Planetarium Assistant

Ghana Planetarium is the first digital planetarium in sub-Saharan Africa and offers a unique interactive
experience for children and adults of all ages. Due to the lack of adequate resources and teaching
materials, many children and even adults in Ghana do not have easy access to information about our
universe.

There is a severe shortage of interactive educational science centres in East, West and Central Africa, and
very few active planetariums in the whole continent. The purpose of the Ghana Planetarium Project,
therefore, is to give as many Ghanaians as possible, especially children, the opportunity to explore the
beauty and wonder of the universe, learning about the big bang, our solar system, the stars and all that we
see in the night sky.

To do this, the planetarium offers exciting hands-on sessions where pupils undertake a range of activities
centered on a theme, all of which will include a planetarium show and a practical task.

The Ghana Planetarium Project was founded by Dr. Jacob Ashong. From a background of teaching
Biochemistry to University students and a range of other activities, Dr Jacob Ashong has had a dream to
create a science centre and planetarium in Ghana for a number of years. Part of the inspiration came from
a visit to the Exploratorium in San Francisco in the 1980's, and later from centres nearer home such as the
Science Centre in Herstmonceux, Sussex, UK, located at the site where the Royal Greenwich Observatory
was housed for many years after its move from London. Up until recently a shortage of funds and lack of a
suitable space have made it difficult to proceed with the Ghana Science Project.

The Volunteer
The Ghana Planetarium Project (GPP) requires a planetarium assistant to teach astronomy to all age
groups. The volunteer will help to ensure the smooth running of the planetarium and assist with
exhibitions organised by the planetarium. The role may include some or all of the following:
• Helping set up and lay out exhibits for GPP exhibitions
• Providing guided tours of the planetarium to people of all ages
• Assisting with administrative procedures concerning the day-to-day running of the planetarium
• Responsible for supporting the development and delivery of planetarium shows
• Maintenance of planetarium technology and content
• Assisting with the design and building of new exhibits

Requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years of age upon application.
• You must have a background of relevance to the individual position and have a strong interest in the sciences.
• The volunteer should have a keen interest in the work of a planetarium, be creative and hands-on.
• You should be driven, have excellent communication skills, and have the ability to work in a team. You will be adaptable and entrepreneurial, suited to a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
• In order to maintain the sustainability and high performance of this project all interns are required to complete a detailed hand-over document for successive interns .
• You will need to be flexible and tolerant, show initiative and enthusiasm to face the many hurdles and challenges that you will encounter.

The Application Process

Step 1: The Application Form - To apply for one of our positions please complete our online application form. To save us and more importantly our already overstretched partner organisations time, please only complete this form if you are serious about applying.

Step 2: The Additional Info Form - As soon as we receive approval for your placement from the partner organisation we will send you an additional form to complete. This form requests information on your emergency contact details, your health background and other important information. Please email this form back to us as soon as possible.

Step3: Secure your Placement - Once we receive your additional information form back we will invoice you for your placement. Your deposit will be due within a week of the date of the invoice. If you are applying less than 60 days before the start of your placement, you will be invoiced for the whole amount. Please be aware that your placement is not secured until you have received confirmation from us of receipt of either the deposit or full payment. Once you have secured your placement you can start booking flights. We recommend you purchase insurance as soon as you secure your placement.

Step 4: Speak to your In-Country Coordinator - We will email you a week before your remainder is due. As soon as we receive your remainder we will introduce you to your In-Country Coordinator who will help you prepare for your trip and will ensure that an Ikando member of staff is at the airport to meet you.

Documentation Requirements:

• A completed application form - required for application.
• A personal or professional reference given by an employer, teacher, lawyer or doctor. This reference must include detail of the context in which the referee knows you and stating that he/she knows of no reason why you should not volunteer. The referee should also provide their contact details in order that Ikando can contact them prior to your departure to confirm the reference given. This reference should be emailed by the referee to info [at] ikando.org. References cannot be family memebers
• A copy by email to info [at] ikando.org of your travel (including medical) insurance certificates.
• Information on your travel arrangements (flight number, airline, arrival and departure time and dates). We always recommend volunteers who book online to email us their booking.
• A copy of the photo page of your passport to be emailed to info [at] ikando.org.

All Documentation must be sent to us at least two weeks before arrival.

The Orientation

We will provide you with a stress-free and in-depth introduction to Ghana by picking you up from the airport and giving you an orientation that helps to settle you into the country as quickly as possible. The Orientation will include showing you the places of interest in Accra, getting your money changed, informing you where you can do your shopping, and much, much more.

We have staff on-call 24/7, so if there is ever anything you need we are there and happy to be of assistance.

Important Details

Click here for more information on our pricing.

What’s included in the project fees?
• Accommodation and a fully furnished kitchen
• Welcome pack
• In-country introduction to life in Ghana.
• Airport pick-up & drop-off
• Live-in Ikando staff support
• 24/7 Emergency support.

What’s not included?
• Flights & Visa
• Vaccinations (please speak to your local doctor)
• Insurance, both Medical and Travel (required)