Are you inspired by global development and promoting education internationally? Are you concerned about climate change? Are you a persistent communicator, good at forming networks, or know a lot about funding? Do you want to put some of your knowledge to the use of the rest of the world?
We are looking for people with lots of ideas who are committed and motivated to join the Advisory Board for Development Cooperation (KENKKU) of SYL. The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) represents 15 member organisations and 135,000 university students. The development cooperation advisory board advises SYL’s executive board on development cooperation, and administers SYL’s development cooperation projects together with the Development Policy Adviser.
However, we don’t expect you to be a development cooperation professional – it’s enough if you have motivation and the desire to learn about development cooperation and global education. We expect KENKKU members to commit to their tasks and be motivated but KENKKU is also meant for developing your personal expertise. KENKKU members are expected to attend most meetings during their term.
By participating in the administration of the Ethiopia project, KENKKU members for the period 2019–2020 will contribute to the planning of possible new projects and the development of various activities, such as private sector cooperation. The term of office will begin in August 2019 and end in August 2020. A maximum of 15 members will be selected for the Advisory Board, some of whom will continue from the previous term. The Advisory Board meets around about once a month in Helsinki, aside from in the summer months, and engages in remote work as required. Lunch is provided as part of meetings and the travel expenses of attendees are reimbursed in accordance with SYL’s travel rules.
KENKKU members are divided into small teams. A person in charge is chosen from each team to ensure that teamwork goes smoothly. We are looking for people with different skills for the advisory board:
- Communications and advocacy team The communications team will ensure that our development cooperation work is visible on social media, create content and come up with ideas for developing our communication. The team will assist with development policy advocacy, for example by participating in public discussions of topical issues.
- Ethiopian project administration team Team members will manage the Ethiopian development cooperation project, familiarising themselves with material such as annual reports and plans, and contacting local partners. This task requires an interest in project administration, the ability to work independently, project management skills and the ability to work in English. The four-year Ethiopia project began this year.
- Members of team(s) planning new projects Members of this team participate in the planning of new projects and the search for new partnerships. This means that team members get to work on project plans, with most such work scheduled for the spring of 2020.
However, not all KENKKU work has to be done within the teams. Everyone can participate in social media communications, for example. In addition to teamwork, individual members can take responsibility for our stand at Global Village festivals, or fundraising.
If you are interested, send your application to kv-asiantuntija@jyy.fi by 28 May (extended deadline). The application should include your CV and a cover letter. Applicants are also requested to state what they would like to learn during their term on KENKKU and how they would contact development cooperation actors within their student union. Applicants should express their interest in positions based on the position profiles outlined above and to describe their language skills. Similarly, we ask applicants to mention plans that could prevent them from attending several meetings (e.g. studying abroad).
The student union JYY will nominate 2-3 persons to SYL. JYY will make the decisions on who are nominated on 29 May. The final selection will be done by SYL.
In its operations, SYL emphasizes diversity and equal opportunities. SYL hopes to receive applications from persons from diverse backgrounds and genders.
Contact details
JYY’s Specialist in International Affairs Agnes Stojcsics
kv-asiantuntija@jyy.fi
https://syl.fi/en/syl/kehitysyhteistyo/
SYL’s Board Member Titta Hiltunen
titta.hiltunen@syl.fi
+358 44 906 5006
SYL’s Development Policy Advisor Salla Mäkelä
salla.makela@syl.fi
+358 44 780 0220