Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Ghana

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Advisor

Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Location:   This position is in the field (Kpandai)

Start Date:   As soon as possible.

Duration:   3 months

Language Requirement:   English (Mandatory)

Reporting to:   Country Program Officer

The Program – VOICE for Women and Girls

VOICE for Women and Girls, funded by the government of Canada, is a volunteer cooperation program (2020 – 2028) that aims to strengthen the performance of country partner organizations to advance gender equality and economic empowerment of 50,000 co-operative and credit union members from marginalized communities in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.

The program, supported by volunteers, strives to address the challenges and barriers that adversely affect the economic and social well-being of vulnerable groups, with particular emphasis on women and girls. VOICE aims to respond to the needs identified by these groups and to increase the capacities of individual producers and primary co-operatives, to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. Supporting institutions such as apex co-operatives, co-operative colleges, and government/regulatory bodies will also be engaged to increase the capacity and prioritization of vulnerable groups.

The Partner you will work with

SEND Ghana has previously implemented the ACCESS and Fostering project and in some initiatives including 4R-NSP in partnership with CDF with funding from GAC. SEND Ghana focuses on research and advocacy to increase good governance practices of accountability, transparency, equity and participation in pro-poor policies and social services as well as empowers resource poor women and men to expand their small enterprises to improve income and farmers to increase food and nutrition security

What you will do – Activities and deliverables

Your assignment

The Gender Volunteer will be based in Kpandai and 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 with credit unions, DCP and relevant stakeholders that the VOICE project is working with.  On a regular basis the advisor is expected to host meetings and training sessions with the managers of the credit Unions in the branch or branches where he/she has been assigned. This mandate is estimated to last for one year and will consider only candidates who will be willing to commit a minimum of 6 months.

The VOICE project has conducted gender assessment for the project to elicit information on the major gender issues that needs to be addressed to enable the VOICE for women and girls project to achieve its objective and have the needed projected impact. The volunteer is expected to support development of a country gender equality strategy (GES) that is feasible and acceptable from the assessment and in consultation with the CDF gender specialist, the partner, and the relevant stakeholders in the districts. This position requires someone who has theoretical and practical experience leading and managing gender strategy programs within the NGO and international development work. This position will be located outfield and will require frequent travel to meet with key gender stakeholders at the district and branch level.

Deliverables

The desired gender advisor Volunteer is expected to carry out the following key duties and responsibilities.

·       Liaise with CPO and gender specialist at HQ to incorporate the response from the GES consultative workshop to complete and finalize the GES for Ghana

·       Collaborate with CPO and gender specialist to develop activities based on the GES for implementation to achieve the goals of the GES for Ghana

·       Support the cooperatives to develop their GES for their respective institutions.

·       Provide technical support to other volunteers on their training session plans to ensure that they have incorporated the needed gender content in their session plans and training materials.

·       Develop a Gender Training and Facilitation Manual (GTFM) to guide gender training and field facilitations.

·       Develop, mobilize, or organize materials for workshops on Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming to deliver training on specific activities outlined in the GES.

·       Capture and share success stories for volunteer engagement and impact.

·       Compile activity, monthly and end of mandates reports as expected.

·       Develop at least 2 SIF proposals on innovation to support gender mainstreaming and inclusion.

·       Participate in planning and reviewing project activities with other volunteers, partners, and CDF staff.

Your qualifications

Education:

·       Minimum of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in gender theories, approaches, and practical experience in gender field activities

Experience:

·       Experience and knowledge in gender strategy development, contemporary issues on gender, gender equality and social inclusion in developing countries.

·       The advisor should have a comprehensive knowledge of gender identities and how they intersect with other identities such as race, class, and sexuality.

·       Knowledge and skills in collecting and analyzing data to update the gender strategy.

·       Experience in Research and Data Analysis on Gender and Diversity

·       Formal gender studies are a must. 

·       Experience with Advocacy and Support for Gender-Inclusive Policies

·       Experience and knowledge of co-operatives. Proven experience in co-operative development in a developing country context will be an asset. 

·       Excellent Communication, interpersonal and Facilitation Skills

·       Excellent capacity to analyze, develop recommendations and capture lessons learned.

·       The ability to travel to and live in remote locations where services are minimal. 

·       Ability to work autonomously, be flexible and analytical.

·       Knowledge in community participation methodologies.

·       Experience facilitating group learning/training sessions or focus groups. 

·       Demonstrated ability and interest in communicating and interacting effectively with people of a different culture. 

·       Must be able to work alone as well as with the credit union.

·       Ability to transform complex concepts and information into plain language reports.

·       Demonstrated experience working internationally, including rural and remote contexts.

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:

·        Return-trip international and/or domestic airfare.

·        Visa-related costs (if needed).

·        Police record check.

·        International health insurance.

·        Vaccination and health-related costs (covered by the insurance if needed).

·        Interpreter and/or translator (if needed and depending on the assignment).

·        Modest monthly living allowance.

·        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 assignment, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to our local partners before or after their assignment.

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 assignment, to share their experience during and upon return to 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 other Canadians to volunteer.