Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: GHANA

Communication Advisor

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Location:   This position is in the field (Tamale)

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 VOICE project is currently working on our communication strategy. The project has completed its preliminary engagement to determine the stakeholders, audience, the various platforms through which VOICE project could reach out to the public and enhance visibility. The VOICE project is at the point of selecting an appropriate platform and developing the needed content in a format that applies to the platform. VOICE could benefit from expertise in setting up communication systems which allows to reach the project partners, communities, stakeholders, and co-ops groups

The Credit unions require support in organising their information that allows for easy access and referencing. You will also support the credit union to developing, revising and improving their communication platforms. Support the partner and the credit union mother organisation (CUA) by providing advise on how their communication platform intend could be improved for larger reach and visibility. Your task as a volunteer is to work with the various actors mentioned above to get the tasks identified accomplished.

Deliverables

The desired Communication Advisor will be based in Tamale and is expected to carry out the following key duties and responsibilities.

·        Lead on the communication strategy, and train local partner staff and other volunteers on communications best practices

·        Support the credit unions to develop their communication platforms and improve public reach and visibility

·        Document, support other volunteers and share success stories

·        Work in collaboration with the CDF Canada Communications person, for effective public engagement in Canada

·        Participate in public engagement activities during and post mandate in Canada to increase awareness of the VCP and international development amongst the Canadian population

·        Be willing to initiate and participate in fundraising activities in collaboration with CDF Canada

Your qualifications

Education:

·        Degree in communication, journalism, media and development, media and communication, international relations, mass communication, public relations, or closely related disciplines.

Experience:

• 2-3 years progressive work experience in developing and or updating communication strategies for organisation working in community development to communicate their project successes.
• Good understanding of and practical use of various communication platforms especially social media handles. Be able to create appropriate content (text, pictures, documentary, podcast,) and other multimedia content audio and video editing, host and maintain in an appropriate platform
• Knowledge and experience in the development of communication strategies specifically in developing countries.

·        Experience on training material development

·        Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to engage varied stakeholders.

·        Strong oral and written communication skills in the English language. Other local languages are an asset.

·        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 skills in writing small proposals

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.