Program and Volunteer Support Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107033

Assignment Title:

Program and Volunteer Support Advisor

Partner:

WUSC Malawi

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 5 months

Time Commitment:

Full Time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about supporting volunteers to have a successful volunteering experience? Are you motivated to contribute to improved economic opportunities for youth, women and marginalized communities?

As the Program and Volunteer Support Advisor at WUSC Malawi in Lilongwe Malawi, you will support the WUSC country office team to engage and support international volunteers, contribute to ensure consistency, responsiveness, quality and best practices in volunteer engagement and support. In this role, you will also support the WUSC country office team with general program planning and activities which support the effective delivery of the WUSC Innovative Global Network of Inclusivity and Equality volunteer cooperation program within the country.

Apply today to contribute to an impactful volunteer cooperation program in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive personal and professional guidance to international volunteers, facilitate knowledge-sharing opportunities across partners, guide cultural adaptation, and ensure ongoing volunteer wellbeing through regular check-ins and support mechanisms.
• Coordinate in-country orientation programs and volunteer management training while supporting local partners in developing effective volunteer engagement strategies, sharing best practices, and delivering capacity-building initiatives for both volunteers and partner organizations.
• Support volunteer reporting systems, guide the development of Stories of Change, monitor placement progress, and support project monitoring and evaluation requirements while maintaining regular communication with all stakeholders to track program effectiveness.
• Collaborate with the WUSC country office to manage program communications including social media presence, newsletters, and case studies, while coordinating the documentation of success stories and lessons learned to effectively showcase program impact and volunteer achievements
• Support in building and maintaining strong relationships with volunteers through regular feedback sessions, support conflict resolution when needed
• Assist the team to provide comprehensive administrative support including volunteer visa, emergency response coordination, maintenance of activity records, and strategic input for program development while ensuring adherence to organizational policies and procedures
• Support with new program brainstorming sessions
• Support partners to reduce their environmental footprint and using environmental friendly practices throughout the assignment
• Collaborate with staff to ensure that female youth and marginalized youth, are included in any capacity strengthening activities focusing on program implementation
• Ensure collection and analysis of gender, age, and diversity disaggregated data as relevant to inform project design
• 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
• Set up a personalized volunteer fundraising page on the WUSC fundraising platform and share it in your networks. Volunteers will be supported with the tools, training and support to achieve the fundraising goal
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in human resources, volunteer management, social sciences, or a related field
• Experience in volunteer or employee management
• Experience in coaching, mentoring, facilitation and/or training
• 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.

Partner Description

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, employment and empowerment opportunities to women and youth around the world. In Malawi, WUSC is supporting young people especially young women around 2 themes of youth entrepreneurship and gender equality through the IGNI+E project. IGNI+E is a leading Canadian international volunteer cooperation and development program, implemented by WUSC. It is undertaken thanks to the generosity of Canadians and with the financial support of the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada.Find us on Twitter: @wuscmwFind us on Instagram: @wuscmalawi

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.