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please reach out to community@river-cleanup.org.
Join us on our mission to clean rivers!
EDUCATION COORDINATOR
Every day, 1 million kilograms of plastic flow into the world's oceans, and a quantity 7 times larger ends up in nature and rivers. If we don't act now, the amount of plastic entering the oceans each year will triple by 2040. In such a scenario, the problem and its consequences for humans, animals, and the environment will become uncontrollable. Change is needed today.
Our vision: plastic-free rivers, worldwide! As the future Education Coordinator, you will play a crucial role in developing, testing, and validating tools and methods for the educational component of the Clean River Model (our Theory of Change).**
ABOUT RIVER CLEANUP
River Cleanup started its activities in 2017 with simple 10-minute cleanups and was officially founded in 2019 in Antwerp as a Belgian non-profit organization. To date, we have prevented/removed more than 3.5 million kg of waste from the environment, of which 2.4 million kg was plastic. We have mobilized 282,000 people during more than 6,000 events organized along 250 rivers in 101 countries.
Initially, the focus was on organizing cleanup events, but since then, we have evolved and are on the path to becoming an internationally respected organization, providing a structural solution for plastic-free rivers.
Our values:
1. Positive
2. Inclusive
3. Expert
4. Responsible
5. Impact-driven
A COMPLETE SOLUTION
After collecting our first million kg of river plastics, we went back to the drawing board with one question: What is the best way to make rivers plastic-free? We answered this by developing an open-source Theory of Change: the Clean River Model. The Clean River Model is a scalable solution covering the entire lifecycle to prevent plastic pollution and clean up existing plastic pollution on land and in rivers.
The Clean River Model is based on strategic interventions throughout the lifecycle of plastic, allowing us to tackle plastic pollution structurally, rather than merely cleaning it up. The model has three pillars:
- Empower people
- Prevent pollution
- Accelerate change
It is currently being validated along three rivers in Belgium, Indonesia, and Cameroon. Our ambition is to ensure that by the end of 2025, our Clean River Model is tested, validated, and ready to be scaled to 100 rivers by 2030.
You can find more information about the Clean River Model in the summary available on our website.
ABOUT THE EDUCATION PROGRAM
Primary and secondary schools, as well as universities, play a key role in eliminating plastic from rivers in the short, medium, and long term. This core focus of the Clean River Model fulfills three essential functions:
1. Gateway to communities
Schools and universities are often at the heart of local communities. Combined with their role as safe learning environments, they are ideal access points to the community.
2. Direct impact & maximum lifelong impact
Educational programs enable children and young adults to contribute directly to plastic-free rivers. On one hand, by actively reducing the use of single-use plastics, and on the other, by properly collecting used plastics for recycling. Changes made early in life have a lasting impact, and these young people will be the leaders and decision-makers of tomorrow.
3. Direct impact and community support
A student typically has a network of at least 2 to 5 family and community members that can be reached through the student and the school. Students thus become the driving force for change in their local community.
The expected results of the Education Program are: less plastic use, less plastic waste, and no leakage.
Components of the Education Program:
- River Cleanup School Program for high-income countries
- River Cleanup School Program for low/middle-income countries
- River University Day
Validation of the River Cleanup School Program for high-income countries (Belgium)
The project's goal is to optimize and validate the River Cleanup School Program in 20 Belgian schools. We are supported by various partners such as AXA Belgium, Engie Foundation, Nationale Loterij, Delhaize Belgium, Accenture, and Brussels Airport.
- Phase 1: Adaptation of the River Cleanup School Program for Belgium (80% completed)
- Phase 2: Pilot in 20 schools (10 in Flanders, 5 in Brussels, 5 in Wallonia)
- Phase 3: Evaluation, optimization, and preparation for scaling up
Validation of the River Cleanup School Program for low/middle-income countries
We are currently actively seeking funding to finance our international River Cleanup School Program. This is expected to start in January 2025 in collaboration with the non-profit Common Seas and aims to validate the approach for low/middle-income countries. Local Education Coordinators are deployed in Cameroon and Indonesia. Your role will be to ensure overall coordination and align the programs across different countries.
River University Day
This project focuses on engaging university and college students to reduce the use of single-use plastics. This happens during the annual academic year kick-off, where the sustainability of all exhibitors is checked with the university's Green Team. Following a provided manual, universities and colleges also organize an annual cleanup event on and around their campuses to raise awareness of litter. This project is currently running in 2 universities and will be scaled to 5 by 2025.
YOUR ROLE
We are looking for a dedicated Education Coordinator to lead the implementation of the Belgian River Cleanup School Program (70%), coordinate the International River Cleanup School Program (20%), and develop relationships with universities, colleges, and educational institutions.
Your tasks will include:
- Developing and implementing the Belgian River Cleanup School Program in 20 Belgian schools;
- Coordinating and aligning the River Cleanup School Program across different countries;
- Developing educational modules, tools, and a tracking system to enable the scaling of the River Cleanup School Program beyond 2026;
- Building relationships with universities, colleges, and educational institutions for research projects, internships, and participation in River University Day;
- Actively managing the ongoing project, implementing it, and reporting on it;
- Acting as the internal and external point of contact for River Cleanup for questions about school programs and educational activities aimed at preventing plastic pollution and cleaning rivers of plastics.
You will report directly to Arno Doggen, COO, and be part of a growing team.
REQUIREMENTS AND SKILLS NEEDED TO EXCEL IN THIS ROLE
- 3-5 years of professional experience with educational projects and programs, ideally focused on environmental issues;
- You are energized by the strategic design of the (International) River Cleanup School Program and its practical implementation in Belgium;
- You thrive in a dynamic environment, are practical, and go the extra mile to make an impact;
- You are a good planner and organizer and have (initial) experience in project management and reporting;
- You take initiative, seek solutions, and can work independently;
- You are a team player with excellent social skills. Fluent in English, Dutch, and French, other languages are a plus;
- You are highly flexible and able to work in a fast-changing environment.
BENEFITS
- A temporary contract until June 2025, with the goal of extending to a permanent contract;
- A 39-hour workweek with flexible working hours;
- An electric car for school visits in Belgium;
- 26 vacation days plus public holidays;
- Vacation pay;
- Year-end bonus;
- Meal vouchers (€9/day);
- The ability to work from home or the office;
- Competitive salary according to PC 329.01;
- Be part of a growing organization;
- Be part of a dynamic team.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a short cover letter and your CV by October 10, 2024, to team@river-cleanup.org.
We invite you to read the "River Cleanup Ambitions 2050" document before applying. You can find it here below.
Together for clean rivers!