Research Capacity Development Advisor | Jordan | Volunteer Internationally

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

Assignment Type: Canadian International Volunteer

Assignment ID: VA-107253

Assignment Title: Research Capacity Development Advisor

Partner: King Hussein Foundation

Country: Jordan

Duration: 4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment: Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about advancing research excellence and empowering academic communities? Join King Hussein Foundation in shaping the future of research through impactful training and innovative methodologies. Be part of their dynamic initiative driving capacity development in higher education and research institutions.

Apply today to have an impact on inclusion, equality, and empowerment in Jordan!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Integrate emerging trends in research methodologies, digital scholarship, and policy development into training content to ensure relevance and alignment with current best practices
• Design and deliver engaging, interactive training materials, including presentations, guides, toolkits, case studies, and digital learning resources
• Develop, update, and customize training modules tailored to the specific needs of the research team
• Facilitate practical, hands-on sessions on Artificial Intelligence applications in research, such as data analysis, literature reviews, predictive modeling, and AI-assisted writing
• Advise on and support the development and revision of institutional research policies and procedures, including those related to ethics, data management, and other key areas
• 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

• Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant field
• Proven experience in training or capacity development in research institutions or academic environments
• Strong knowledge of advanced research methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods)
• Experience in using AI and digital tools in research
• Familiarity with institutional research policies, ethics, and governance frameworks
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage diverse learner groups
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivits
• 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.

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

The King Hussein Foundation was founded in 1999 by Her Majesty Queen Noor to give enduring life to His Majesty King Hussein’s humanitarian vision and legacy by fostering equitable access for Jordanian and regional citizens to socio-economic, educational, health, and cultural opportunities for women, youth, and the marginalized to enable them to contribute meaningfully to national and regional development. The Foundation was built, in part, on the best practice sustainable development initiatives of the Noor Al Hussein Foundation which originated in the early 1980s.Our programs have advanced development thinking in the region, through pioneering programs in poverty eradication, women’s empowerment, refugee and trauma support, education, microfinance, family health, and cross-cultural exchange providing training and capacity-building expertise across Jordan and in the MENA and West Asian Regions.

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!