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PROGRAM
OVERVIEW
Program Overview
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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