Ghana Communications and Mobilization Officer

Background: Youth Challenge International is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Building on over 20 years of experience, YCI’s programs are designed to meet the needs of youth affected by poverty through three integrated sectors: youth leadership, youth health and youth livelihoods. YCI engages youth in creating solutions to the challenges they face, incorporating youth development, volunteerism, partnership, and equity into all that we do (www.yci.org).

Partner Organization: Youth Empowerment Synergy (YES- Ghana) is currently a leader in youth led development in Ghana, run by youth, for youth. YES and YCI have partnered to work on key programming areas throughout Ghana including Youth Employability and Active Citizenship.

Position Description: • Develop and implement a communications and outreach strategy for a new project that will mobilize youth around the Ghanaian 2012 elections. • Lead mobilization efforts to engage youth and key stakeholders in the project. • Maintain a vibrant online community for the project, through a project website and social media. • Maintain a strong relationship with the media and coordinate all media activities under the project.

Desired Background and Qualifications: • Post-secondary graduate in communications, international development or related field • Strong working knowledge of issues related to good governance, gender and youth • Demonstrated mobilization and campaigning experience • Good networking skills • Experience in web 2.0 and online advocacy • Ability to work in an environment with limited resources and minimal supervision • Excellent verbal and written communication skills • Good cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills • Possess a great deal of initiative and flexibility • Prior overseas experience an asset

General Requirements: • A Canadian citizen or permanent resident • Between the ages of 19 and 30 • A post-secondary graduate • Out of school with no outstanding requirements for graduation • Ready to begin your professional career • Unemployed or underemployed • Legally entitled to work in Canada

What’s Provided by YCI: • Return airfare • Pre-departure training and re-orientation upon return • Living allowance to cover accommodation, food and local transport • Medical insurance and vaccination stipend • Visa related costs • Professional development coaching and support

How to apply:

Please submit a cover letter and CV as a single document to intern@yci.org by January 2, 2012 with the position you are applying for in the subject line.