Youth Engagement Officer

About EQWIP HUBs

EQWIP HUBs is a global network of innovation spaces where youth develop market-relevant skills and gain access to the mentorship, networks, technology and capital to transition to the workforce or to launch a new wave of youth-owned enterprise. Hosted by local Partner Organizations in 12 urban centers across Bolivia, Ghana, Indonesia, Peru, Senegal, and Tanzania, EQWIP HUBs is a unique platform for youth peer-to-peer collaboration.

EQWIP HUBs is a joint project of Canada World Youth (CWY) and Youth Challenge International (YCI), two world-renowned catalysts of innovative youth development and global exchange solutions, with generous funding support from the Government of Canada.

The Role:

EQWIP HUBs is looking for Youth Engagement Officers who will work with staff and local partner organizations to strengthen the project platforms that support youth to access the HUBs, HUB services and the EQWIP HUBs training program.

As a Youth Engagement Officer, you will support the development of the youth outreach and engagement strategy, the identification of available resources and opportunities for youth in their communities, the delivery of youth needs-based activities in the HUB, support the application process for youth’s enrollment in the program, and provide support and direction to enhance the HUB space to be more youth-friendly. You have a passion for youth engagement, peer-to-peer coaching, and gender equality.

As a volunteer you will:

• Support the project’s youth outreach and engagement strategy by developing creative activities and approaches to attract and retain youth
• Collaborate with the partner organization and HUB staff to support the design, planning and delivery of support services at the HUB such as job fairs, HUB talks, informational workshops and more
• Leverage the community assets, resources, needs and opportunities through community mapping to better inform the development of targeted youth services and activities
• Collaborate with EQWIP HUBs team to ensure program activities’ design and development address needs of youth
• Support the Partner and HUB Coordinator to develop and maintain a ‘Youth Friendly’ HUB space
• Assist with the planning and delivery of ‘youth friendly’ events at the HUB
• Employ capacity building principles in the development and implementation of all activities
• Develop, document and share all tools and materials developed with partners and country staff
• Contribute to gender equality objectives of the project by ensuring the participation of women in all activities
• Additional responsibilities and tasks may be assigned based on HUB and Partner Organization priorities.

Qualifications and skills:

• University degree in community or international development or a relevant field
• Experience with youth-focused projects, ideally internationally, is an asset
• Knowledge or experience in the field of youth livelihoods and youth engagement
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written), and organizational skills
• Strong adaptability, multitasking and public speaking skills, and comfortable in fast-paced environment
• Ability to thrive as part of a team, in person and remotely
• Capacity to work with minimal supervision and to manage multiple priorities
• Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral and written), and organizational skills

Terms and Conditions:

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to be eligible for this volunteer placement.

Most costs related to this placement are covered. EQWIP HUBs offers the following conditions that cover basic living expenses while in-country. They include:

Support and guidance prior to departure and while on assignment in country

• Online pre-departure training
• In-country orientation and briefing upon arrival in-country
• Language training in-country where required
• Return international flights and visa costs
• Health and emergency insurance
• Modest monthly living allowance while overseas. This allowance covers communications, housing and food costs and other typical monthly living expenses

Volunteers contribute to youth innovation

Successful applicants undertake to fundraise prior to departure. Volunteer contributions support the Youth Innovation Fund which provides small grants to local youth business start-ups. Fundraising goals are between $2,950 and $3,900 and based on placement length.