General Application
Summary
Are you interested in becoming a HerStart Fellow but are not sure which role is the best fit for you? Or are you open to all of the fellowship roles and finding it hard to pick your top choice? The general application may be the right option for you! Instead of applying for a specific fellowship role, you can submit a general application; this will indicate that you would like YCI staff to provide support in finding the right role for you. If you select ‘General Application’ as the role you are applying for and are selected for an interview, YCI will discuss specific volunteer opportunities with you that are aligned with your skills, experience and interests.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
Key duties and responsibilities will be dependent on the fellowship role you are assigned; these will be in alignment with your skills, interests and the needs of the HerStart program and partners.
Check out our Stories to learn about the experiences of different HerStart International Fellows!
Desired Qualifications for this Position
- Motivated to contribute your unique knowledge and skill sets to support impact-driven organizations focused on youth engagement, gender equality and social entrepreneurship
- Passion for learning, facilitation and supporting the knowledge and skill development of others
- Tech-savvy with knowledge of diverse platforms and interest in learning new ones (including Canva, Slack, Airtable, and Mighty Networks)
- Excellent organization and time management skills, including the ability to work independently
- Ability to be proactive, flexible and take initiative
- Committed to working with others in an equitable and inclusive manner
- Ability to effectively collaborate with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which includes openness to differing opinions and views
Eligibility Requirements
- Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Fluent or professional level English skills (written and verbal)
- Demonstrated interest in the fields of international development, gender equality, climate action and/or social entrepreneurship
- Enrolled in or graduated from a post-secondary institution (or have equivalent work experience)
- Ability to commit to the full length of placement with full-time hours, including a week of pre-departure training online
- Contribute to the HerStart Catalyst Fund, which provides grants to women-led social enterprises, by reaching the fundraising goal of $2,500 CAD with support from the YCI team
- Access to a personal computer for duration of placement
*Note: Individuals from all age, gender, academic and professional backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Benefits
- Gain professional global experience: Engage in a high-quality international volunteer program with YCI – an organization with over 30 years of experience. The Fellowship program includes comprehensive pre-departure training before you go, as well as ongoing health and safety and reintegration support.
- Contribute to women’s economic empowerment: Connect and collaborate with young women, communities and global partners, meaningfully contributing your time to help grow the social entrepreneurship ecosystem in Ghana, Tanzania or Uganda.
- Amplify your personal growth: Participate in unique opportunities to boost your CV and build transferable skills, such as effective cross-cultural communication, project management, research and more.
- Access high quality training and resources: Receive specialized training and resources from our global partners who are subject matter experts in their fields, including gender equality, social enterprise and climate action.
- Be part of an international network: Connect with like-minded, passionate Canadians, partner organizations and youth around the globe. Joining this network will include first access to future YCI opportunities, domestically and internationally.
For more information about the HerStart International Fellowship benefits and support package, including the expenses covered by YCI, please review the fellowship FAQ page here!
Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation
YCI recognizes the unequal power dynamics inherent in international development work and our responsibility to protect the human rights of the communities we serve and provide an environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse. Youth Challenge International (YCI) commits to a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and has a policy in place to ensure all staff, fellows and partners are aware of these commitments.