Company Profile

WUSC (World University Service of Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion for youth around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. WUSC currently works in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $40 million. We have over 90 staff in our Ottawa office, and over 200 people overseas implementing 16 development projects in collaboration with donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Mastercard Foundation and the African Development Bank.

Job Description

• Position location: Accra, Ghana 
• Reports to: Uniterra Country Coordinator 
• Volunteer contract term: 6 months 
• Start date: June 18st, 2018
• Application deadline: May 20th, 2018

• Lead and participate in International Seminar planning committee (weekly Skype meetings with appropriate stakeholders) ; 
• Support the planning and implementation of event activities
• Oversee the event logistics (travel, catering, accommodation, etc.), ensuring that the highest standards are upheld and follow a detailed work plan;  
• In consultation with the Uniterra Country Coordinator in Ghana, call on and collaborate with different services, committees and people involved in the planning of events;  
• Draft a detailed workplan with key tasks, responsabilities and dates; identify internal collaborators and delegate tasks prior to and during the event.  Provide guidance as needed; 
• Maintain an open line of communication between Ghana and Canada for decision-making and approvals and be aware of any need that may arise;
• Determine which logistical services will be required (rooms, caterers, facilitators, etc.), identify suppliers, establish contracts and manage payments; 
• Coordinate internal and external communications (including social media and publicity related to the event) with key actors and partners in Ghana to raise the profile of the International Seminar and recruit potential speakers/workshop facilitators;
• Work within established budgets and provide weekly, monthly and end of mandate budget updates as needed; 
• Monitor and evaluate event activities, submit a final report evaluating the event as a whole and provide recommendations for future events as required;  
• Support and advise the participants as they prepare for the Seminar, in part through interactive social media platforms; 
• Provide continuous guidance to Seminar participants around managing expectations, intercultural communication, and conflict resolution;
• Support Seminar participants on a personal level as needed (emotional, cultural, health etc.);
• Coordinate sessions, visits and cultural meetings planned during the Seminar;
• Facilitate workshops, debates and roundtables during the Seminar, as needed
• Consider and incorporate Gender Equality principles in all tasks, including when  developing tools and communications material;  
• In collaboration with the Canadian International Seminar Coordinator, draft the Seminar’s final report and other key reference documents as required by the partner organization and the Uniterra program; 
• Be available to work long hours in the lead up to the event; 
• Respond to urgent requests and be available on short notice when required; and 
• Any other task as required or as requested by the Uniterra Country Coordinator in Ghana

Uniterra Volunteer Benefits and support

• In-country orientation and briefing.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Modest monthly living allowance 
• An incredible opportunity to enhance your professional skills and participate in an experience of a lifetime!

Required Skills or Experience

• Experience in event planning and management;
• Experience in group-based facilitation for training and learning;
• Keen entrepreneurial spirit with experience launching and managing own business venture (strong asset)  
• Strong knowledge of Ghanaian entrepreneurship and youth engagement ecosystem; 
• Excellent ability to formulate creative ideas, design event activities and scenarios, negotiate arrangements and manage a successful event targeted at a specific audience
• Strong attention to detail
• Excellent communication, negotiation, problem-solving, team leadership, customer service, organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to prioritize, budget, work under pressure and meet deadlines while managing simultaneous tasks;
• Commitment to Gender Equality and women’s empowerment;   
• Ability to work autonomously, to be flexible and have an easiness to adapt to and respect different cultures.