Brief Description:

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

PARTNER:
Asociación Artesanal Boliviana ''Señor de Mayo''

LOCATION:
BOLIVIA , La Paz

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.

The expected start date and duration are flexible and subject to change. The departure date is contingent upon completion of administrative file and approval of visa. Please note that we are currently recruiting for Fall 2018 assignments

OVERVIEW:

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 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:

ASARBOLSEM is a leader in the development of Fair Trade and Social Solidarity Economy in Latin America. The Association is a member of IFAT (The world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies) and is invited each year to testify to the progress of fair trade and its contribution to the income of small producers around the world. ASARBOLSEM has previously been able to exhibit in Italy, UK, Switzerland, Canada, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, among other countries, as well as in Bolivia, and in France. The Association is also recognized by importers registered in the AELE network, with whom they carry out surveillance, monitoring and evaluation and fair trade impact activities.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Under the direction of the Uniterra Country Coordinator and in close collaboration with the Country Office team, the Gender Equality Advisor will contribute to the implementation of Uniterra’s gender strategy. The main responsibility of the Gender Advisor is to develop, implement and monitor a gender action plan to deliver on the Uniterra Gender Strategy. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Country Office team, partners and other program development volunteers.
Data Gathering and Strategy development:
- Engendering partner capacity assessments
- Support gender mainstreaming in country level planning and monitoring processes
Capacity Building:
- Develop and facilitate training and learning opportunities for Uniterra in-country staff, volunteers and partners on gender equality
- Collaborate with local partners to develop strategies and tools to increase the participation of women and female youth and promote their increased access to and control over tailored services and products.
- Develop tools and create case studies of best practices in gender mainstreaming.
Knowledge Sharing:
- Participate actively in gender equality networks
- Document gender mainstreaming tools and good practices and share these with other Uniterra volunteers
- Ensuring that gender equality and youth inclusion and engagement are taken into account in needs assessments and data gathering, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and partnership development through fixing specific mainstreaming objectives, activities to realize these objectives, and follow up on results.

QUALIFICATIONS:
- Degree in Social Sciences, Women's Studies, International Development or other relevant field
- Strong knowledge of Equality between Women and Men policies.
- Experience in a related field of work.
- Experience in research and data collection and information.
- Experience in participatory training methodologies
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Adaptability, flexibility, excellent team working skills and cultural sensitivity
- Capacity of autonomy and teamwork
- Very good sense of organization
- Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish
- Experience in international development would be an asset.

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.

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