Brief Description:

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

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:
The West Africa Governance & Economic Sustainability in Extractive Areas (WAGES) is jointly implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Centre d’étude et de coopération internationale (CECI) in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Guinea. Working in partnership with communities, local government, mining companies, and other stakeholders, the project will enable communities, particularly women and youth, to maximize the socio-economic benefits from extractive resource investment in West Africa. The project’s principal areas of focus include local governance, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and regional knowledge-sharing on development best practices in mining areas. The expected results of the project include: increasing employment opportunities for community members, especially youth and women; ii) strengthening capacity of sub-national governments and local institutions to leverage opportunities arising from natural resource development, especially the extractives sector; and iii) increasing informed dialogue on local economic growth and governance strategies in regions with natural resource development activities, within the three target countries and across West Africa.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Under the direction of the WAGES Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with the M&E and Social Inclusion officer and the WAGES team, the Gender - Equality Advisor will support local government staff, WAGES team, and partners in understanding Gender Equality & Youth Inclusion (GEYI), establish a strategy and plan for mainstreaming gender as well as develop concepts for local government that address gender equity, empowerment of women and youth.
- Data Gathering and Strategy development:
- Conduct local government capacity assessments
- Support gender mainstreaming in community development planning
- Support gender mainstreaming in country level planning and monitoring processes
- Map local, regional and national actors who are leaders in gender equality
Capacity Building:
- Work with WAGES and District Assembly staff to develop a strategy and implementation plan for mainstreaming gender and applying GEYI more effectively
- Train and coach local government staff and partners regarding gender concepts and mainstreaming and develop a training manual or package in consultation with the WAGES M&E and Social Inclusion Officer
- Support the various departments in the district assemblies in applying gender perspective in their activities for gender empowerment and/or value chain development
- Develop and facilitate training and learning opportunities for WAGES team and partners on gender equality
- 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 WAGES team and other platforms
- Draft reports as required by the partner organization and the WAGES Project
- Share findings, research, tools, lessons learned and recommendations with district assemblies, national ministries and at the regional level
- Mainstreaming gender equality and youth inclusion and engagement in all areas of responsibility:
- 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:
- University degree in a relevant field (ie. international development, social sciences, social work)
- Passionate about gender equality
- At least two years of experience in a related area of work
- Experience in research, data collection and information gathering
- Experience in participatory training methodologies
- Excellent verbal and written communications skills
- Adaptability, flexibility, excellent team work skills and cultural sensitivity
- International development experience 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.

TO APPLY VISIT:
http://agora.ceci.ca/SGC/WUSProje.nsf/va_WPO/6A5D9734C83B7E76852580D7007E95EB?OpenDocument&lg=enok

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