Short-term driver

Open to: All Interested candidates

Division/ Department: General Services

Duty Station: Peace Corps office in Bijilo, The Gambia

Reports to: General Service Manager (GSM)

Type of Employment: Short-term 48-hour work week Supervision No

Short-term Contract: The selected candidate(s) will be contracted to work specifically during the active training periods (September to December). The driver will work up to seven (7) days a week during these periods. The driver will not work anytime outside of the period of the contract, without the issuance of another contract. The number of days will be determined based on the training event. This is not a full

About Peace Corps The Gambia

Peace Corps is a bilateral autonomous, international agency of the United States Government with operations in more than 60 countries. It operates in The Gambia by the invitation of the Government of The Republic of The Gambia. Peace Corps/The Gambia has memoranda of understanding with the Ministries of Agriculture, Education, Health, and other partners that outlines broad areas of agreement of cooperation regarding the work of Peace Corps Volunteers in the country. Volunteers are assigned to government and non-government agencies and organizations, community-based organizations, colleges, and schools who partner to enable Volunteers to provide capacity building in education and community health while building cultural understanding between Americans and Gambians.

Objective of the Position

Under the direct supervision of the General Services Manager for locations in Kombo, with daily activities coordinated by the General Services Assistant (or designate), the Driver is primarily responsible for transporting PC staff, Volunteers and Trainees (V/Ts) cargo, and other personnel on official PC business through-out The Gambia (and internationally as necessary). The driver is also expected to perform a variety of support activities including routine, basic maintenance on PC vehicles, maintain service records, mileage and fuel logs; run official errands, pick-up and delivery of mail, packages and supplies; moving of equipment and furnishings required on occasion for Peace Corps the Gambia property management.

Due to the myriads of duties required, the incumbent will need a sense of prioritization and organization and can reasonably expect to work some evening, holiday and weekend hours.

This position requires strict adherence to ethical standards of confidentiality and professional conduct. In addition, the candidate should be flexible, highly organized, creative, and able to multitask and work independently.

Major Duties and Responsibilities (Critical Job Elements) 

• Responsible for overall ownership of assigned vehicle and the vehicle’s operating status, in general.

• Must always be in possession of a valid Gambian driving license. • Provides safe and courteous transport for staff, V/Ts and other personnel conducting official PC business.

• Has comprehensive knowledge of and adhere to all current Gambian laws regarding the operation of motor vehicles and the specific requirements related to vehicles carrying diplomatic license plates.

• Transports staff as requested by the GSA to and from the airport while on official travel.

• Provides safe and courteous transport for staff and other personnel conducting official PC business per PC regulations and is responsible for ensuring no unofficial use of PC vehicles and the program set by the Motor Pool Coordinator (MPC) is respected.

• Serve as a duty driver as assigned, on-call twenty-four hour a day, seven days a week. Provides vehicle support during emergency situations.

• Transports supplies, equipment, materials, mail, and other communications between PC facilities and to support PC official business and events.

• Assures that vehicles are operated in accordance with PC, Embassy and other USG guidelines, and manufacturer specifications.

• Delivers fuel or witnesses the delivery of fuel to generator fuel tanks at PC facilities and residences.

• Picks up and delivers medical specimens, test results, medical supplies, equipment and medications as requested by the medical Unit.

• Must maintain status as a Smith Driver trained driver. Smith Driver training certification is good for two years and then needs renewed every two years thereafter.

Maintains PC Vehicles

• Maintains the daily vehicle logs.

• Performs daily checks of PC vehicles in accordance with the vehicle check list.

• Reports all vehicle malfunctions or problems to the GSA. Assists PC vehicle repairs as needed. Oversees emergency vehicle maintenance and repair while up-country.

Delivers vehicles to outside vehicle service facilities for maintenance, as requested.

• Records repair and maintenance operations of PC vehicles as outlined in the Vehicle Maintenance Log.

• Ensures all vehicle fuel tanks are regularly filled up.

• Calculates fuel needs for extended trips and secures sufficient fuel for planned activities.

• Ensures that vehicles are cleaned, inside and outside, every day. Ensures that seatbelts and interior upholstery are kept clean and in good repair.

Other Duties

• May be tasked in the warehouse, safely moving furniture, furnishings, equipment and supplies as needed.

• Assists with heavy lifting tasks at PC facilities.

• Makes sure empty water bottles in the office are filled.

• Ensures complete confidentiality regarding all information related to PC staff, volunteers and operations.

• Provides training to staff and Peace Corps Volunteers as requested.

• Performs other duties or assignments, when deemed necessary by the GSM or GSA.

Temporary Assignment of Duties

If there is a time at post when there are limited or no Peace Corps Trainees and/or Volunteers (jointly referred to as “Volunteers”) at Peace Corps/The Gambia the PSC may be temporarily assigned during that period, as determined by the Peace Corps Country Director (CD), to carry out additional duties and responsibilities in furtherance of the goals of the Peace Corps in order to enhance the ability of Peace Corps Volunteers to perform functions under the Peace Corps Act, including facilitating a safe environment in order for the successful return or increase of Volunteers.

This temporary assignment may require the PSC to provide services and/or support beyond what is listed in their current Statement of Work (SOW). The services and/or support may take many forms, examples of which may include but are not limited to training, providing administrative, technical, medical, and/or operational assistance, building on host country programs, etc. This temporary assignment also may require the PSC to provide these services and/or support to individuals/organizations other than those listed in their current SOW such as host country government, partner organization(s), community member(s), staff, and/or contractors.

Standard Roles and Responsibilities

 Safety and Security

• Operates Peace Corps vehicles safely at all times.

Immediately communicate Volunteer safety and security concerns and issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM), Safety and Security Assistant (SSA) and CD.

Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

• Ensure that all passengers always wear their seat belts.

• Ensures that the vehicle medical kit, safety and security equipment, personal flotation devices, spare tire and jack and necessary spare parts and tools are always with the vehicle when required and are in good condition.

• If a medical or other official emergency requires driving after dark, the PSC should make every effort to ensure the safety of her/himself, the vehicles, passengers and cargo1.

Logistics & Level of Effort & Duty Station

Duty station is the main office in Kombo, in The Gambia. May be required to work in another town. May be required to travel up country. All Kombo-based drivers perform duties during a 48-hour work week. Events may require occasional work in the evenings and on weekends and holidays. May carry a duty phone. Typical work schedule is Monday through Thursday from 8:00am to 5:30pm, Friday from 8:00am to 12:00pm, and Saturday from 8:00am to 4:30pm with flexibility to work additional hours on weekends or on an as-needed basis. 1Driving after dark requires a verbal approval from either the DMO or the CD. The driver (or the head of the given trek) should call the DMO (or CD, in the absence of the DMO).

Please note that there is flexibility to work additional hours in the mornings and evenings, which are then deducted from Saturday working hours, for those on a 48-hour work schedule.

Minimum Requirements

In order to be selected for this position, the applicant must be legally eligible to work in The Gambia, must not have been employed in intelligence-related activities and must submit an application that clearly documents how they meet each of the following requirements:

a. Education:

• Minimum completion of Secondary School

b. Language Requirement:

• Fluency (level 3) in written and spoken English is required.

• Fluency in speaking two or more of the local languages is required.

c. Work Experience:

• One year driving for a United States or other government agency, international organization or other development organization is required

d. Certification or Licensing Requirement

• A current, valid driver’s license is required

e. Professional experience working outside of Banjul, with one local culture

f. Ability to solve complex maintenance problems or lead an administrative solution

g. Ability to work successfully as a member of a team.

Include the following for bullets for anyone who will be expected to drive as a Chauffeur or Incidental driver:

• Valid Gambian driver’s license for a minimum of 5 years and demonstrated ability to drive manual 4×4 vehicles (passing a driving test will be required)

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a medical clearance for driving and SMITH driving certification in accordance with Peace Corps The Gambia and U.S. Embassy requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience driving in rural areas

• Personal or academic familiarity with American or European cultures.

• Professional/Technical Training: Vocational real estate training

• Experience working with Volunteers