Communications Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian E-volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107070

Assignment Title:

Communications Advisor

Partner:

WUSC Malawi

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

2 to 5 months (with the possibility of extension)

Time Commitment:

2 to 35 hours per week (flexible)

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about improving economic and educational opportunities for youth globally? Do you have strong communications skills to share?

As the Communications Advisor with WUSC Malawi, you will play a key role in implementing communication strategies to enhance visibility and share impactful success stories with our Volunteer Cooperation Program partners and stakeholders. This is a remote opportunity where you will contribute to the empowerment of youth in Malawi by helping to strengthen their voice and visibility through effective communications tools.

Apply today and make a difference in youth empowerment in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the WUSC Malawi IGNI+E team to implement communication strategies and manage social media accounts to increase visibility and engagement of the Volunteer Cooperation Program
• Collaborate with the team to create newsletters, infographics, and other promotional materials, while liaising with stakeholders and media outlets
• Record and organize key project updates and success stories
• Assist in developing short videos and video editing and updates for different stakeholders
• Develop and launch digital newsletters and podcasts for youth development
• 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 communications, journalism or a related discipline 
• Minimum two (2) years relevant experience using social media in a professional setting
• Ability to work independently as part of a remote working group
• Comfortable using online working platforms
• Access to a reliable internet connection
• A commitment to gender equality, youth inclusion, and international volunteering
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Written and oral fluency in English
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development considered an asset
• Experience living and working internationally considered an asset.

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 assignment and from the WUSC Country Team while on assignment
• Pre-assignment training where you will have the opportunity to learn about the program, gain practical skills for e-volunteering in an intercultural context and meet other e-volunteers
• Country orientation to better understand the cultural context of the country
• 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.