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: Women in  Entrepreneurship - International Seminar Participant
Partner(s): MBC Africa
Country And Place Of Assignment:  Ghana, Accra
Contract Duration: 2 weeks

Uniterra is a leading Canadian international volunteer cooperation and development program, jointly implemented by the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI) and World University Service of Canada (WUSC).

Uniterra contributes to improving the socio-economic conditions of poor and marginalized communities in 14 countries and with over 170 partners in Africa, Asia and the Americas through the exchange of expertise and knowledge of Canadian and international volunteers. Uniterra believes that economic growth, when inclusive, is the most powerful driver of poverty reduction. The purpose of the Uniterra program is to improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations by stimulating growth and facilitating access to the benefits of growing and diversified markets. To make this happen, we are working with our local partners to enhance the income of poor and marginalized women and youth through better access to employment and income generation opportunities. Uniterra country program staff work with our local partners to design Uniterra assignments in the context of the country strategy, supporting the inclusion of women and youth in key economic sub sectors.

For more information on the Uniterra program, our approach and countries of focus please visit: Uniterra.ca.

Seminar Description

The International Seminar has connected youth from different parts of the world for the past seventy years, creating a space for the sharing of both experiences and knowledge. The 2018 International Seminar will focus on women in entrepreneurship and will be an opportunity for young entrepreneurs from Ghana and Canada to come together to share experiences, develop knowledge and skills, and build networks. The group will be comprised of twenty young entrepreneurs, ten from Ghana and ten from Canada, who are in the early stages of building their business or social business ventures. The two-week program will provide the young entrepreneurs the opportunity to foster and strengthen their entrepreneurial skills through peer-to-peer mentorship, learning, and cross-cultural collaboration. The participants will also take part in guided programming that aims to build general entrepreneurial attitudes  and address issues facing women in entrepreneurship.

Responsibilities:

• Take part in conversations, online meetups and activities with other International Seminar participants prior to Seminar
• Actively participate in workshops and trainings during the Seminar aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial skills
• Share best practices and lessons learned about your business and experience as an entrepreneur with other participants
• Share and exchange with Seminar participants on barriers to entrepreneurship for women and youth in both Ghana and Canada
• In collaboration with the other participants, develop recommendations to the Uniterra program on how best to support young female entrepreneurs  
• Share your seminar experience during outreach activities in Ghana
• Prepare and draft reports as required by the Seminar coordinators and the Uniterra program
• Please note that some time will be allocated to work on your venture during the Seminar, however you must be able to commit to all Seminar activities

The 2018 International Seminar will take place in Accra, Ghana, from October 14th-27th.  

Required Skills or Experience

• Identify as youth (be between the ages of 18 and 35);
• Have a business venture or startup in the incubation or infancy stage
• Interest in exploring and discussing barriers that women in entrepreneurship face both in Ghana and Canada
• Interest in international development and international issues;
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Strong teamwork skills
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability in new situations;
• Interest in creating cross-cultural connections and networks;
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills;
• Proficiency in written and oral English.