Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Malawi

Communication Advisor

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada 

Location:   Lilongwe

Start Date:   Exact timing will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Duration:   3-6 months, in-country and online support

Language Requirement:   English (Mandatory)

Reporting to:   Country Program Officer

The Project – VOICE for Women and Girls

The VOICE for Women and Girls project is a seven-year initiative (2020 – 2027) aimed at strengthening the performance of developing country partner (DCP) organizations to advance gender equality and economic empowerment of 50,000 women and men from marginalised communities, in particular young women (target: 60% women and girls), in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Malawi with a focus on action areas of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), namely:

• Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls, and
• Growth that Works for Everyone.

The Project responds to the needs identified by women and men of cooperatives and the entire members in the countries of operation and is designed to increase the capacities of individual producers and primary co-operatives to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. Supporting institutions, including apex co-operatives, co-operative colleges, and government/regulatory institutions will also be engaged to increase the capacity and prioritization of vulnerable groups.

The Partner you will work with

Cooperative Development Foundation of Canada is working with Malawi Federations of Cooperatives (MAFECO) the national apex body for co-operatives. MAFECO aims to be a vibrant and sustainable national cooperative organization capable of providing quality leadership and services to the cooperative movement in Malawi. The organization has a vision to facilitate and coordinate promotion, development, and growth of sustainable, independent, and autonomous cooperatives in a competitive environment.

What you will do – Activities and deliverables

The Communications Volunteer will be reporting directly to the Country Program Officer, who is coordinating all project activities at the country level. He/She is also expected to work hand in hand as well as groom the local partner (MAFECO) on communications.  On a regular basis the volunteer is expected to travel to the project sites to document project activities for publication. This mandate is open to Canadian volunteers only.

The volunteer will work directly with the local partner MAFECO in developing a communications strategy and increasing their visibility at a national level through social medial channels such as twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin.

Objectives

The Volunteer is expected to support build the capacity of the local partner and targeted credit unions to provide innovative services that responds to the need of their members and primary co-operatives to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. Furthermore, the role will support the project overall communications as well as support other volunteers to capture and tell their volunteer journey during their mandate in Malawi to contribute towards increasing awareness of the volunteer program and international development among Canadian population.

Deliverables

• Collaborate with country program officer to develop and implement an effective project communications strategy.
• Develop write and edit, and distribute communications materials/content, including publications, press releases, website content, case studies, success stories, speeches, and other social media content that communicates the projects’s activities, outputs and/or outcomes.
• Support in establishing and maintaining social media platforms for project visibility
• Promote communications materials through appropriate social channels
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with journalists, and maintain a media database.
• Seek opportunities to enhance the reputation of the project, and coordinate publicity events as required.
• Maintain digital media archives including photos and videos
• Maintain records of media coverage and collate analytics and metrics.
• Ensure that all communications and marketing material aligns with organisational and donor requirements
• Track analytics and create reports detailing successes and failures of communications campaigns
• Proficiency in design and publishing software.
• Work with communications team members to conceptualize and implement communications strategies and campaigns
• Develop escalation protocols for managing communication crises, should they arise

Your qualifications

Education:

• Degree in communications, journalism, or related field.

Experience:

• Relevant experience in a communications role.
• Knowledge of desktop publishing software (InDesign/Photoshop).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Good time management and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media platforms.
• Should be a proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently; need strong ability to set priorities, solve problems, and be resourceful under pressure.
• Strong knowledge and experience in developing training and resource materials as well as facilitation of trainings to various stakeholders and partners in development work

Support package

This is a voluntary assignment. CDF Canada supports volunteers through the provision of a comprehensive package designed to cover a modest and healthy lifestyle, while allowing for effectiveness in the placement:

• Monthly allowance.
• Return-trip international and/or domestic airfare.
• Visa-related costs (if needed).
• International health insurance.
• Vaccination and health-related costs (if needed).
• Interpreter and/or translator (if needed and depending on the position and duration of the assignment).
• Pre-departure support and orientation.
• Support and orientation during the assignment.
• Debriefing upon completion of the assignment.

E-volunteering

Depending on the nature of the placement, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to our local partners before or after their placement.

Engaging Canadians

CDF Canada provides technical and logistical support to young and experienced professionals through volunteer assignments to apply and acquire new skills and knowledge in international co-operative development. We ask each volunteer, regardless of the duration of their mandate, to share their experience during and/or at the end of their assignment either in the country of assignment or in Canada. The experience can be shared by providing stories of human interest and photographs that can be used for social media outreach; Participate in events/conferences or other public engagement activities to share their experience to motivate others.

Application Process

Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume, by applying directly on our recruitment webpage. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Successful candidates will be required to obtain a police-check from their local police or RCMP detachment. All applicants are thanked for their interest in CDF Canada; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.