The International Youth Internship Program offers young post-secondary
graduates the opportunity to obtain international work experience in
their intended field. Ghost River Rediscovery is in its third year as
an implementing organization for the IYIP program. Our placements
specialize in international indigenous youth leadership and indigenous
community development.
Program Description
Ghost River Rediscovery is pleased to announce that this year we
received six professional levels under The Canadian International
Development Agency (CIDA) International Youth Internship Program
(IYIP). These positions provide the opportunity for six Canadian youth
ages 18-30 to obtain primary international work experience in the area
of "culture" and "identity". Participants gain valuable professional
skills while learning about the values and culture of indigenous
communities in Bolivia, Brazil and Guyana.
Each six-month placement consists of two weeks of training and
preparation in Canada, followed by six months in the overseas posts.
They all pertain to indigenous youth leadership development, however,
job postings will vary depending on location.
These positions provide participants with substantive knowledge,
program development skills, and hands-on international work experience.
It also gives young Canadian leaders the skills and opportunities to
shape their world, allowing them to become effective leaders and
positive agents of change within their own communities.
For more information regarding the IYIP program, please visit the CIDA IYIP website. (http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/internships)
• Be between 18 and 30 years of age (as of April 1, 2008)
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada
• Hold a post-secondary (college or university) diploma or degree
• Have never participated in an placement funded by the federal government's Youth
Employment Strategy program (please contact us if you are not sure)
• Be unemployed or underemployed
• Have no paid career-related international work experience
Additional skills required:
• Basic computer and Internet literacy, including word processing, e-mail skills and experience in using the World Wide Web
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English
• Able to live and work in multicultural environments
• Able to use this placement experience as a long-term employment strategy
• Flexible and adaptable
• International travel, study, or volunteer work experience preferred
Skills specific to:
• As focus on developing culturally-based programs for indigenous
youth, preference may be given to candidates who are Aboriginal or who
have knowledge of and experience working with Aboriginal peoples
• Preference may be given to candidates with Rediscovery experience and/or training
• Knowledge
of Spanish or Portuguese or a facility to learn languages is
required for the respective positions in Bolivia and Brazil.
You must be able to attend the orientation session to be considered for a placement.
You are responsible for the costs of travel to and from the Orientation
Session, which will take place in Calgary, Alberta. Departure dates for
the internships are early August.
Recruitment and Selection
Ghost River Rediscovery will be recruiting six participants for the
2008-2009 programs. The deadline to submit applications is May 15th,
2008.
Selection
Short-listed candidates will be contacted to set up an interview in
April/May 2008. Interviews take place either by phone or in person
depending if applicants live in the Calgary area. This process leads to
their names appearing on a list of final candidates. We are then ready
to put forward the application to the host organization. The host
organization then participates in the final selection of the
participant.
Please note that Ghost River Rediscovery negotiates your posting with
the overseas host organization, taking into consideration your
qualifications, experience and needs. Participants will sign a
placement contract, for which Ghost River Rediscovery will be your
employer.
Once the candidate has been selected, they receive a phone call from
the program staff confirming their acceptance for the position.
Duties and Responsibilities
Pre-departure Orientation: After selection, participants must complete
a medical examination, apply for visas, conduct extensive independent
research, complete pre-departure orientation sessions, and sign a
contractual agreement with Ghost River Rediscovery. The orientation
will include a 10 day
Outdoor Rediscovery Wilderness Skills Training and a 2 day office based
portion covering placement preparation topics such as cultural
training, financial management, administration, report preparation, and
program management.
Specific objectives of the orientation training are to:
• provide a basic understanding of the history, development and
organization of Ghost River Rediscovery and the different program
areas;
• give the opportunity to meet Ghost River Rediscovery staff;
• provide a more complete understanding of current issues surrounding Aboriginal issues;
• raise awareness and appreciation of the host country, including its geography, people, culture and living conditions;
• understand the adaptation process and gain knowledge on how to minimize culture stress and homesickness;
• improve effective communication skills, including conflict resolution;
• receive health and safety briefings; and
• understand the administrative procedures relating to their assignment.
• the wilderness portion of the training will provide participants with
the opportunity to explore the essence of what Rediscovery is as well
as to look inward and prepare themselves personally for the journeys
upon which they are about to embark. The culmination of this program
will be an optional solo vision quest.
Ghost River Rediscovery regards the training session as part of the
assessment process of its participants and therefore reserves the right
to withdraw the selection of a candidate at any stage of the
application process, including the pre-departure orientation, if he/she
proves to be unsuitable for personal or professional reasons.
Debriefing
Debriefing will be done as a group back in Calgary, Alberta in February
2009. Debriefing activities and workshops will be provided to the
participant which includes an extensive personal interview with each
participant. Then again after one month and a again after 6 months, a
one hour phone conversation will take place to review topics such as
cultural re-entry and reintegration, program feedback, review of skill
development and personal growth, employment objectives and status,
challenges they are facing, and ways we can be of assistance.
During Your Placement:
Participants will be required to submit monthly reports, an initial
work plan and revised work plans throughout detailed final report at
the end of their placement will also be required. These reports require
aspects of the program and must be submitted in a timely manner in
order to receive monthly wages. Periodically, they will also be asked
to submit other information to the Program Coordinator or other staff
at Ghost River Rediscovery. Participants will draft a job search
strategy for themselves during the final week. At the end of the
placement, he/she are expected to actively seek employment. Generally,
they are discouraged from immediately seeking Unemployment Insurance,
as the goal of the postings are to assist the youth in finding
permanent work.
Time Commitment: Participants will be expected to commit to the full
six months of their placement. A placement cannot be changed once the
participant has agreed to it, except under special circumstances.
Participants are expected to work the regular working hours of the host
organization. Holidays and vacation time is not included in the six
month placement. If a participant should choose to take vacation time
during their placement, this must first be approved by the host
organization and Ghost River Rediscovery, and any time off must be made
up during or after the official placement end date.
Logistics
Supervision: While at Ghost River Rediscovery, participants will report
to the Program Officer. During the international, portion participants
will report to a supervisor assigned by the host organization, but will
also maintain regular contact with the Program Officer via e-mail.
Health Insurance: International health insurance will be provided for the duration of the placement.
Immunizations: Some countries may require that you have immunizations.
If you are accepted into the program, you must obtain immunizations
immediately before commencing your posting.
Visas: Participants are responsible for researching and obtaining the
necessary visas to work in the country of their host organization.
Ghost River Rediscovery will assist by providing the necessary support
documents.
Passport: All participants are required to obtain a passport and submit
a copy of the information page upon acceptance of the placement.
Passport applications are available at post offices. It can take up to
two to three weeks to process a passport application. Please allow for
mailing time.
Living and Related Expenses:
Participants will be responsible for their own living expenses.
Change of Status:
Misinformation on your application or failure to notify Ghost River
Rediscovery of any change could result in withdrawal of your offer
before departure or being asked to return to Canada if you are already
in the field. Participants must also inform Ghost River Rediscovery and
their Host Organization of their whereabouts throughout the placement.
***More details will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
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