Communications Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106764

Assignment Title:

Communications Advisor

Partner:

WUSC GHANA (INVEST)

Country:

Ghana

Duration:

6 to 8 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about Communications? Do you have creative planning and coordination skills? 

As the Communications Advisor, you will work with a dynamic team to support project communications initiatives across implementation regions (Accra, Kumasi, Sekondi-Takoradi).

Apply today to have an impact in the transformation of Technical and Vocational Education and Training for Ghanaian women!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Working actively with the Digital Strategist and Public Engagement and Advocacy Officer to co-manage WUSC social media accounts; fostering community amongst followers
• Provide training and ongoing support to WUSC staff and interns on story gathering, photography and writing on various aspects of the project
• Support the design and development of quarterly dissemination of project activity updates. This could be in the form of a newsletter, webinar, etc.
• Liaising with other project teams to write and post 1-2 blogs a month on various aspects of the project during the period of the engagement
• Work collaboratively with technical advisors, specialists and volunteers to produce relevant case studies
• Accompany the team on field visits to capture photos and video footage 
• 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 and/or training in Marketing/Communications or a related field
• Minimum of two years professional experience in your field of expertise
• Basic photography, videography, graphics and social media skills are required
• Proficiency with graphic design software (photoshop, illustrator, etc.) considered an asset
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience living and working internationally considered an asset.
• Written and oral fluency in English.

Project Description

The Innovation in Non-traditional Vocational Education and Skills Training (INVEST) programme for women in Ghana is a 5-year collaborative initiative (2020-2025) that will build sustainable pathways to enhanced economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive growth for 5,000 urban poor young women in Accra, Kumasi, and Sekondi-Takoradi, Ghana. This project will test and scale innovative, sustainable models to improve the enabling environment, reduce gender-specific barriers to women’s economic participation, and enhance access to decent work for marginalized women in high-growth, non-traditional sectors. Using an inclusive market systems (IMS) approach, the project will invest in women, institutions and the labour market system of high-growth sectors to achieve transformative change that is sustainable and scalable. A wide array of stakeholders from both the supply and demand sides of the labour market will be engaged throughout the project cycle. This integrated approach will contribute to reducing the multiple dimensions of poverty experienced by urban poor young women. Key aspects of the program include: supporting women’s full participation in economic decision-making and leadership, promoting women’s equal access to finance, improving technical and vocational education and training for women, motivating industry to hire, retain and promote women, and improving the ability of women to participate and exercise their rights in the workforce.

Partner Description

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization with a mission to enhance education, economic opportunities, and empowerment for youth and women. WUSC works with a diverse network of volunteers, students, institutions, governments, and businesses. Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the Innovation in Non-traditional Vocational Education and Skills Training for Women in Ghana (INVEST) project is a 5-year initiative (2020-2025) that will reach 5,000 urban poor young women, including migrants, in Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, Ghana. Using an inclusive market systems (IMS) approach, the project will INVEST in women, institutions and the labour market system of high-growth sectors to achieve transformative change that is sustainable and scalable. This entails examining and acting upon the root causes of gender and social norms that negatively affects women’s economic empowerment; addressing labour market constraints within the Ghanaian society that intensify these negative impacts and; engaging a wide array of stakeholders on both the supply and demand sides of the labour market.INVEST seeks to bring forward existing best practices and also introduce and scale up new and innovative approaches that are in demand by high-growth sectors, which also hold promise for engaging the interest of women. These include automotive, ICT, residential construction, oil & gas, and energy trades.

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.