Environmental Sustainability Advisor | Ghana | Canadian International Volunteer

Assignment Type: Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements: Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID: VA-107412

Assignment Title: Environmental Sustainability Advisor

Partner: WUSC Ghana

Country: Ghana

Duration: 6 – 12 months (flexible)

Time Commitment: Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about driving environmental sustainability and combating climate change through strategic collaborations? Do you excel at promoting green innovation and sustainable development?

As an Environmental Sustainability Advisor with WUSC Ghana in Accra, Ghana, you will be pivotal in integrating the environmental and green practices into EMPLOY’s project activities and provide capacity strengthening to partner staff. This role is crafted for a proactive individual with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship, who can utilize their expertise to enhance the EMPLOY project’s impact. Join us in creating a more sustainable future through innovative partnerships and strategic growth.

Apply today to have an impact on women’s economic empowerment in Accra, Ghana!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments to identify how to better integrate environmental sensitivity with project activities in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector
• Support the project’s Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to identify the environmental gaps in their operations and to develop a strategy to mainstream environmentally sustainable practices
• Ensure compliance with environmental strategy and indicators
• Raise awareness about the importance of environmental considerations among staff, partners, participants and stakeholders
• Collaborate with project partners, to promote sustainable practices in the TVET sector
• Ensure all project activities prioritize gender inclusivity and environmental sustainability
• Support team staff in their daily tasks and activities
• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or within 6 months after the end of the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers must also report on each of their public engagement activities through our Volunteer Information Portal. Virtual chats and individual check-ins can be booked with the Senior Public Engagement Officer throughout the course of their assignment and during the 6 months following its completion to seek guidance and support with their public engagement activities.
• Canadian volunteers are required to do at least one activity that contributes to meeting a fundraising target of $1,500. The minimum requirement is met by each volunteer using our Volunteer Information Portal to report having sent one message to their network about their volunteer assignment that includes the link to the WUSC Shared Impact Fund webpage. This message also counts as one of their three required public engagement activities. Volunteers will be supported with the tools, training, and resources to achieve the fundraising goal.
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following: Environmental Science, Climate Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Policy, Sustainability Studies, Ecology, Geography
• Proven experience conducting environmental awareness sessions and implementing sustainability initiatives.
• Passion for environmental sustainability and a commitment to promoting green practices
• Background in environmental science, sustainability, or a related field
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development considered an asset
• Experience living and working internationally considered an asset
• Written and oral fluency in English.

Partner Description

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization with a mission to enhance education, economic opportunities, and empowerment for youth. WUSC works with a diverse network of volunteers, students, institutions, governments, and businesses. Together, WUSC and its networks foster youth-centered solutions to overcome inequality and exclusion, with a vision of a better world for all young people. Funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the IGNI+E project (Innovative Global Networks for Inclusion + Equality, pronounced ‘ignite’) will be implemented in at least 8 countries between 2020-27. By strengthening the performance of key stakeholders in the employment/self-employment ecosystem including service delivery organizations, employers, government bodies, civil society organizations, training institutions and women’s organizations, the IGNI+E project will improve the socio-economic well-being of poor and marginalized youth, particularly young women. In some countries, the project will also target youth and young women with compounding vulnerabilities, such as forcibly displaced youth, marginalized women and youth impacted by climate change. To support partners to generate inclusive and sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, 1 million Canadians will be engaged along a continuum of awareness to action on key global issues, with 50,000 Canadians undertaking an action to sustain IGNI+E’s development impact.

Support Package

• Support and guidance from the WUSC Volunteer Mobilization Team prior to departure and from the WUSC Country Team while on assignment
• Pre-departure training to learn about the volunteering for development program, gain practical skills for living and working in an intercultural context and network with other volunteers
• In-country orientation upon arrival in country of assignment
• Language training in country of assignment, where required
• Modest monthly living and accommodation allowance
• Airfare to and from the assignment country
• Visa/work permit
• Pre-departure medical exam
• Health insurance
• Vaccinations and antimalarial medication
• Criminal record verification
• Vacation leave entitlement
• Debriefing after completion of assignment
• An incredible opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to global development, enhance your professional skills and participate in an experience of a lifetime!