Brief Description:

HerStart International Fellowships (6 month opportunities)

Dates of Placements: May – November, 2022
Time Commitment: Full time
Location: Ghana, Tanzania or Uganda (applicants to specify their preferred location)
Application Deadline: Extended to Sunday, April 10, 11:59pm ET (applications are reviewed on a rolling basis; it is strongly recommended to apply early)

About Youth Challenge International (YCI)
YCI is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Together with our partners we create market ready solutions that catapult youth around the world to succeed and prosper; we are driven by youth and their potential to affect positive change in the world. Our solutions are focused – always keeping the young people we are designing for and with at the center of the conversation.
Gender equality has always been a core value of YCI. For over 30 years we have designed inclusive programs that help overcome gender barriers and support the economic empowerment and community leadership of young women.

About the HerStart Innovate the Future program
YCI’s HerStart Innovate the Future program is a 7-year program that – in partnership with leading organizations, youth and volunteers – enhances inclusive economic growth and social impact for women and their communities in Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda. Our goal is bold: Support 10,000 young women with the tools and resources needed to become dynamic social entrepreneurs and generate positive social, environmental and economic impact.
HerStart collaborates closely with innovative partner organizations to implement the program and further strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem in alignment with HerStart’s 3 core pillars: 1) gender-transformative, 2) climate-resilience and 3) economic inclusion. Experienced volunteers are also vital to the delivery and sustainability of HerStart. Volunteers from Canada and program countries will participate in HerStart Fellowships where they gain high quality training from subject matter experts and participate in meaningful placements to share their expertise and further strengthen their knowledge and skills in new contexts.

Current 6-month HerStart International Fellowship opportunities:

Ghana Team Opportunities
• Gender Equality & Entrepreneurship
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
• Business Development
• Volunteer Engagement

Tanzania Team Opportunities
• Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
• Gender Equality & Entrepreneurship

Uganda Team Opportunities
• Communications & Training
• Climate Action & Entrepreneurship
• Gender Equality & Entrepreneurship

Eligibility Requirements
o Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
o Must have fluent or professional level English skills (written and verbal)
o Demonstrate interest in the fields of international development, gender equality, climate action and/or social entrepreneurship
o Enrolled in or graduated from a post-secondary institution (or have equivalent work experience)
o Access to a personal computer for duration of placement
o Ability to commit to full length of placement on a full-time basis, including pre and post training
o Committed to meeting the required fundraising goal before departure, which goes towards direct costs of the HerStart program including the HerStart Catalyst Fund
o Note that individuals from all age, gender, academic and professional backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply

Why become an International Fellow?
• Gain professional global experience: Engage in a high-quality international volunteer program with YCI – an organization with over 30 years of experience. The Fellowship program includes comprehensive pre-departure training before you go, as well as ongoing health and safety and reintegration support.
• Contribute to women’s economic empowerment: Connect and collaborate with young women, communities and global partners, meaningfully contributing your time to help grow the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ghana, Tanzania or Uganda.
• Amplify your personal and professional growth: Participate in unique opportunities to boost your CV and build transferable skills, such as effective cross-cultural communication, project management, research and more.
• Access high quality training and resources: Receive specialized training and resources from our global partners who are subject matter experts in their fields, including gender equality, social enterprise and climate action.
• Be part of an international network: Connect with like-minded, passionate Canadians, partner organizations and youth around the globe. Joining this network will include first access to future YCI opportunities, domestically and internationally.

For more information about the HerStart International Fellowship program, benefits and support package, including the expenses covered by YCI, please review the fellowship FAQ page here: https://yci.org/herstart/faq/

For more information on the program and all available positions for remote E-Fellowships and both 3 and 6 month International Fellowships please visit: yci.org/herstart/fellowships

YCI’s HerStart Innovate the Future and International Fellowship programs are funded through Global Affairs Canada’s Volunteer Cooperation Program, providing skilled Canadians opportunities to volunteer abroad with global partners and advance Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.

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