Resource Mobilization Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107314

Assignment Title:

Resource Mobilization Advisor

Partner:

Malawi Hub

Country:

Malawi

Duration:

4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about supporting young people to thrive economically? Do you have resource mobilization skills to share?

As the Resource Mobilization Advisor with Malawi Hub (mHub) in Lilongwe, Malawi, you will support this impactful organization in developing a resource mobilization strategy and in developing funding proposals, concept notes, and new initiatives to enable mHub to train and support young Malawians in digital and entrepreneurship skills.

Apply today to make an impact in youth entrepreneurship and the economic empowerment of young people in Malawi!

Roles and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with Malawi Hub staff, conduct a comprehensive needs assessment to identify the organization’s resource mobilization gaps, opportunities, and strengths
• Work with the mHub team to update the Resource Mobilization Strategy and Action Plan aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives
• Work with the team to research and identify potential donors and funding opportunities, including local, international, corporate, and foundation sources
• Support in drafting and implementing fundraising strategies, developing concept notes, proposals, and budgets
• Collaborate with the team to ensure that youth – particularly young women and marginalized groups – are actively included in capacity strengthening and program development activities
• Work with colleagues to apply gender equality and environmental sustainability lenses consistently in all resource mobilization activities

• 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 Social Sciences, Business Administration, Development Studies, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience in fundraising and resource mobilization, preferably within the not-for-profit or development sector
• Strong understanding of donor engagement strategies and proposal development processes
• Excellent communication, networking, and negotiation skills
• 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

Malawi Hub (mHub) is Malawi’s first, community-based technology hub with a social development agenda and work space for social enterprise that champions local technology solutions. mHub provides a space for skills development, knowledge transfer, networking and mentorship by facilitating the creation of jobs and spaces for collaboration. It has trained over 4,000 youth in ICT and entrepreneurship. The resource center has 200+ youth members and works to foster knowledge sharing between industry, academia, developers, researchers and the community on the development of technology solutions that solve problems in the society and world. Moreover, they offer tailored entrepreneurship support, software development, co-designing of programs, digital skills, and startup on-demand support. The entrepreneurship program provides three programs: 1. Women Economic Empowerment, support women entrepreneurs in six districts with financing, branding, business development and mentorship; 2. Jobs for Youth, youth seeking employment through the enhancement of ICT and business development skills of young innovators at ideation stage; and 3. Growth Accelerator, business acceleration programme that supports early stage innovative and impactful entrepreneurs with investment of up to $40,000 in financing, technical assistance and mentorship.

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.