Brief Description:

TYPE OF ASSIGNMENT:
Volunteer Cooperant (VC/OS)
Unaccompanied assignment - This assignment does not include support for accompanying partners or dependants

PARTNER: Farm Radio International

LOCATION: GHANA , Accra

DURATION: 12 months

EXPECTED DEPARTURE DATE:
Departure date is contingent upon completion of administrative file and approval of visa. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and position will remain open until filled.

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

Uniterra contributes to improving the socio-economic conditions of poor and marginalized communities in 14 countries and with over 200 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

PARTNER DESCRIPTION:
Farm Radio International is a Canadian-based, not-for-profit organization (registered locally in Ghana) that has been working since 1979 to harness the power of radio to meet the needs of small-scale farmers. The organization works with more than 600 radio organizations located in 38 African countries to fight poverty and food insecurity. With the benefit of FRI resources and training, our broadcasting partners deliver practical, relevant, and timely information to tens of millions of farmers. We also work with a range of partners to implement radio projects that address specific development challenges and community needs. FRI is a strategic partner in the Uniterra program, with interventions to enable the program work at scale in Ghana’s subsectors of construction and livestock.

FRI is seeking to strengthen and scale the sustainability of interactive radio programming. This entails developing a business case, encompassing a platform of radio stations and their engagement with partners and audiences, and rolling out a pilot within the framework of ongoing projects. The volunteer Business Development Advisor will work with radio stations and diverse partners in the agriculture, residential construction and livestock sub sectors toward these objectives.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Conduct a needs assessment, including the identification of market actors and their communication-for-scale needs;
- Support FRI in the production of a communication-for-scale strategy outlining the ways that high-quality interactive radio programs and communication tools can enhance the sectors to increase employment opportunities for women and youth;
- Facilitate the establishment of a “social franchise” model for developing sustainable high-quality interactive radio programs at select radio stations that address the communication-for-scale needs of market actors;
- Work with the Radio Craft Development Team to assess the capacity building needs of selected radio stations in order to be “franchised” and offer interactive radio programs;
- Support the team in developing a capacity building plan;
- Work with the Radio and ICT Integration Team to refine a package of ICT tools that radio stations will use to produce and broadcast their radio programs;
- In collaboration with the Knowledge Management Team, identify and develop audience measurement tools, maps and reports that will provide the radio stations with audience analytics;
- Contribute to the development of a business model for sustaining interactive radio programs through collective branding, marketing, quality assurance, analytics, resource mobilization and resource sharing;
- Facilitate partnerships between businesses, support services and select radio stations leading toward effective communication-for-scale interactive radio programs serving sub-sector market actors;
- Document lessons learned and propose related long-term strategy and recommendations;
- Ensure the participation and representation of women and youth in all activities;
- Produce reports required by FRI and the Uniterra program.

QUALIFICATIONS:
- Degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, Communication or relevant discipline
- Strong understanding of communication for development, beyond social media and communications
- Experience in innovation and ability to mobilise diverse stakeholders
- Proven ability to engage with private sector actors
- Excellent networking, facilitation, design and business skills
- Strong interpersonal, writing and communication skills in English
- Resourcefulness, innovation and adaptability.

VOLUNTEER BENEFITS AND SUPPORT:
- Support and guidance prior to departure and while on assignment in country.
- Participation in a pre-departure training where you will have the opportunity to learn about the program, gain practical skills for living and working in an intercultural context and meet other volunteers. Travel, meals and accommodation are covered.
- In-country orientation and briefing upon arrival in-country.
- Language training in-country where required.
- Return flights, visas and work permits.
- Cost of required country specific vaccinations and antimalarials.
- Health insurance.
- Modest monthly living allowance while overseas.
- Accommodation while overseas.
- Vacation leave entitlement.
- Return debriefing in Canada after completion of assignment. Travel, meals and accommodation are covered.
- An incredible opportunity to enhance your professional skills and participate in an experience of a lifetime!

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada between the age of 18-70.
- Departure date is contingent upon the timely completion of all administrative requirements (e.g. visa processes, medical clearance, police checks, travel documentation).
- With the support of the program, all volunteers shall undertake to make a minimum financial contribution of $1,500 for participating in the program.

TO APPLY:
http://agora.ceci.ca/SGC/WUSProje.nsf/va_WPO/53BEA04131D832508525819F0055E2BC?OpenDocument&lg=enok

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