Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian E-volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107332

Assignment Title:

Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action Advisor

Partner:

MBC Africa

Country:

Ghana

Duration:

Six months (with the possibility of extension)

Time Commitment:

5 to 35 hours per week (flexible)

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about environmental sustainability and research-driven policy improvement? Do you have research skills? If so, this could be the assignment for you!

As the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action (ESCA) and Research Advisor with MBC Africa in Accra, Ghana, you will provide technical support to review and improve the organization’s ESCA policy. You will also lead research on environmental issues related to MBC’s operations, helping to align their work with best practices in sustainability and compliance.

Apply today to have an impact in advancing environmental responsibility and evidence-based practice in Ghana!!

Roles and Responsibilities

●     Provide technical support to assess the current ESCA policy and identify gaps and areas for improvement

●     Develop actionable recommendations to align the ESCA policy with best practices and applicable standards

●     Conduct research on key environmental issues impacting MBC Africa’s work, with a focus on sustainability and compliance

●     Support the integration of research insights into strategic and operational planning

●     Share knowledge with staff on environmental compliance and evidence-based decision-making

• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or after the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers will also have to 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 up to 2 years after 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 support to achieve the fundraising goal
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree and/or training in environmental studies, sustainability, policy research, or a related field
• Strong research and analytical skills, particularly on environmental and sustainability issues
• Experience reviewing or developing ESCA policies
• Familiarity with environmental regulations and compliance frameworks in development or agribusiness contexts
• Ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations and policy improvements
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development 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

Mobile Business Clinic (MBC) Africa is a collaborative platform that provides comprehensive business solutions addressing four key needs of businesses: access to business development services; access to financial services; access to markets; and access to innovation, information, and technology. Their services include a four-month West Africa Business Accelerator for CEOs and management teams of SMEs; coaching and skills building for young Ghanaian entrepreneurs through the Growing Business Together Program; extension service model that combines business and technical skills training for smallholder farmers and Farmers Based Organizations in the Rural Enterprise Development Institute; preparing the next generation of business managers in the Young Fellows Program; and custom technical assistance to SMEs through Technical Assistance and Advisory Services.

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.