JOB DESCRIPTION

PARTNER ORGANISATION: Aywiña

LOCATION: La Paz, Bolivia

Position: Speech Therapist with specialist

knowledge in Communication strategies and social
inclusion methods.
 IS Partner Appraisal Document

CONTENTS

Pages

Introduction to Bolivia 3

Current Situation 4

The Problem 6

The Project 8

Partner Organisation 8

Job Description 11

Development Worker Profile 11

Living and working conditions 12

Conditions of Service 12

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1. INTRODUCTION TO BOLIVIA

Bolivia is a country of great contrasts. Geographically, Bolivia has three main regions -
the Altiplano or high plateau, the Valleys and the Lowlands. In terms of altitude, the
Altiplano ranges approximately between 3700 to 4500 metres, valleys descend from
these higher areas to altitudes between 1500 to 3000 metres above sea level. Lower
Valleys descend towards the tropical lowlands to about 400 to 500 metres.

In cultural terms, most inhabitants in Bolivia today can trace their ancestry to the
Tiahuanaco and Inca Empires. Traditionally, these cultures mostly inhabited the
Highland and Valleys in what is now Bolivia. Today, the migration to the main cities
and to the lowlands has meant a spread of the different ethnic groups. These are
smaller in number and many have been subject to heavy influence from migrants from
the Highlands and Valleys of Bolivia and from abroad. Nevertheless, of all the Latin
American countries, Bolivia has the highest proportion of an indigenous population.
Within this indigenous population are various ethnic groups with their own language,
beliefs system, customs and so forth, with Quechua and Aymara cultures being the
principal two. More than 50% of the population is bilingual, Spanish being the official
language. According to the latest census, 23% speak Quechua, 16% speak Aymara
and 3% others which includes Guarani.

One of the main challenges facing Bolivia today is the need to re-value these
indigenous cultures, respecting their traditions, beliefs and what is referred to as the
“cosmovision andina”, which basically refers to the way these people see life and live
accordingly which is focused on maintaining an equilibrium within the environment of
which of course man and woman are part. But also, last but not least, open the
exclusive social, economic and political structures to the indigenous people therefore
ending discrimination and exclusion.

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2. CURRENT SITUATION

Since 1985, the government has followed policies imposed by the IMF. Measures have
included the freeing of price controls, of restrictions on exports and imports, and the
labour market. Moves to reduce public expenditure and towards greater privatisation
have led to a transformation of the State's role. In the first five years after introducing
these policies, more than 20,000 miners from the State Mining Corporation were
dismissed, and public sector salaries were kept at very low levels. Wages fell in real
terms during this period, which coincided with runaway inflation and the collapse of the
tin industry (one of Bolivia's main exports) due to falling prices on the world markets.

Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. Seven of every ten Bolivians are
considered to be poor, (taking poor to signify a lack of money or material possessions
such that a person is unable to meet the basic needs necessary for survival).

- Life expectancy: urban areas – 62years, rural: 57years

- Infant mortality rate: (0 to 5 years old) 55.6 per thousand births alive.
- Access to sanitary services: 29% of population
- Children under 3 suffering from chronic malnutrition: 24%

In 1950 the rural population represented 73,8 % of the total population and until the
mid eighties this area had the highest population percentages. However, in recent
years this trend has been reversed by the high migration to urban areas. According to
recent data:

- 62.4% of the population now live in urban areas.

- 37.6% of the population now live in rural areas.

This rapid rise in urban population has meant that there are increasing marginal shanty
towns developing particularly in the main cities (La Paz, El Alto, Santa Cruz and
Cochabamba). Like the majority of rural areas, these marginal city areas lack basic
services such as water, sewerage, health posts and adequate schools.

The current economic model introduced in Bolivia in l985 has brought about
reasonable financial stability, in that inflation has remained between around 4%. Since
2000 Bolivia’s growth rate has ranged from 0 to 4%, however, it has not been able to
reduce the ever increasing levels of poverty among the majority of the population.
Some analysts argue that in fact these levels of poverty have risen, and the gap
between the small elite (politically and economically) and the majority of the population
has widened.

Attempts to reduce this ever increasing gap, such as the “Participacion Popular”
(Popular Participation) Law (l994) have not had the desired effect. This law which
attempts to redistribute previously centralized resources to provincial areas has had
wide ranging results. In theory the law is potentially positive, however, in some areas
lack of sufficient training, provision of information on the law and in-fighting amongst
different political tendencies in rural areas have hindered and delayed positive impact.
In other areas successes have been achieved in terms of developing processes of
participative planning with different organisations at provincial levels. There are also
examples of increasing the effective use of natural resources and positive attempts at
developing what are known as “productive municipalities”.

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As part of the IMF and World Bank HIPC II Initiative (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries),
Bolivia was obliged in 1997 to produce a Poverty Reduction Strategic Plan. An
important point decided in relation to the PRSP was the decision to strengthen
programmes resulting from the Popular Participation Law between the Bolivian
Government and International Cooperation. This law is seen as having the potential to
not only improve conditions in provincial areas but also as a mechanism for
strengthening and empowering regional and provincial organisations. The Government
proposed concerted action plans in relation to the reduction of poverty with the
following main actors: Government, the international community, civil society and the
private sector. However, the actions so far seem to be removed from the plans, leaving
the road to effective poverty reduction still very much unpaved.

Bolivia holds the record as the country with the most frequent changes of presidency,
with some decades averaging one a year. The previous few years have been no
exception, with a succession of changes since Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (‘Goni’)
took presidency in 2002. As a businessman and wealthy miner, his politics were very
much right wing. This brought a wave of strong social, largely indigenous movements
expressing strong dissatisfaction with the government ideologies and economic model,
which, with neo-liberal policies has opened Bolivian markets to unfair competition. This
has led to high levels of unemployment, much black market trading and an estimated
70% of the workforce in the informal sector, thus not paying taxes, but also not having
any job security, and basically in an extremely vulnerable economic situation.

Miners in demosntration

October 2003 has since been named ‘Black October’ due to the violent clashes
between the military and the civilians during their protests against the government. The
events succeeded in ousting the President, but tragically cost the lives of over 100
men, women and children and left many more permanently injured. Since then, Bolivia
has seen two ‘interim’ presidents before the general elections took place in December
2005.

The elections resulted in the former Coca leader and strong Union fighter Evo Morales
– from the MAS party (Movimiento al Socialismo) being elected by an overwhelming
majority of 54% of the votes –a first in Bolivian history. The next few years will be very
significant for Bolivia as we watch eagerly this new President, representative of the
indigenous population, majority and poorer sectors of the population, a man with
humble roots, preside over the country. He has already declared nationalisation of the
hydrocarbons (natural gas) although it remains to be seen if it is economically and
legally viable, in relation to the multinationals that have been running the industry for
years. His second big challenge is to fulfil the promise of a Constitutional Assembly. A

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national assembly was formed to write up a new constitution for the country. This has
now been finished but is awaiting approval by referendum. It is the event that many
people hope will contribute to developing a more equal and just society.

3. THE PROBLEM

In Bolivia, it would be fair to say that most disabled people have suffered or have to
face marginalization, discrimination and social exclusion, whether due to attitudinal
barriers or physical barriers. Furthermore, disability in Bolivia is closely linked to high
poverty levels, as stated in many developing countries. According to Gregorio Iriarte´s
book, "Critical analysis of reality and understanding of recent statistics" (2006, p67),
63% of Bolivian people are considered poor. There is no official information about
statistics of people with disabilities in Bolivia, but data from the website "Educared" - an
Argentinean network that promotes integrated education, states that 70% of people
with disabilities live in poverty – a figure that is even higher than the Bolivian average.

There are several aspects of Bolivian culture that affect how disability is considered in
society. Particularly in rural areas, where tradition and cultural beliefs are still very
strong, disability is considered a curse from God, sent as a punishment to families with
previous sins. Dealing with these beliefs is often difficult, especially when disabled
people are considered animals and simply left to die. Since there is little or no
information available in rural areas about disability and how to manage it, families with
a disabled person have very few options. The scene in Bolivia is complex because
these cultural constructions produce discrimination and segregation, consolidating the
exclusion of people with Down Syndrome from family, community, education, health,
and access to general services. Social environments can become hostile towards
people with intellectual disabilities, denying them many of their rights, including issues
of personal autonomy, self-determination and developing their potential contribution to
society.

Associations of people with disabilities and organisations that work in this area, have
managed to include the issue of disability in the National Development Plan of the
country (since 2006). Furthermore, the government has recognised the National Plan
of Equality and Equal Opportunities for Disability (PNIEO) as a State policy, since
2006, making it the first State Plan to address the needs of the disabled population.
Additionally, the Disability movement also achieved the mainstreaming of the rights of
people with disabilities into the National Constitution, which was rewritten and
approved in 2009.

It is important to emphasize that despite the government’s efforts (Law of Disabled

People and National Plan for Equality and Equal Opportunities), in Bolivia there is still
evidence of exclusion of people with disabilities and specifically those with Down
Syndrome. In order to reduce this exclusion, the government created the National
Solidarity Fund and Equity for People with Disabilities, these funds came from the
General Treasury of the Nation, specifically from eliminating state funding for political
parties, civic groups and indigenous people in election years and non-election years.
Annual budget is set at 40m Bolivianos (approx $5.7m), to be used in 10 programmes,
specified in the Supreme Decree No. 256

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Specific issues:

Education

Currently, Bolivia has a new education law called: Avelino Siñani and Elizardo Perez,
which aims at achieving an inclusive and multi-cultural education. However, despite the
theory of inclusive education, in reality, the structure of schools is designed with
‘special education’ (separately) for people with disabilities, so current curriculum
guidelines have been prepared from that "special" /separatist approach.

In other areas, organisations of disabled people and entities working with this
population have been promoting access to education with an inclusive focus. In La
Paz, these entities and organizations are organized on the ‘Equality’ Network.

Labour

The labour situation of people with disabilities is critical; the vast majority do not have a
dignified source of income that allows them to have economic value in society. In this
context, disabled people have prompted the promulgation of two Supreme Decrees
(27,477 and 29,608), about employability of people with disabilities. These policies
specify that 4% of the labour force should be made up of disabled people, whether in
the public or private sector. Its compliance however, remains a huge challenge.

Currently, the Ministry of Labour is designing a plan of action and implementation of the
policies, including the provision of technical training to people with disabilities and help
in seeking employment offers and demands.

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Health

Health programmes have not considered the needs of people with disabilities, hence
mostly the services are not accessible. Furthermore, the government provides social
health insurance to all working people, but since most people with disabilities have no
access to work, then neither can they access health services. Bolivia recently
implemented a new health system: Universal Health Insurance, but it does not consider
the population with disabilities.

4. THE PROJECT

International Service - Bolivia is working with a 3 year project: Towards social inclusion
of disabled people in areas of national and local development. It has financial support
from the government of Ireland.

The project works through four local partners: Two State entities – the Ministry of
Labour, and the Bolivian Institute for the Blind, and two civil society entities -
AYNINAKUNA (Community Based Rehabilitation) and AYWIÑA. This is the final year
of the project, which will end in September 2010.

In the context of this project, AYWIÑA is contributing to fulfilling the objectives of the
planned action.

5. PARTNER ORGANISATION

BACKGROUD

AYWIÑA, is an Association of parents, families and friends of children, young people

and adults with Down’s syndrome. It is a civil nonprofit institution which has been
working since 1998. Its fundamental objective is integrating babies, children, young
people and adults with Down’s syndrome into the family, school and community
environment, contributing significantly towards the construction of an inclusive society.

AYWIÑA is an Aymaran term that means “Walking amongst many” - in order to achieve
a common objective and so that our children get to meet each other. This is the
concept of the name: that there are more and more people to help promote the
construction of a mutually binding and fair Bolivian society, respecting the differences
between people, as this is the essence of human life.

Mission

“We are an association of parents of children with Down syndrome, non-profit

dedicated to support, monitor, inform, advise and train parents, teachers and the
educational community, promoting social, education and labour inclusion, and holistic
development of their children from birth to adulthood, raising awareness within Bolivian
society and affecting public policies of Bolivian State to improve the quality of life for
people with Down Syndrome”

Vision

To promote an inclusive society where babies, children, young people and adults with
Down’s syndrome can develop with dignity under the framework of equal access to

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opportunities.

AYWIÑA, within its next strategy to 2013, will aim to strengthen processes of social,
education and labour inclusion of children, youth and adults with Down Syndrome
holistically, by raising awareness amongst Bolivian authorities and society in order to
improve public policies and quality of life of these people, counting on the support of
parents and a well-trained technical team to provide quality services and continue
lobbying.

Aims & Objectives of Aywiña

o To support, inform and advise families, from birth through all stages of life.
o Empowering parents and mothers so they may become facilitators of their
children's inclusion in the areas of health, education and work
o To encourage the integral development of babies, young people and adults with
Down’s syndrome in order to initiate integration and social inclusion.
o To help promote the health and educational integration of children, young
people and adults with Down’s syndrome.
o To inform and raise awareness in society about the conditions and rights of
people with Down’s syndrome.
o To promote inclusive education process of children and young people with DS
in regular schools through an educational accompaniment system at all levels
of the national education system.
o To promote labour inclusion of youth and adults with SD through training
processes and training of quality and promote their entrepreneurial capacity
o To collect and publicize information on Down’s syndrome.
o To influence public policies in education, health and work aiming to promote
actual integration of people with Down’s syndrome.

Activities:

• Consolidation of Support Programmes towards the Inclusion of people with

Down Syndrome:

 Programme of early stimulation and life skills preparation

 Programme of inclusive education into the education programme in
early childhood, primary, secondary, technical and higher education.
 Programme of The first news (aimed at new parents).
 Programme of health support
 Programme of stimulating development of language (speech therapy)
 Programme of stimulation in motor development. (physiotherapy)
 Programme of training and work inclusion
 Cultural and sports programme
 Programme of influencing in public policies
 Communication Unit (dissemination and information)

All these programmes work towards promoting an integral development, and a dignified
and autonomous lifestyle for people with DS.

Achievements to Date:

• Aywiña has become a national reference in inclusion of children and young

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people with DS in regular schools and developing curriculum adaptations in

primary and secondary schools. In this sense, it has developed methods of
teacher training, preparing them to accommodate diversity in the classroom,
reaching a total of 690 teachers
• Contributed to changing society’s attitude, from that of shame and pity for those
with DS, to being more positive and seeing their potential.
• An active member of Equality Network and the Platform for Communication.
• Has impacted significantly on educational policies through its participation in the
proposed inclusive education in the new Education Law Elizardo Perez and
Avelino Siñani, the Institutional Memorandum to the Municipal Government of
La Paz, and the programme of implementation of the National Plan for Equality
and Opportunities.
• Aywiña holds the position of vice president of the Departmental Federation of
parents of children with intellectual disabilities

Organizational Structure:

The Board is formed with 10 elected members.

Aywiña is organised in parents groups according on ages of DS people:

 Group of 0 - 2 years old

 Group of 3 a 6 years old
 Group of 7 a 12 years old
 Group of 3 a 19 years old
 Group of 20 or more

Every parent is part of one of the groups according to the age of her/his child and
works with Aywiña team members in order to maximise the benefits to their child and
others.

Aywiña’s operational structure consists of a General Coordinator (Director

pedagogical), Programme Manager, then educators and volunteers

6. JOB DESCRIPTION

Development worker role

• Training to parents in stimulation of language development

• Support to early stimulation programme

• Training to teachers and support educational inclusion at all levels

• Support plan in fundraising and increasing contacts in order to benefit the

classroom support educators

• Stimulation in language development

• Training to team and volunteers in practical Communications strategies

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• Support the institutional strengthening of Aywiña

7. DEVELOPMENT WORKER PROFILE

1. Educative and professional qualifications

Degree in speech therapy and / or communication strategies with social inclusion
approach.
Project management, NGO management and / or related fields.
Professional qualifications related to planning, monitoring and evaluation
Good skills in Microsoft Office Word, Excel, etc.

2. Work Experience
Experience with children and people with Down syndrome.
Preferably with knowledge in pedagogy and curriculum adaptations.
Experience in facilitation of training workshops.
Knowledge and understanding of the issue of disability, specifically Rehabilitation
Based in the Community
Expertise in alternative communication systems.

3. Language skills
Good level of written and spoken Spanish.
Preferably reasonable level of English.
Effective communication and negotiation skills.

4. Personal Qualities

Flexibility to work with people on low incomes.

Ability to work as a team and share knowledge with colleagues.
Creative and proactive to work with limited resources.
Ability to work with own initiative.
Flexibility to work extra hours.

8. LOCATION

The DW will work in the AYWIÑA office, in the centre of La Paz (Sopocachi zone)

Working hours will be from Monday to Friday, 9:00 – 12:30 and 14:30 – 18:30, with
occasional evening and/or weekend work, depending on special events.

The DW is expected to live in the centre of La Paz. It is a lively city where traditional
culture meets modern technology, creating an interesting mixture of both Andean
customs, and western influences. Most facilities found in any modern city are also
present in La Paz, ranging from modern shops, sports facilities, cultural and
educational events etc.

La Paz, being 3627m above sea level, means that most new arrivals take a few weeks
adjusting to the altitude, and the general steepness of most streets! The climate is
considered quite cold –especially at night, but with clear blue skies most days, the sun
is strong and temperatures can reach 25C.

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La Paz is well situated for weekend trips out of the city. There are regular and cheap
bus services to many rural and urban destinations – from mountainous to more tropical
lowland areas.

.
9. CONDITIONS

• Contract until December 2010.

• Living Allowance (4500 Bolivianos per month)
• Rent costs covered if the DW is not already living in La Paz
• Health insurance and emergency cover.
• Costs of travel to/from La Paz if DW not from La Paz.
• Training costs if need lessons in Aymara or other languages
• 20 days of vacation per year, subject to pro-rata by month

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