Role Profile: Play and Learning Facilitator (FirstRand FirstJob Intern)
Level: Entry
Location: Constitution Hill, Braamfontein, Johannesburg
Education: Matric (minimum)
Job category: Education
Duration: Full-time, 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023 (12-month contract)
Role Profile
Play Africa’s Play and Learning Facilitators provide daily staffing of our children’s museum exhibits, programs and special events. This position is central to ensuring a highly interactive and educational learning experience for our diverse visitors, the primary audience being young children and their families.
FirstRand FirstJob Requirements
In line with the recruitment qualifying criteria for FirstJob applicants, this must be the candidate’s first job – previous work experience should be less than 12 months and/or of a part-time/casual nature. As this is a powerful Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) skills development initiative, successful candidates will meet the definition “Black” as defined in terms of the Department of Trade and Industry’s BBBEE Codes of Good Practice and will:
· Be excited, disciplined and enthusiastic about a 12-month full-time work opportunity
· Be between the ages of 18-34 years
· Have successfully finished their matric or equivalent
· Have been unemployed for at least 6 months
· Have less than 12 months of formal work experience
· Be South African and in possession of a valid ID
· Commit to completing a full-time internship for a period of 12 months, 1 July 2022 – 30 June 2023
· Agree not to take on additional studies or additional work during the course of the internship
Play Africa’s Play and Learning Facilitators provide daily staffing of our children’s museum exhibits, programs and special events. This position is central to ensuring a highly interactive and educational learning experience for our diverse visitors, the primary audience being young children and their families.
As part of the FirstRand FirstJob skills development initiative, interns receive a nominal monthly stipend of R 3 750.
Responsibilities
This is an internship, in which candidates with no previous work experience receive on-the-job training and learn from their colleagues. With support and training, you will be responsible for:
▪ Excellent customer service; provide inclusive, physical and verbal cues that let the visitor know we are approachable and knowledgeable about Play Africa, its philosophy, exhibits and programmes.
▪ Exemplary play and learning facilitation; model positive, educational, creative and respectful ways to interact with children and their caregivers through play.
▪ Facilitate age-appropriate activities that engage children and parents/caregivers in the play and learning experience that extend the museum’s offerings, including inquiry-based activities that ignite creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking and innovation.
▪ Create and maintain a physical environment that is safe, comfortable and engaging for both adults and children; participate in daily set-up and clean-up of Play Africa, including continually resetting the environment and routine cleaning and sanitizing. This includes assisting the team with setting up exhibits, loading and offloading them for offsite activations.
▪ Be punctual and attend all staff meetings including daily opening/closing meetings, monthly guest connections, staff meetings, Play Africa all-staff meetings and other meetings deemed relevant by the Play and Learning Supervisor.
▪ Mentor volunteers and work with other educators to strengthen group management and teaching techniques.
▪ Solve problems as they arise with other team members and handle day-to-day operational issues.
▪ Make every moment count by filling transition times with games and songs, utilising each opportunity to make our visitors feel special.
▪ Staff special events and other assignments on an as-needed basis.
▪ Engage directly with community partners as part of our ongoing community engagement, particularly in the communities (neighbouring Constitution Hill) of Braamfontein, Hillbrow, Yeoville and Berea.
Experience and Skills
- Matric is required. Some varsity experience preferred; concentration in Education, Child Development, Theater, Art, Recreation, Hospitality, Communications or related field.
- Interest and ability in working with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
- Dynamic, energetic, positive facilitation and leadership skills required. Ideal candidate must be enthusiastic, outgoing and energetic–be willing to play.
- Excellent communication skills — can effectively communicate to visitors the educational content and value of museum exhibits and programs. Fluency in English is required. Fluency in one or more indigenous languages of South Africa and/or foreign language is a plus.
- Stamina and physical endurance to set up/break down exhibits and be engaging on the Play Africa floor most of the day, maintaining quality interaction with visitors.
- Ability to take direction well and work without constant supervision; ability to work within a team.
- Enthusiasm for learning and mastering new skills on an ongoing basis.
- Commitment to understand and abide by Play Africa’s policies, including our child safety and special needs policies.
- Willingness to be certified in First Aid and CPR through institution-offered courses.
- Ability to work remotely / online: efficient with the use of technology; social media platforms, Google Drive, Zoom, Microsoft Office and other equivalents.
Hours: This is a 40-hour a week position, including weekdays, and some weekends, public holidays and evenings, to be determined by Play Africa needs.
Shared Values and Expectations
All Play Africa staff and volunteers know what it means to be a vital part of a team and approach challenges with positivity. All team members are expected to:
● Serve as an ambassador of Play Africa, demonstrating our mission and values in a positive and professional manner and acting as a role model
● Commit to building a safe, child-focused community
● Provide excellent customer service, treating every visitor with dignity and respect
● Demonstrate professionalism and accountability
● Take the initiative to analyse and solve problems
● Treat others with courtesy and respect
● Respond to visitor, family member and colleague needs
● Maintain a high standard of ethics, integrity and confidentiality
● Have a willingness to learn new skills
● Take part in organizing the exhibits
● Maintaining clean environment for the visitors and staff
About Play Africa
Play Africa is a fast-paced, dynamic and inclusive public play and learning facility for children and families, based at the iconic Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. As South Africa’s first dedicated “children’s museum,” Play Africa is dedicated to providing powerful, hands-on and play-based early childhood development (ECD) and foundation phase learning enrichment to all children and families.
Our mission is to offer every child an educational experience worthy of his or her potential, to nourish a sense of belonging, and to engage and inspire all visitors to dream about the possibilities inside themselves, their families and their communities. We pioneer inclusive public learning spaces in South Africa, creating engaged citizens and healthy communities by inviting all visitors to discover new worlds, to wonder, to ask questions and to imagine a better future through interactive, hands-on exhibits, programming and play.
Our staff and volunteers are essential in creating meaningful learning experiences, and we are committed to building an effective, diverse team that reflects our values and our community. Whether you’re working directly with visitors or behind-the-scenes, #WorkingAtPlayAfrica is rewarding, collaborative and exciting. Join our team of dynamic, engaging professionals!
Application details
We need bright, committed, motivated, outgoing individuals who are willing to work hard as part of a positive, dedicated team. Is this you? Applications are welcome from candidates with disabilities. CLOSING DATE 06 MAY 2022.
Click here to complete the application. We expect you will need a minimum of 60 minutes to complete this application. It will require uploading a CV and reference letter. It will also require you to complete two short challenges that will require WhatsApp and Internet access.