POSITION: Climbing Instructor

 

LOCATION: Skardu, Pakistan

 

DURATION: Minimum 5 training days 

 

WE PROVIDE: Accommodation, local transport 

 

YOU PROVIDE: Outdoor educating experience, current SPI qualification, WFA (WFR preferred) and cross-cultural competency

 

TRAINEES: 10 x  Instructor Trainees

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ORGANIZATION INTRODUCTION 

Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics works to empower young women through mountaineering-based leadership training and community engagement. Ascend established a program in Afghanistan in 2015 and expanded to Pakistan in 2023. Ascend is a 501(c)3 organization in the U.S. and has been registered in Pakistan since 2023.

 

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Ascend is seeking experienced outdoor instructors to help advance the skills and competencies of our all-women Pakistan instructor team. In 2023, we began providing training and support to local women to become outdoor instructors with globally recognized certifications and robust leadership capabilities. Your time and mentorship will help them grow and advance the outdoor industry for women in the pristine adventure playground of Gilgit-Baltistan.

 

The Volunteer Climbing Instructor will be an experienced, qualified outdoor instructor with competencies in outdoor rock climbing and leadership. Candidates will have a passion for and experience in leadership, education, and women’s empowerment. The training location is Skardu, Pakistan. The minimum time commitment is 5 training days.  

 

The Volunteer Climbing Instructor will prepare Instructor Trainees who may have limited or no experience climbing to become instructors for Ascend’s program activities. The Volunteer Climbing Instructor will be supported by both our U.S.-based headquarters and the Pakistan Country team for all logistics and orientation matters, and will be housed and transported by the Pakistan Country Team.

 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Work closely with Ascend staff to deliver technical training to local trainees to advance Ascend’s curriculum, including: rock climbing, mountaineering, navigation, hiking, group management, expedition planning, emergency management and weather forecasting, safety during outdoor activities , maintenance of sports and mountaineering equipment

• Lead, teach and train Instructor Trainees on course topics including climbing, mountaineering, physical fitness and leadership, team building, and wilderness medicine 

• Provide a trip report to Ascend leadership including skills assessments

 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

The volunteer will be hosted at Ascend's training center in Skardu, Pakistan. A private room & local transportation will be provided by Ascend. A full kitchen is available for the volunteer's use.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential  ​

• Rock Climbing Instructor (RCI, SPI etc.) or equivalent 

• Wilderness First Aid, Responder, Remote Emergency Care or equivalent 

• Prior experience in outdoor education and/or teaching youth 

• Ability to live in an austere environment  

• Good sense of humor 

• Empathy 

• Fluent English verbal and written language skills

• Familiarity with Islamic cultures

 

Desirable  

• Additional outdoor skills such as mountaineering, wilderness medicine, skiing, ice climbing etc.

• Experience working in developing countries

• Some knowledge of Urdu

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TO APPLY 

Please send your CV with a cover letter explaining why you are suitable for this role to Kelly.Pokharel@ascendathletics.org . Please state the job title in the subject line: Volunteer Climbing Instructor application.

 

Ascend: Leadership Through Athletics

9480 Main St, #1050, Fairfax, VA 22030

www.ascendathletics.org