Business Development Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106635

Assignment Title:

Business Development Advisor

Partner:

There is Hope – Malawi

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 12 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about empowering refugee youth? Do you have business development and marketing skills to share? 

As the Business Development Advisor with There is Hope in Lilongwe, Malawi, you will support in the development of  new programs and source new funding opportunities to support refugees, and their host community to overcome poverty and become self-reliant. 

Apply today to have an impact in vulnerable youth empowerment and supporting young refugees!

Roles and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the team assist in strengthening the capacity in researching new suppliers, logistics partners, export legislation and best practices in growing the social enterprise in an eco-inclusive way
• Provide support with online/digital and in store marketing for Kibebe brand and products to reach a variety of regional audiences
• Collaborate with the staff in developing marketing and communication tools to target international markets
• Support the team in developing proposals and funding opportunities in support of the economic inclusion of refugees
• Ensure that a gender equality lens is consistently applied in the execution of all activities
• Ensure an environmental and sustainability climate action lens is applied during video production
• 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 social sciences, business administration, economics or another relevant field
• Demonstrated experience in program development and proposal writing
• Experience in online and digital marketing and communication
• 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

There is Hope is a local NGO that was incorporated on 31st December 2007 under the Trustee Incorporation Act of Malawi. The organization helps refugees and their host communities attain self-reliance through education, business, and leadership development. It provides vocational training to refugees and Malawians in five certified trades; Carpentry and Joinery, Plumbing, Fabrication and Welding, Tailoring and Fashion Design, and Bricklaying to enable them to secure employment or start their own small-scale businesses. There is Hope offers university scholarships to vulnerable refugees and Malawians, and secondary school scholarships to vulnerable Malawian and refugee girls from Dowa District. Furthermore, There is Hope offers a 2-year course for men and women wanting to spark holistic development in their community. There is Hope also has a Social Enterprise called Kibebe that provides employment to refugees and Malawians and generates income to There is Hope through the production of eco-inclusive ethical products.

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.