Information Technology Advisor | Ghana | Volunteer Internationally

***Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only***

Assignment Type: Canadian E-volunteer

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

Assignment ID: VA-107449

Assignment Title: Information Technology Advisor

Partner: Farm Radio International – Ghana

Country: Ghana

Duration: Two to five months

Time Commitment: 5 to 35 hours per week (flexible)

Assignment Context

Farm Radio International (FRI) is a Canadian non-profit organization at the forefront of ICT-enabled extensions and communications for scale. FRI’s interactive rural radio approach addresses the information, communication and extension needs of millions of small-scale farmers, rural entrepreneurs and citizens. FRI’s core expertise is collaborative, results-based program development combining radio and mobile phones, and other ICTs and face-to-face interaction. FRI has developed a series of interactive radio-based approaches tailored to achieve different outcomes: awareness, knowledge; market linkages; adoption of good practice; and changes in attitude and behavior.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy an AI-based tool that generates customizable radio scripts based on user inputs (topic, audience, language, and format)
• Integrate large language models (LLMs) and datasets relevant to agriculture, climate, health, and rural development
• Develop a simple, intuitive web-based or mobile interface for broadcasters and producers
• Ensure multilingual support and adaptability for local African contexts and dialects
• Collaborate with Farm Radio International’s content, ICT, and research teams to align the tool with editorial standards and community needs
• Test, refine, and document the system to ensure long-term scalability and maintainability
• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or after the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers will also have to 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 up to 2 years after 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 support to achieve the fundraising goal
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, AI, or related field
• Proven experience in AI/ML model integration, especially with natural language generation (NLG) tools
• Strong programming skills in Python, JavaScript, or similar languages
• Experience with OpenAI API, Hugging Face, or other AI platforms
• Familiarity with web application frameworks (e.g., Django, Flask, React)
• Understanding of content generation, localization, and development communication is an asset
• International experience or experience working in cross-cultural environments is considered an asset fluency in English is required
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development considered an asset
• Written and oral fluency in English.

Project Description

Volunteering for development is one of the important ways in which WUSC pursues its mission. The IGNI+E project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, supports over 70 partner organizations to advance gender equality and the economic empowerment of 1.2 million youth around the world. IGNI+E harnesses the knowledge, capacity and expertise of skilled Canadians through volunteer assignments and public engagement activities to assist partners in improving their performance, advocating for gender equality, and implementing more sustainable, innovative and inclusive initiatives and services for poor and marginalised youth, particularly young women. Overseas, our volunteers collaborate with a wide variety of partners, including enterprise and social enterprise development incubators, skills training centres, women’s organizations, and youth groups. In Canada, WUSC works with institutions and individuals to identify, prepare, and support volunteers who travel overseas to support our partners. Our network in Canada also works with WUSC to raise awareness among Canadians to inspire greater action on global development issues. Our collective focus is on sustainable and inclusive changes to create a better world for youth.

Partner Description

Farm Radio International (FRI) is a Canadian non-profit organization at the forefront of ICT-enabled extensions and communications for scale. FRI’s interactive rural radio approach addresses the information, communication and extension needs of millions of small-scale farmers, rural entrepreneurs and citizens. FRI’s core expertise is collaborative, results-based program development combining radio and mobile phones, and other ICTs and face-to-face interaction. FRI has developed a series of interactive radio-based approaches tailored to achieve different outcomes: awareness, knowledge; market linkages; adoption of good practice; and changes in attitude and behavior.

Support Package

• Support and guidance from the WUSC Volunteer Mobilization Team prior to assignment and from the WUSC Country Team while on assignment
• Pre-assignment training where you will have the opportunity to learn about the program, gain practical skills for e-volunteering in an intercultural context and meet other e-volunteers
• Country orientation to better understand the cultural context of the country
• 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!