Environmental Sustainability and Entrepreneurship Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106584

Assignment Title:

Environmental Sustainability and Entrepreneurship Advisor

Partner:

Emerge Livelihoods (Formerly Mzuzu E-Hub)

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 5 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about environmental sustainability, innovation and program development? 

As the Environmental Sustainability and Entrepreneurship Advisor with Mzuzu e-Hub in Mzuzu City, Malawi, you will contribute to building capacity by strengthening the knowledge in environmental sustainability, climate action and innovation. In this role, you will also support in developing new environmental programs and training materials for youth entrepreneurs.

Apply today and make an impact on environmental sustainability in the entrepreneurship space in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the team in developing and implementing environment eco-friendly programming by repositioning Mzuzu e-Hub as an environmental conscious organization
• Collaborate with the team in the development of an environmental sustainability strategy and action plan
• Assist in the development curriculum by conducting environmental sustainability training to entrepreneurial youth and eco businesses to strengthen their environment sustainability and climate action plans 
• Guide staff in developing program components tools, activities and training videos in support of grass root level youths in sustainability, climate action, innovation in agribusiness, manufacturing and information technology
• Assist Mzuzu e-Hub and youth entrepreneurs on the assessment compliance on current and future energy, environmental policies and legislations at local, national and federal levels 
• Share best practices in managing compliance objectives by reducing energy usage, water and waste 
• Collaborate with the team to ensure that youth, particularly young women and marginalized youth, are included in any capacity strengthening activities focusing on environmental program development 
• 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 environmental studies or a related field
• A solid understanding of current environmental legislation and how it impacts commercial decision making
• Experience in environmental sustainability businesses and enterprises is an asset
• 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

Mzuzu e-Hub is an entrepreneurship and innovation hub in Malawi providing working space and technical assistance to start-up and early-stage companies by linking them to a network of services for success. It was established with the aim of building a community of entrepreneurs creating innovative solutions for their communities to foster job creation and poverty eradication. The hub focuses on start-up incubation, business development, networking, and capacity building. Mzuzu e-Hub facilitates structured mentorship between young entrepreneurs and innovators with established experts, researchers and icons in technology and business leading to increased skills development.

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.