Brief Description:

DURATION: 6-12 months

PROJECT BACKGROUND
The Promotion of Regional Opportunities for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) is a sustainable economic growth project which aims to increase the value of Caribbean fresh produce accessing high-value markets (HVMs) in the Caribbean and internationally by CAD $100 million over six years. Funded by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC), the project is working with private sector buyers, producers, business service providers and other market system actors to facilitate the safe, effective and efficient movement of fresh produce from the farm level to HVMs.

VOLUNTEER POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to PROPEL’s Guyana Country Coordinator and in support of the programming team, the Gender and Youth Advisor will support the integration of PROPEL’s gender and youth cross cutting
themes across all programming components. The Advisor will allocate 50% of effort on gender equality issues and 50% on youth empowerment issues. The Advisor will also liaise with other Gender Equality and Youth Program Officers based in Jamaica as well as the Regional Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment Advisors based in Jamaica, Barbados and Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) and specialists working on PROPEL across the region.
The volunteer’s responsibilities will include:
 Implementing the Guyana Gender and Youth Action Plans and gender and youth components in
the annual work plan, including working with program staff to ensure gender and youth
priorities, analysis and programming are effective and beneficial to target populations.
 Identifying appropriate partners in Guyana and analyzing their gender and youth capacities.
 Collaborating on and approving communications and campaigns directed at youth and women.
 As required, developing practical tools and guides for colleagues to support gender and youth
programming and implementation, including engagement in design and use of M&E tools.
 Facilitating the collection of quality gender equality and youth data, analysis and reporting at
the country level to inform program level reporting.
 In collaboration with colleagues, delivering training or identifying appropriate training delivery
resources for project partners and stakeholders to support gender equality and youth initiatives.
 Providing ongoing monitoring and coaching, as needed.
 Facilitating equitable access to resources and opportunities for women and youth in all PROPEL
initiatives and promoting inclusion in the market system.
 Ensuring that information is provided for monthly, semi-annual and annual reports relating to
the PROPEL strategy, expected results, and performance indicators (reporting is distinct for the
PROPEL Gender Equality Strategy and Youth Strategy).
 Staying connected and aware of national and regional initiatives that may provide opportunities
for collaboration or leveraging with PROPEL on Gender Equality and Youth activities.

QUALIFICATIONS
 University degree or equivalent qualification in social science, education, gender development,
community development, adult and/or youth learning, agriculture or another relevant field.
 At least 3 years of experience in designing and implementing gender and youth activities,
preferably in the agriculture sector and/or related to entrepreneurship.
 Proven leadership, interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, and ability to motivate and work as a
key member of a diverse multicultural regional team.
 Strong coordination and facilitation skills, and experience with interactive facilitation.
 Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to find new ways of working to manage internal and
external changes that affect project implementation or organizational change.
 Experience working and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders, including private sector
entities, buyers or consolidators, farmers and producers, producer groups, civil society
organizations, technical schools and research institutions.
 Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
 Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada between the ages of 18- 70.
 Departure date is contingent upon the timely completion of all administrative requirements (e.g. visa processes, medical clearance, police checks, and travel documentation).
 With the support of the program, all volunteers are encouraged to make a minimum financial contribution of $1,500 through fund raising for participating in the program.

TO APPLY
Send CV and cover letter to: jobs@wusc.ca. Include “PROPEL Gender and Youth Advisor” in subject header.
• These positions are open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
• Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

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