HerStart National Fellow (Volunteer Role) at YCI

YCI is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Together with our partners we create market ready solutions that catapult youth around the world to succeed and prosper; we are driven by youth and their potential to affect positive change in the world. Our solutions are focused – always keeping the young people we are designing for and with at the center of the conversation. Our approach is rooted in creativity and constantly evolving to respond to changing needs and market realities.  YCI is an organization where diversity and talent come together to shape a better future for youth around the world.

HerStart: Innovate the Future
HerStart: Innovate the Future is an initiative developed by Youth Challenge International to foster and create innovative solutions for a more equitable and prosperous economy within Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda.

The program includes training and support for aspiring entrepreneurs in social enterprise, gender responsive business planning, the measurement of social impact, and access to finance. Canadian volunteers will be engaged in providing human capital support for activities through on-site placements and capacity building initiatives with partner organizations. Additionally, an entrepreneurial ecosystem will be catalyzed to identify and reduce gendered barriers, which will foster more enabling environments for young female entrepreneurs. This funding mechanism will also provide programmatic support for organizations to more effectively deliver gender-responsive activities that drive sustainable business ventures.

For this project, YCI has partnered with Salanga to support a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and data management system (Kinaki), and to establish a framework in alignment with donor requirements. Data management takes place in Salanga’s cloud based platform, Kinaki.

Job Description

• Volunteer Placement Duration: April 3 – October 3, 2023 
• Time Commitment: 40 hours/week 
• Location: Tamale, Ghana 

Summary
The National Volunteer will contribute to the success of Youth Challenge International’s HerStart Innovate the Future program by providing support to communications, facilitation, and volunteer coordination. This is an opportunity to strengthen your CV with practical project coordination, research, facilitation, and public engagement experience. In the process, you will learn about women’s empowerment, climate action and social entrepreneurship – pivotal frameworks that are shaping the future of work and social impact globally.

Key Roles and Responsibilities 
Volunteer Support: In collaboration with staff and partners, support International Fellows through onboarding, in-country orientation, deliverable planning, translation needs and ongoing support towards successful integration into the country and a meaningful volunteer placement.

Operations & Capacity Building: Actively engage in and complete orientation training modules on critical topics, including social entrepreneurship, climate action and gender equality; Help to facilitate organizational learning and capacity strengthening engagements in collaboration with International Fellows for local partners and staff; Support with procurement processes, administration and logistics for the program.

Communications & Program Coordination: Assist with the planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the HerStart Catalyst Fund; Develop and promote communications materials and success stories, including internal newsletters, social media content and the HerStory Podcast series; Provide additional support and mentorship to entrepreneurs in the HerStart training programs, as needed; Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Required Skills or Experience

• Diploma/First Degree qualifications
• Previous knowledge and experience in volunteer/youth engagement and women’s empowerment
• Experience in mentorship, outreach, and community building
• Experience in facilitating, training, developing educational resources, and designing communications materials
• Knowledge and skills in monitoring and evaluation and/or research is considered an asset
• Strong communications and design skills with high attention to detail
• Tech-savvy with knowledge of diverse platforms and interest in learning new ones (including Canva, Slack, Airtable and Mighty Networks)
• Strong organization, teamwork, and time management skills
• Ability to be proactive, flexible and take initiative
• Ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes openness to differing opinions and views.

• Must be currently living in Tamale and able to commute to the YCI office
• Ability to commit to a full-time, 6-month volunteer placement
• Professional level English skills (written and verbal)
• Currently enrolled in or graduated from a relevant post-secondary degree or diploma, or have the equivalent work experience
• Demonstrated interest in the fields of international cooperation, gender equality and/or social entrepreneurship
• Flexibility in schedule (able to attend training and meetings, sometimes coordinated across different time zones)
• Proficiency in standard software applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)
• Note: Individuals of all demographics, academic and professional backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply, particularly women.

• Contribute to women’s economic empowerment: Connect and collaborate with young women, communities, and global partners, meaningfully contributing your time to help grow the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ghana, Tanzania, or Uganda.
• Amplify your personal and professional growth: Participate in unique opportunities to boost your CV and build transferable skills, such as effective cross-cultural communication, MEL, volunteer coordination, training facilitation, and more.
• Access high-quality training and resources: Receive specialized training and resources from our global partners who are subject matter experts in their fields, including gender equality, social enterprise, and climate action.
• Be part of an international network: Connect with like-minded, passionate staff, partner organizations and youth from around the globe. Joining this network will include first access to future YCI opportunities, domestically and internationally.
• Receive Transportation Reimbursement: National Fellows can receive a daily transportation cost reimbursement of up to 975 GHS where required.