Cuso International is a development organization that works to reduce poverty and inequality through the efforts of highly skilled volunteers, collaborative partnerships and compassionate donors.
Communications Advisor
Job Description
Communications Advisor
Nigeria
6 Months | Start Date between Jul – Sep 2017
Location Nigeria
Start Date Jul – Sep 2017 (flexible)
Length of Placement 6 Months
Language Requirements English
English Reading: Level 5, Writing: Level 5, Speaking: Level 5
Language Scale: http://www.cusointernational.org/languageratingscale
Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only
The Volunteer’s Role
The Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Access and Development (YouLead) project is based in Cross River State, Nigeria. The initiative promotes youth entrepreneurship and employment in natural resource sectors of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and eco-tourism. The project’s objectives are to reduce youth unemployment by improving entrepreneurial capacities of young women and men, as well as the policies, regulations and enabling environment required to create jobs and economic opportunities in natural resources.
As a volunteer, you will continue working on the project that was started by a volunteer currently in placement and facilitate the development and implementation of a communication strategy that will support Cuso International’s YouLead project. You will also bring your experience to be the support person for all internal and external communication and support the YouLead project’s website and social media platforms. Come support the inclusive development of the Cross River State and work with a diverse team of partners and profesionnals in the area!
As a volunteer, you will:
– Identify and analyze the communication needs of stakeholders (including staff, donor agencies and community, members) and develop materials to address and respond to the communication needs of stakeholders
– Work with the Communications Officer to manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of all print and electronic materials that include newsletters, brochures, annual reports, e-newsletters, the YouLead website and social media accounts
– Work closely with members of the YouLead team to organize media events, including press conferences, talk show interviews, documentaries, etc.
– Work with the Team Leader to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the YouLead project’s communication strategy
– Track and respond to general inquiries from the public
Essential Academic Qualifications:
– Bachelor’s Degree, college diploma in Communications, Marketing, Computer Science, Public Relations or related field
Essential Professional Background:
– At least 2 years of professional experience working in development communications in an NGO or other reputable organization
– Experience developing diverse communication and promotional materials
– Experience in media relations and media campaigns
– Excellent reporting skills
– Proficient spoken and written English is essential
About Our Partner
Cuso International Nigeria Program Office
Cuso International has supported Nigeria’s development priorities since 1961 through their work in the education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihood, youth employment and entrepreneurship sectors. Cuso International is now executing the YouLead project in Nigeria that is supported by the Government of Canada.
The YouLead project is designed to promote youth employment through job creation and entrepreneurship in the natural resources sectors — agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and ecotourism — as well as to support state government institutions in developing natural resource policies and programs. YouLead will support skills transferal and growth in the small business sector by matching experienced Nigerian and Canadian professionals with Nigerian youth.
Cuso International is currently exploring opportunities to widen their scope of work in Nigeria with the potential of implementing a health program in Cross River State that could expand to the Lagos State over the next 5 years. The main goal of the health program would be to increase the quality and gender responsiveness of health services for women, children and youth by ministries, departments, agencies and civil society organizations.
Terms and Conditions
Cuso International terms and conditions allow you to lead a modest and healthy lifestyle while being effective in your placement. This support package will cover basic living expenses for one volunteer and is not intended to cover home-based expenses (ex. loans, support payments, etc.) or luxury items such as imported items in placement or international personal travel.
Support Package
– Modest monthly living allowance (varies depending country)
– Accommodation while in placement
– Return airfare and visa/work permit costs
– Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and health insurance
– Pre-departure training and in-country orientation
– Travel and accommodation for reintegration debriefing weekend
– Modest support for accompanying partners and dependents going on placement with you for 12 months or longer
– Access to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon return
– Cuso International assessment day (Candidates must cover the first $200 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and all accommodation costs).
– Travel and accommodation for the five-day pre-departure training course and for in-country orientation
Fundraising
We ask each volunteer, regardless of placement length, to raise $2,000. All volunteers receive support from Cuso International to help achieve the goal through fundraising. If the volunteer chooses not to fundraise or is unable to achieve the fundraising goal, he/she can make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor to support our work.
E-volunteering
Depending on the nature of the placement, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to the local partner or Cuso International before or after the field placement. Volunteers also have the option of requesting support from an e-volunteer to help them with their work while they are in placement.
Residency and Citizenship
Residency
The majority of Cuso International volunteer applicants are residing in Canada at the time of application and during the pre-departure process. Occasionally we received applications from volunteer applicants who are residing outside of Canada at the time of application. In both instances, between your application date and placement start date, we must be able to contact you and you must be able to contact us easily and promptly throughout the process.
We may require your passport and would need to be aware of your current place of residence and any travel plans you may have during this time. You will also require unrestricted access to Canada during this time for assessment and training, as applicable.
Citizenship
Leaving your country of residence can have significant effects on your citizenship status in that country. It is your responsibility to research the consequences of travelling to Canada during the pre-departure process if you are living outside of Canada and of leaving your country of residence for a placement with the immigration authority where you live.
By applying to this placement, you accept full responsibility for any consequences related to your citizenship, residency and immigration status or penalties as a result of travel to an assessment day, training course, international placement or other Cuso International related travel.
You must check the implications that apply to you, but examples include:
- Canadian permanent residents may need to make arrangements with immigration authorities before travelling. These arrangements allow them to travel without risk to their status in Canada. Without them, residency status may be withdrawn.
- Citizens of other countries, including those visiting Canada on a visa, may have travel restrictions.
Volunteer Story
My name is Harsh Sodhi, and I am currently enrolled in the full time MBA program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. Last year, Rotman entered into a partnership with Cuso International, whereby, in order to get hands on experience, students who have completed their first year of school can be placed in different parts of the world where Cuso International has a footprint. I spent 10 weeks working with Cuso International on the Youth Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Access and Development (YouLead) project in Calabar, Nigeria.
The YouLead project aims to create employment for youth, specifically in the agribusiness sector, in Cross River State. Project goals include training 12,000 people in the basics of running a business, creating 4,500 new businesses, and creating 2,000 jobs in already established businesses. My specific contribution to the YouLead project is in the form of providing business development support and advice. As such, the work I have done includes site visits to three new Local Government Areas, the creation of a financial literacy pack, data analysis of the project’s grant giving process, and recommendations on how to improve training materials.
As a result of the analysis conducted, the grant process is undergoing a review to make it more effective. Further, the financial literacy pack will ensure that entrepreneurs who were not practicing any form of bookkeeping will now accurately track the financial performance of their businesses, thus opening up avenues of credit from financial institutions.
I am very happy that I have been able to make this contribution and hope that the work I have done will have a long term impact in the lives of the people in Cross River State.
More Information
- Job City Nigeria
