World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization with a mission to foster human development and global understanding through education and training.

We are a network of professionals, students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders who, together, provide opportunities to some of the world’s most disadvantaged youth. Our programs and services improve access to and quality of education, expand employment opportunities and foster empowerment for youth. We work with and through our southern partners – government, civil society and the private sector.

Centre for International Studies in Cooperation (CECI) is a leader within an international network of partners combating poverty and exclusion. Our main area of expertise is in the building of development capacity of local partners in four main areas: sustainable economic development, food security, human security and emergency response, and gender equality. Present in several countries, the CECI contributes to improving the conditions of thousands of people and changing lives, every day.

• Reports to: Uniterra Country Coordinator
• Volunteer contract term: 6 months
• Start date: June 1st, 2018

Nature and Scope:

Uniterra is a leading Canadian international volunteer cooperation and development program, jointly implemented by the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

Uniterra contributes to improving the socio-economic conditions of poor and marginalized communities in 14 countries and with over 170 partners in Africa, Asia and the Americas through the exchange of expertise and knowledge of Canadian and international volunteers. Uniterra believes that economic growth, when inclusive, is the most powerful driver of poverty reduction. The purpose of the Uniterra program is to improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations by stimulating growth and facilitating access to the benefits of growing and diversified markets. To make this happen, we are working with our local partners to enhance the income of poor and marginalized women and youth through better access to employment and income generation opportunities. Uniterra country program staff work with our local partners to design Uniterra assignments in the context of the country strategy, supporting the inclusion of women and youth in key economic subsectors. For more information on the Uniterra program, our approach and countries of focus please visit: Uniterra.ca.
The 2018 International Seminar in youth entrepreneurship is an opportunity for young female entrepreneurs from Canada and the Global South to come together to share best practices, develop knowledge and skills, and build a network. The group will be comprised of twenty (20) young female entrepreneurs - ten (10) from Canada and ten (10) from Ghana. Participants will be in the early stages of building their business venture. They should have a keen entrepreneurial spirit, and an existing business plan validated and be ready to incubate. The two-week program will take place in Accra, Ghana and will provide young women entrepreneurs the opportunity to further foster and strengthen their entrepreneurial skills through peer-peer mentorship, learning and cross-cultural collaboration. The participants will also take part in guided programming that aims to build general entrepreneurial skills and address issues facing women in entrepreneurship.

Key areas of Responsbility:

1) Working under the Uniterra Country Coordinator in Ghana and in consultation with the Canadian International Seminar Coordinator and various other stakeholders, the Ghana International Seminar Coordinator will be responsible for planning, organizing and coordinating the 2018 International Seminar in Accra. The Volunteer Coordinator will also play a key role in supporting the development of the International Seminar content and program. The successful candidate will co-lead a team of staff and volunteers to ensure smooth delivery of allaspects of the events, such as, but not limited to: programming, logistics, communications,
2) participation and hospitality. More specifically, the Ghana International Seminar Coordinator will:

• Lead and participate in International Seminar planning committee (weekly Skype meetings with appropriate stakeholders) ;
• Support the planning of the event program and coordinate implementation;
• Oversee the events’ logistics (travel, catering, accommodation, etc.), ensuring that the highest standards are upheld and follow a detailed work plan;
• In consultation with the Uniterra Country Coordinator in Ghana, call on and collaborate with different services, committees and people involved in the planning of events;
• Draft a detailed workplan with key task, responsabilities and dates; identify internal collaborators and assign tasks prior to and during the events. Provide guidance to them as needed;
• Maintain an open communication channel between Ghana and Canada for decision-making and plans approbation and be aware of any need that may arise;
• Determine which logistical services will be required, identify suppliers, establish contracts (rooms, caterers, facilitators, etc.) and manage their payments;
• Coordinate internal and external communications (including social media and publicity related to the event ) with key actors and partners in Ghana to raise its profile and recruit potential speakers/workshop facilitators;
• Work within established budgets and provide weekly, monthly and end of mandate budget updates as needed;
• Monitor and evaluate event activities and provide a summary of evaluation of the event and recommendations for future events as required;
• Support and advise the entrepreneurs participants as they prepare for the Seminar, in part through interactive social media platforms;
• Provide continuous guidance on and seek to empower Seminar participants around managing expectations, intercultural communication, and conflict resolution;
• Support Seminar participants on a personal level as needed (emotional, cultural, health etc.);
• As needed, facilitate workshops, debates and roundtables during the Seminar, in addition to coordinate the sessions, visits and cultural meetings established in the Seminar programming;
• Consider and incorporate Gender Equality principles in all tasks, including when developing tools and communications material;
• In collaboration with the Canadian International Seminar Coordinator, draft the Seminar’s final report and other key reference documents as required by the partner organization and the Uniterra program;
• Be available to work long hours in the lead up to the event;
• Respond to urgent requests and be available on short notice when required; and
• Any other task as required or as requested by the Uniterra Country Coordinator in Ghana

Uniterra Volunteer Benefits and support:

• In-country orientation and briefing upon arrival in-country.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Modest monthly living allowance while overseas.
• An incredible opportunity to enhance your professional skills and participate in an experience of a lifetime!

Qualification Required & Experience

Education:

• Bachlor Degree in a relevant discipline or relevant work experience deemed as equivalent.

Experience and Competencies:

• Experience in event organization and management;
• Experience in group-based facilitation for training and learning;
• Keen entrepreneurial spirit with experience in launching and managing its own business venture (strong asset)
• Strong knowledge of Ghanaian entrepreneurship and youth engagement ecosystem;
• Excellent ability to formulate creative ideas, design event formats and scenarios, negotiate arrangements and manage a successful event targeted at a specific audience, with attention to detail
• Excellent communication, negotiation, problem-solving, team leadership, customer service, organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to prioritize, budget, work under pressure and meet deadlines while managing simultaneous tasks;
• Commitment to Gender Equality and women’s empowerment;
• Ability to work autonomously, to be flexible and have an easiness to adapt and respect different cultures.

Language:

• Proficiency in English; both written and oral.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

If you are interested in this position, send your application and CV to:

wuscghanaoffice@wusc.ca indicating the position in the subject line.

Closing Date: 20 May, 2018

• Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
• No telephone calls please.