Senior Research Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107517

Assignment Title:

Senior Research Advisor

Partner:

Jordan Youth Innovation Forum

Country:

Jordan

Duration:

4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full time

Assignment Context

Important Update: Resumption of Volunteer Assignments in Jordan

Please note that following a temporary pause and the evacuation of international volunteers earlier this year due to the regional security situation, WUSC is preparing to resume international volunteer assignments in Jordan starting as early as mid-June 2026. WUSC is continuing to closely monitor the situation.

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Are you passionate about youth economic opportunity, systems change, and evidence-based programme design? Do you have skills in research, stakeholder analysis, or programme planning?

As a Research Advisor with Jordan Youth Innovation Forum (JYIF) in Amman, Jordan, you will support the Jordan Youth team in design the research framework, identify the key themes, review national youth policies and existing data, and lead the overall analysis.

Apply today to make an impact on inclusive economic empowerment for youth and women across Jordan!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Design and apply consistent data collection tools across learning visits (visit summary templates, key question guides, debrief frameworks). Analyse qualitative findings to identify systemic gaps, barriers, leverage points, and promising practices in the youth and women's economic opportunity system in Jordan
• Support preparation and facilitation of a 2–3 day Stakeholder Mapping Workshop, including participant background research, stakeholder presentation templates, systems mapping materials, and session documentation. Compile workshop outputs into a structured summary for use in next VCP cycle design
• Contribute to the development of Jordan's country learning brief and programme design recommendations. Translate research findings and stakeholder insights into evidence-based input for the next VCP iteration, aligned with WUSC's 2030 strategy and national development priorities in Jordan
• Support preparation and facilitation of a 2–3 day Stakeholder Mapping Workshop, including participant background research, stakeholder presentation templates, systems mapping materials, and session documentation. Compile workshop outputs into a structured summary for use in next VCP cycle design.
• Apply a GESI lens across all research and data collection activities. Ensure that ecosystem mapping captures the specific barriers faced by women, youth, refugees, and marginalised groups in accessing economic opportunities in Jordan. Disaggregate findings by gender and vulnerability where possible, and flag gaps in GESI coverage across the stakeholder landscape.
• As part of ecosystem research, identify and document stakeholders and initiatives working at the intersection of environmental sustainability and youth/women's economic opportunity in Jordan (including climate-smart agriculture, circular economy, and green livelihoods). Surface relevant practices and actors that could inform environmentally sustainable programme design in the next VCP cycle.
• Implement mixed methods data collection (desktop research, interviews, surveys) in collaboration with program teams in country and in Canada
• Analyze data to contribute to project reports, presentations and project improvement

• 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

• Bachelor's degree or higher in social sciences, international development, public policy, economics, or a related field
• Experience in qualitative research, stakeholder analysis, or programme evaluation
• Strong written communication skills ability to synthesise complex information into clear, actionable briefs
• 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

Jordan Youth Innovation Forum is a Private Non-Governmental Organization founded in 2007. Jordan Youth Innovation Form works on empowering youth to increase their active participation in the development process, building a community of young entrepreneurs capable and inspired.JYIF efforts are beyond national levels, targeting youth inclusively from the Middle East North African region, as well as refugees, which stems from one of our core values; Equality and inclusion. We work on creating opportunities for youth through local and international development projects, embracing their abilities and potentials. Additionally, Jordan Youth Innovation Forum forms alliances with local youth organizations building their capacity to serve youth.

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.