, particularly at night.  It is the driver’s responsibility to be attentive to potential threats.
• Clean the vehicle inside and outside when necessary.
• Provide support to Helen Keller staff and visitors in transporting materials to project sites, including loading and unloading Helen Keller vehicles as required;
• Fill in log sheets after each trip with complete information and Fuel Logbook.

Vehicle Safety: 

• Manage vehicles with care and use them with respect.
• Drive Helen Keller vehicles in a safe and secure manner in accordance with local law and the policies of Helen Keller.
• Do not accept unknown parcels, baggage or other questionable loads into the vehicles.
• Do not accept unknown riders – particularly individuals carrying weapons, wearing military uniforms, or those linked to conflicts – inside Helen Keller vehicles.
• Verify that passengers riding in Helen Keller vehicles wear seat belts at all times.  Drivers are responsible for enforcing this rule in their vehicles.
• Yield the right-of-way to other drivers, pedestrians, bicycle and motorcycle riders, even if progress is slowed.
• Provide contact location to staff when in the field.
• Notify the staff person responsible for vehicle management of any movement of any vehicle from the office, any deviation from the planned route of travel, or changes of schedule.
• Inform the staff person responsible for vehicle management or Country Director of any danger – immediate or potential – to the security of Helen Keller staff or equipment due to demonstrations / riots in town, roadblocks, requisitions of vehicles by armed persons, shooting, etc. in order to alert staff.
• Ensure the safety and comfort of passengers at all times.

Qualifications: 

• Secondary-level diploma.
• 5 years’ experience driving professionally; experience in mechanics an advantage.
• Valid, current driving license with a clean driving record (no accidents).
• Verifiable references.
• Professional, courteous and punctual.
• Willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.
• Good working knowledge of all major local road networks and city streets.
• English language skills highly desired.

To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to

SierraLeone.Recruitment@hki.org

or hand-deliver to: Helen Keller Int office at 16H James Macarthy Drive, off Spur Road, Wilberforce, Freetown.

CV and Cover Letter Must be in a sealed envelope and deposited into the bid box at the reception latest 5 PM on 15th November 2022, addressed as follows:

Application for Driver position

Helen Keller International

16H James Macarthy Drive

Off Spur Road

Wilberforce

Freetown