Communications Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106149

Assignment Title:

Communications Advisor

Partner:

Ulalo

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 5 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full Time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about empowering youth ? Do you have communications skills to share?

As a Communications Officer with Ulalo in Mzuzu, Malawi, you will collaborate with WUSC staff in rolling out some critical components related to graphics and messaging.

Apply today to make an impact in fostering youth economic empowerment in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with staff, capture and edit still imagery including video footage for youth education and economic empowerment program activities
• Deliver short, edited videos of the key activities
• Support staff in developing related communications materials
• Assist in the management of the social media profiles including supporting case studies, news articles, newsletters and facebook postings 
• Support in updating the design of the country office brochures, banners and business cards
• Support the identification of new audiences, online platforms, and assist staff in increasing their international profile
• Contribute to the development of social media strategies and content 
• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives before, during, or after the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers will also have one virtual check-in with the Public Engagement Officer throughout the course of their assignment
• Ensure that a gender equality lens is consistently applied in the execution of all activities
• Support partners to empower young women and promote a culture of gender sensitive representation in all activities and program benefits
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in communications, information technology or social sciences 
• Successful training and experience in photography, video production and editing
• Experience with social media and information technologies
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team 
• Minimum two (2) years relevant professional experience in your field of expertise
• A commitment to gender equality, youth inclusion, and international volunteering
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development
• Experience living and working internationally considered an asset
• Written and oral fluency in English.

Project Description

Volunteering for development is one of the important ways in which WUSC pursues its mission. The IGNI+E project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, supports over 70 partner organizations to advance gender equality and the economic empowerment of 1.2 million youth around the world. IGNI+E harnesses the knowledge, capacity and expertise of skilled Canadians through volunteer assignments and public engagement activities to assist partners in improving their performance, advocating for gender equality, and implementing more sustainable, innovative and inclusive initiatives and services for poor and marginalised youth, particularly young women. Overseas, our volunteers collaborate with a wide variety of partners, including enterprise and social enterprise development incubators, skills training centres, women’s organizations, and youth groups. In Canada, WUSC works with institutions and individuals to identify, prepare, and support volunteers who travel overseas to support our partners. Our network in Canada also works with WUSC to raise awareness among Canadians to inspire greater action on global development issues. Our collective focus is on sustainable and inclusive changes to create a better world for youth.

Partner Description

Ulalo (rebranded in 2022) – which used to be Centre for Youth and Development (CYD) – is a local NGO with an innovative people-led approach to contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals by leveraging the power of youth and technology to help children, youth and women living in deprivation to escape the cycle of poverty and fulfil their human potential. Ulalo works in partnership with local governments and communities across 8 districts of Malawi to build capacity for youth through training and mentorship by implementing interventions across five Programme areas: Education, Health, WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene), Enterprise & Livelihoods and ICT for Development. Over the years, Ulalo has developed a trusted reputation with beneficiaries, communities, partners, local councils and funding partners. Through training and community mobilization, Ulalo focuses on economic empowerment, business management and educational training to help in creating opportunities for better life for youth. Volunteers provide high-quality work that positively influences the organization and its beneficiaries; participation in this program will significantly compliment the work of the organization and enrich the efforts to do more and realizing real results that are tangible and measurable.

Support Package

• Support and guidance from the WUSC Volunteer Mobilization Team prior to departure and from WUSC Country Team while on assignment
• Pre-departure training to learn about the volunteering for development program, gain practical skills for living and working in an intercultural context and network with other volunteers
• In-country orientation upon arrival in country of assignment
• Language training in country of assignment, where required
• Modest monthly living and accommodation allowance
• Airfare to and from the assignment country
• Visa/work permit
• Pre-departure medical exam
• Health insurance
• Vaccinations and antimalarial medication
• Criminal record verification
• Vacation leave entitlement
• Debriefing after completion of assignment
• An incredible opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to global development, enhance your professional skills and participate in an experience of a lifetime!

WUSC’s Safeguarding Policy

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion and sexual exploitation and abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to sign off on the WUSC Code of Conduct and the Self-Disclosure Form. International and national volunteers will also be required to submit a criminal record verification.

WUSC is a signatory to the Cooperation Canada Leaders’ Pledge on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct. The pledge represents the shared commitment as Canada’s global development and humanitarian leaders to ensure the full implementation of practices and policies that will protect and respond to our own staff, volunteers and the communities we serve. We are committed to creating safe and respectful workplaces and programs that promote gender equality and are free from gender-based violence, including by addressing and responding to all abuse of power, holding people to account, and protecting the vulnerable. Read the full pledge.