Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106919

Assignment Title:

Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor

Partner:

Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 5 months

Time Commitment:

Full Time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about increasing opportunities for youth globally? Do you have skills in entrepreneurship and business development to share?

As the Youth Entrepreneurship Advisor with Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) in Lilongwe, Malawi, you will support WESM to design and implement youth entrepreneurship programs that empower young people with the skills, resources, and opportunities needed to start and grow their businesses by providing mentorship, as well as fostering an environment for innovative business ventures.

Apply today to make an impact in young people’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the team to create and manage programs that foster green entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business skills among young people
• Collaborate with staff to cultivate an environment that encourages innovative thinking and helps youth access market opportunities and resources
• Mentor staff on how to work closely with community organizations, government agencies, and partners to strengthen support networks for young entrepreneurs in green and environmental sustainable businesses
• Ensure entrepreneurship programs are accessible and inclusive, encouraging participation from women and marginalized groups
• Stay updated on business trends and innovative models to continuously improve environmental clubs to enhance program effectiveness and relevance

• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or after the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers will also have to report on each of their public engagement activities through our Volunteer Information Portal. Virtual chats and individual check-ins can be booked with the Senior Public Engagement Officer throughout the course of their assignment and up to 2 years after to seek guidance and support with their public engagement activities
• Canadian volunteers are required to do at least one activity that contributes to meeting a fundraising target of $1,500. The minimum requirement is met by each volunteer using our Volunteer Information Portal to report having sent one message to their network about their volunteer assignment that includes the link to the WUSC Shared Impact Fund webpage. This message also counts as one of their three required public engagement activities. 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 business, entrepreneurship, development studies or a related discipline
• Experience in entrepreneurship ecosystems, startup methodologies, and business planning
• Proven experience in mentoring or coaching young entrepreneurs or startups
• Environmental sustainability experience is an asset
• Excellent communication, presentation, and facilitation skills
• Strong networking and relationship-building abilities with partners and stakeholders
• 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 considered an asset
• 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

Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (WESM) is a membership organization promoting, advocating for, and making a visible and measurable difference to the well-informed conservation and sustainable management of wildlife and the natural environment in Malawi. The organization works to inform and support public participation in the wise use of Malawi’s wildlife and natural environment and always speak up for it in national and local development efforts/fora. Established 70 years ago, WESM currently has over 500 individuals members, over 1500 Wildlife Clubs (mostly school-based) and 9 branches. WESM’s projects focus on working with communities bordering protected areas (national parks, wildlife reserves and forest reserves) to reduce pressure on the PAs and promoting environmental education in schools through establishing and strengthening community governance structures, Economic Empowerment, Community sensitization, Natural Resource Management and Microloans for income generation.

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.