Program Development Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107370

Assignment Title:

Program Development Advisor

Partner:

Gender Center for Empowering Development

Country:

Ghana

Duration:

4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about designing inclusive, high-impact programs that address gender equality and climate action?

As the Program Development Advisor (Environmental Sustainability and Climate Action & Gender Equality and Social Inclusion) with Gender Centre for Empowerment Development (GenCED), you will support the design of integrated programs that advance environmental, social, and climate action while promoting gender equality and social inclusion. With your research and proposal development expertise, you'll help strengthen the organization’s visibility and position it for future funding opportunities.

Apply today to have an impact in shaping inclusive, climate-resilient development programs in Ghana!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the design of ESCA and GESI-integrated programs aligned with organizational priorities
• Conduct research and analysis to inform evidence-based proposals and strategic initiatives
• Develop high-quality concept notes and funding proposals with a strong gender and inclusion lens
• Strengthen the organization’s visibility through compelling program narratives and donor-aligned messaging
• Build staff capacity in inclusive program design and proposal writing.

• 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 and/or training in gender studies, environmental studies, international development, or a related field
• Proven experience in program design and proposal development, especially for ESCA and GESI-focused initiatives
• Strong research and analytical skills to support evidence-based programming
• Experience writing concept notes and grant proposals for institutional donors.
• International or cross-cultural experience is considered an asset; fluency in English required
• 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

The Gender Centre for Empowering Development (GenCED) is a leading women’s rights organization formed and registered in Ghana since 2011. Beyond Ghana, GenCED also works in the West African sub-region in countries such as Mali, Liberia, Gambia, Nigeria, and Niger. GenCED’s vision is to become a leading grassroots organization, by empowering the marginalized, especially women, economically, politically, and socially. GenCED seeks to close the gender deficit in our governance by building the capacity of the marginalized, especially women, through the provision of political education and sustainable human resource development services to participate in district, national, and internal electoral politics to catalyze democracy.Most of GenCED’s past projects have been geared towards empowering women and broadening their understanding of their social, economic, and political rights, human rights, and development. Through education, these women are empowered and have increased knowledge of their rights and other developments in their lives, not to mention the fact that the empowerment process is based on evidence-based research.

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.