Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106783

Assignment Title:

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor

Partner:

WUSC – Guyana (ENGAGE Youth)

Country:

Guyana

Duration:

6 months

Time Commitment:

Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about gender equality and social inclusion? Do you have gender equality programming skills to share?

As the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor with Empowering the Next Generation: Agency and Gender Equality (ENGAGE Youth) Guyana project, you will support the partner and key stakeholders from Guyana’s Hinterland regions, in developing and implementing comprehensive gender equality programming.

Apply today to have an impact on Indigenous youth, especially young women, from Guyana's Hinterland regions!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, and implementation of a project and context specific gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) strategy to guide current and future programming
• Work closely with WUSC team and key stakeholders to design, develop and implement appropriate gender equality, gender mainstreaming and inclusive initiatives, including gender assessments and analysis, gender-sensitive work planning, community gender training and awareness programs, and capacity strengthening of key actors 
• Assist in developing and facilitating gender training and awareness initiatives for multiple audiences, including WUSC team and volunteers, project stakeholders and partners, and engaging men and boys around positive masculinities 
• Support the development and implementation of gender equality and social inclusion monitoring tools, to facilitate effective data collection, analysis and reporting on GESI project outcomes 
• Consistently facilitate application of a gender equality lens to all project resources and activities, such as, ensuring communications resources are gender, age and youth sensitive, culturally appropriate, and context relevant
• Participate in the WUSC GESI Community of Practice to share experiences, learnings, provide and receive peer-to-peer mentorship, coaching and participate in knowledge sharing sessions
• 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 formal/professional training in gender/women’s studies, social sciences, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience working with youth, women and minority groups in gender equality and empowerment programming
• Strong skills in conducting gender equality and social inclusion analysis, development of gender sensitive data collection tools, monitoring and evaluation of gender equality outcomes
• Experience in programming on gender equality, equity, inclusion and promotion of diversity targeting vulnerable and marginalized groups
• Awareness of gender equality and equity issues with Indigenous people considered an asset
• Minimum two (2) years relevant professional experience in field of expertise
• A commitment to gender equality, youth inclusion, and working in collaboration with Indigenous communities
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development, are assets
• Professional experience working or volunteering in the Caribbean is an asset
• Written and oral fluency in English.

Project Description

ENGAGE Youth is a 5-year project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) with the Ultimate Outcome « to enhance the empowerment of Indigenous and rural youth, especially young women, in target regions of Guyana » by facilitating improved and meaningful participation of youth in decision-making at the personal, household and community levels; and strengthening the network of local, regional and national stakeholders to effectively address the social and economic needs and aspirations of Indigenous youth from target regions. The ENGAGE Youth Theory of Change is premised on the assumption that increased engagement of Indigenous youth at the personal, household and community levels, and an improved local, regional and national system of stakeholders, will result in enhanced empowerment of Indigenous youth, especially young women. ENGAGE Youth takes a holistic approach to empowerment, which recognizes the significant needs of the target group and importance of the broad-spectrum of key stakeholders required to achieve the ENGAGE Youth Ultimate Outcome. The project utilizes human-centered design (HCD) approaches that allow for active participation of Indigenous youth in designing and implementing initiatives, and a systems approach that facilitates identification of root problems and focuses on actions that enhance sustainability through working closely with local actors and organizations. ENGAGE Youth supports Indigenous youth from Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 in Guyana. The main project partners include government ministries and agencies; non-governmental organizations; and community, national and regional organizations that work with Indigenous youth.

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. WUSC is the implementing agency for the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded five-year project – Empowering the Next Generation: Agency and Gender Equality (ENGAGE Youth) in Guyana. The ultimate goal of ENGAGE Youth is to enhance the empowerment of Indigenous and rural youth, especially young women, in target regions of Guyana. ENGAGE Youth will support the enhanced empowerment of Indigenous youth, especially young women, through awareness raising and public engagements on gender equality; provision of life-skills education; enhanced access and referrals to social services; access to applied training in relevant employability, livelihood, business development and entrepreneurship skills; and delivery of skills training and responsive grants to enable young people to effectively engage in youth-led enterprises and economic initiatives. Through financial and technical support, ENGAGE Youth will strengthen the capacity of local, regional and national stakeholders to effectively develop and implement sustainable, gender-responsive, and youth sensitive initiatives that address the social and economic needs and aspirations of Indigenous youth, especially young women.

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.