Environmental Sustainability Advisor

Assignment Type:

South-South International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to individuals who hold citizenship of a low or middle income country other than the country where the assignment is based

Assignment ID:

VA-106233

Assignment Title:

Environmental Sustainability Advisor

Partner:

KASA Initiative Ghana

Country:

Ghana

Duration:

12 months

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action? Do you have environment development skills to share? 

As the Environmental Sustainability Advisor volunteer for the KASA Initiative Ghana in Accra, you will support the partner and its coalition members to monitor, implement and advocate for resources from the government, development partners, and Civil Society Organizations (CSO) for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on environment and climate action.

Apply today to ensure a sustainable environment and development in Ghana!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support in the development of environmental and natural resources projects concept notes to stakeholders and donors
• Support with the drafting and development of natural resources and environment policy briefs
• Assist the team in organizing and facilitating natural resources and environmental policy analysis and dialogues in Ghana
• Support in delivering on natural resources and environmental capacity building trainings for the civil society organizations platforms and stakeholders
• Assist in all natural resources and environmental related engagements with all relevant stakeholders
• Use a gender equality lens in all stages of proposal writing
• Support the inclusion of Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action principles into the program design and engage ESCA stakeholders
• Support the organization to consider meaningful inclusion of program participants
• 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 Social/Environmental science or a related field
• Experience in working with coalitions and networks
• Skilled in developing sustainable development goals
• Experience in organizing and managing campaigns
• 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

KASA Initiative Ghana has been registered as an independent Civil Society Organizations (CSO) mechanism to support concerted engagement with the government, donor community, and private sector in the management of Ghana’s natural resources since 2014. KASA is an independent (CSO) initiative, managed by an institutional arrangement established by seven (7) CSOs coalitions working in different natural resource governance platforms. KASA Initiative’s vision is to see a society where citizens realize their rights in the governance of the environment, climate change, and natural resources. KASA Initiative secretariat coordinates the activities of its platforms and creates mechanisms for interactions among ( CSOs), public sector institutions, and development partners.KASA Initiative provides the interface of civil society with the government to strengthen existing non-state actors, coalitions, and network experiences that seek to promote direct engagement with the government at all levels.KASA Initiative is the convener for Civil Society Organizations (CSO) on Sustainable Development Goal 13 platform that seeks to promote and build capacities on climate change issues among CSOs.The ultimate beneficiaries of the organization’s work include the marginalized and vulnerable groups in society through the work of its platforms directly with Youth, Women, and CBOs.

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
• COVID-19 PCR testing
• 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.