Communications Advisor | Volunteer Internationally

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***Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only***

Assignment Type: Canadian International Volunteer

Assignment ID: VA-107122

Assignment Title: Communications Advisor

Partner: WUSC Malawi

Country: Malawi

Duration: 4 to 5 months

Time Commitment: Full Time

*Assignment Context

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

As the Communications Advisor with WUSC ’s Community Engagement Team in Lilongwe, Malawi, you will play an important role in enhancing the visibility and impact of global development and WUSC’s Volunteer Cooperation Program. Through storytelling, content creation, and capacity strengthening, you will generate content and help amplify stories of change from our volunteer network globally and raise awareness about WUSC’s work and international development.

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

*Roles and Responsibilities

• Help tell the story of how Canada and Canadians are contributing to the eradication of poverty around the world! 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

• Develop resources (a WUSC Digital Storytelling Toolkit and online workshop for volunteers) that support capacity building among volunteers to tell their own stories

• Collect and catalogue testimonials and photos from WUSC volunteers globally

• Collaborate with WUSC Malawi to review and update 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

• 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 in communications, marketing, journalism, or a related field

• Proven experience in developing impactful communications products

• Proficient in creating engaging content across digital and social media platforms, including text, photo, and video

• Skilled in capacity-strengthening for teams in communications and stakeholder engagement

• Understanding of WUSC’s work and our Volunteer Cooperation program is an asset

• Prior international volunteering experience is an asset.

*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 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!