Communications Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107294

Assignment Title:

Communications Advisor

Partner:

WUSC Malawi

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about improving opportunities for young people globally? Do you have strong writing, photography, videography and social media skills to share? If so, this might be the assignment for you!

As the Communications Advisor with WUSC Malawi in Lilongwe, Malawi, you will play an important role in enhancing the visibility and impact of the IGNI+E project in Malawi and globally.

 Apply today to increase economic opportunities for youth in Malawi and globally!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support to generate text, photos, and videos that showcase the ways in which our partners and volunteers are helping to improve education and economic opportunities for young people globally
• Support the development and coordination of content among volunteers developed to raise awareness about Canadians making a difference around the world
• Collect and catalogue testimonials and photos from WUSC volunteers in Malawi
• Collaborate with WUSC Malawi to review and update communications strategies, tools, and work plans for the IGNI+E project, focusing on promoting initiatives and advocating for gender equality and social inclusion
• Create Engaging Content for WUSC Malawi social media, newsletters, case studies and documentaries that showcase success stories from the project, with a particular emphasis on gender equality outcomes
• Strengthen IGNI+E partner communication capacities through targeted training sessions on effective messaging and outreach
• Document best practices and case studies by collecting and sharing success stories, videos, and lessons learned through organizational and public information channels to inspire continued progress and knowledge-sharing, with special attention to highlighting female participants' experiences
• Collaborate with the partner to reduce the environmental footprint of the work associated with this assignment
• Use an intersectional lens to ensure the inclusion and participation of young women and other marginalized youth, as well as their representation, in all activities related to communications

• 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 Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or a related field
• Proven experience in developing impactful communications products 
• Minimum two (2) years relevant professional experience in your field of expertise
• Proficient in creating engaging content across digital and social media platforms, including text, photo, and video
• Skilled in training teams in communications and stakeholder engagement is an asset
• 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 Volunteer Cooperation Program. 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 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.