Program and Volunteer Support Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106581

Assignment Title:

Program and Volunteer Support Advisor

Partner:

WUSC Malawi

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 12 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full Time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about supporting volunteers to have a successful volunteering experience? Are you motivated to contribute to improved economic opportunities for youth, women and marginalized communities globally?

As the Program and Volunteer Support Advisor in Lilongwe Malawi, you will support the WUSC country office team to engage and support international volunteers, contribute to ensure consistency, responsiveness, quality and best practices in volunteer engagement and support. In this role, you will also support the WUSC country office team with general program planning and activities which support the effective delivery of the WUSC Innovative Global Network of Inclusivity and Equality volunteer cooperation program within the country.

Apply today to contribute to an impactful volunteer cooperation program in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the WUSC country staff in providing personal and professional guidance to international volunteers contributing to volunteer assignments and volunteer cooperation program goals such as knowledge sharing and skill sharing opportunities across partners
• Support WUSC country staff with the coordination of in-country orientation and volunteer management training and support for local partners
• Support and advise the team on best practices in the volunteer integration process and ongoing volunteer engagement and support
• Collaborate with the staff to support volunteers in following safety and security protocols
• Support the team in ensuring volunteer reporting by liaising with volunteers to complete project monitoring and evaluation requirements
• Provide support with program communications, including social media, newsletters, and case studies, as required
• Guide volunteers in drafting a Story of Change
• Provide support in sharing handover information and documentation from departing volunteers to incoming volunteers to ensure continuity between assignments and shared learning
• Assist staff in other program related activities, as required
• Support partners to reduce their environmental footprint and using environmental friendly practices throughout the assignment
• Collaborate with staff to ensure that female youth and marginalized youth, are included in any capacity strengthening activities focusing on program implementation
• Ensure collection and analysis of gender, age, and diversity disaggregated data as relevant to inform project design
• 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 Human Resources, Volunteer Management, Social Sciences, or a related discipline 
• Experience in volunteer or employee management
• Experience in coaching, mentoring, facilitation and/or training
• 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

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.