Media Innovation Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107293

Assignment Title:

Media Innovation Advisor

Partner:

TIMVENI Media

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about youth empowerment globally? Do you have skills in multimedia production and digital innovation to share?

As the Media Innovations Advisor with Timveni in Lilongwe, Malawi, you will collaborate with Timveni staff and youth groups to enhance creative content production, introduce innovative media practices, and strengthen digital advocacy. You will assist the organization in mentoring young media producers and integrating new storytelling technologies to amplify youth voices.

Apply today to support youth-led media initiatives and advocacy in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Timveni staff to assess current media production practices and identify opportunities for innovation, including interactive media, new platforms, and data visualization
• Support staff and youth groups in creating high-quality multimedia content, including video, audio, and digital storytelling formats for multiple platforms
• Assist staff in introducing and applying innovative media tools and technologies to strengthen youth-led advocacy and increase content reach
• Work with staff to mentor young media producers, building their skills in content creation, storytelling, and digital engagement
• Support staff in integrating Gender Equality and Social Inclusion principles, youth inclusion, and environmental sustainability into media content and advocacy initiatives

• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or within 6 months after the end of the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers must also report on each of their public engagement activities through our Volunteer Information Portal. Virtual chats and individual check-ins can be booked with the Senior Public Engagement Officer throughout the course of their assignment and during the 6 months following its completion to seek guidance and support with their public engagement activities.
• Canadian volunteers are required to do at least one activity that contributes to meeting a fundraising target of $1,500. The minimum requirement is met by each volunteer using our Volunteer Information Portal to report having sent one message to their network about their volunteer assignment that includes the link to the WUSC Shared Impact Fund webpage. This message also counts as one of their three required public engagement activities. Volunteers will be supported with the tools, training, and resources to achieve the fundraising goal.
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in Media Studies, Journalism, Communications, Digital Media, Film Production, or a related creative field
• Professional experience in multimedia production (video, audio/podcasting, digital storytelling) and/or media advocacy, preferably within a non-profit, youth development, or social justice context
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with modern multimedia production software
• Experience in training, mentoring, and coaching young people or junior staff in media production skills and digital literacy Is an asset
• Familiarity with the media landscape, youth issues, and the use of media for advocacy and social change.
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• 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 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

Timveni is a youth media organization working to empower youth to understand their human rights and responsibilities as citizens. Timveni has evolved from a radio project to an independent institution and acts as a platform for youth to discuss challenges in their communities. Timveni encourages youth to make observations, integrate these observations into a positive world view, and express them through speeches, music and other creative expressions. Timveni is able to facilitate engagement between youth within and across districts to communicate their views to decision makers in Malawi via the Timveni Radio and Timveni Television platforms.

Support Package

• Support and guidance from the WUSC Volunteer Mobilization Team prior to departure and from the 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.