UN Looking For Bitcoin Gurus In Africa

Bitcoin is going more mainstream in Africa, if the United Nations has anything to do with it. On the United Nation’s OnlineVolunteering.org website, the agency said it is looking for volunteers to help boost the adoption of the digital currency in Africa. The post says it is looking for qualified people to work for free to help educate the young people of Sierra Leone about bitcoin. The UN is looking for two people who speak English fluently and are proficient in information technology and telecommunications.

“Our organization is seeking new sources of revenue and looking for alternative ways of raising funds by accepting donations in bitcoins and expanding our global support base. We are looking for two tech geeks to help with research and training two staff members on how to use digital currencies (bitcoins) for fundraising. This opportunity is available immediately and for 12 weeks, although volunteer has the option to extend. Training and coaching will be online via email, Hangout, Skype and WhatsApp,” the UN said in the post.

The UN said it needs an expert to help staff with bitcoin donations through a Coinbase account it set up. None of the existing staff at the UN know how to solicit donations via bitcoin. “Our organization has established an account with Coinbase, a web platform, and we are accepting donations in bitcoins. None of our team members understand the digital currency and how to seek out donations. The successful volunteer will be a teacher and consultant and would not engage in any fundraising. We want to engage people outside the current financial systems as supporters and donors to a worthy cause,” the UN went on to say.

While Africa has been suffering from tough economic times, bitcoin is seen as a way to help the economy and deal with the overreliance on cash that makes it harder and less safe for consumers and businesses to handle their daily operations. Some people think bitcoin is a way to address and fix that problem.