International Seminarist – Researcher

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106520

Assignment Title:

International Seminarist – Researcher

Partner:

WUSC Malawi

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 weeks

Time Commitment:

Full-time (35h)

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about the socio-economic development of young people? Would you like to help strengthen cohesion between refugee and host community youth? Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada between the ages of 18 and 30?

WUSC invites you, from July 28 to August 24, 2024, to participate in the 78th International Seminar to learn more about how refugee and host community youth can reduce barriers to economic opportunities. The WUSC International Seminar will engage refugee and non-refugee youth from Canada, Jordan, Kenya, and Malawi in a multi-country research seminar that fosters global connection and collaboration. Each person selected will travel to one of the three countries (Jordan, Kenya or Malawi) to focus their research on a particular context.

The International Seminar is WUSC's flagship annual event, enabling young leaders from around the world to collaborate, share ideas and build lasting relationships. Each year, the Seminar explores a contemporary development issue through ideas, research and solutions proposed by young people, working directly with key players in the countries affected by the annual theme. 

Apply today to have an impact on youth empowerment globally!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Take part in conversations, online meetings, and activities with other International Seminar participants prior to the start of the Seminar (July 28, 2024)
• Actively participate in research, workshops, focus groups, interviews, and peer-led activities during the Seminar aimed at strengthening cohesion between refugee and host community youth
• Share and exchange with Seminar participants on barriers to economic opportunities for refugee youth in Malawi
• Share best practices and lessons learned on how refugee and host community youth can leverage technology to generate income through employment and entrepreneurship opportunities
• In collaboration with the other participants, develop recommendations to the IGNI+E Volunteer Cooperation Program on how best to enhance the quality and impact of international development projects
• Share your seminar experience during outreach activities in Malawi
• Prepare and draft reports as required by the Seminar coordinators and the IGNI+E Volunteer Cooperation Program
• 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

• Youth between the ages of 18-30
• Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada
• Commitment to fundraise CAD 1,500 by June 30, 2024. Seminarists will make a personal financial contribution to meet the CAD 1,500 target by July 1, 2024
• Commitment to the mandatory pre-event training, to the 4-week event (35 hours a week from July 28 – August 24), and to an in-person public engagement event in Canada for one weekend in September (travel, accommodation, meal expenses will be provided by WUSC)
• Strong problem solving and research skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently as part of a remote working group
• Young people with lived experience of forced displacement are encourage to apply
• 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

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to providing education, employment and empowerment opportunities to women and youth around the world.In Malawi, WUSC is supporting young people especially young women around 2 themes of youth entrepreneurship and gender equality through the IGNI+E project. IGNI+E is a leading Canadian international volunteer cooperation and development program, implemented by WUSC. It is undertaken thanks to the generosity of Canadians and with the financial support of the Government of Canada, provided through Global Affairs Canada.Find us on Twitter: @wuscmwFind us on Instagram: @wuscmalawi

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.