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 policy 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 participate actively in the meetings during their term.
KENKKU members for the period 2022–2023 can participate in the administration of the Ethiopia project, or contribute to the planning of possible new projects or the development of various activities, such as private sector cooperation. The term of office will begin in in August 2022 and end in July 2023. 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 held in Helsinki 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.
- Partnerships and fundraising team
Members of this team will participate in the search for new partnerships and the planning of fundraising. For example, team members will be able to plan how to carry out fundraising in practice and cooperation on sustainable development.
However, not all KENKKU work has to be done within the teams. Everyone can participate in social media communications, for example, and individual members can take responsibility for our stand at the World Village festival. Teams also need members who would be interested in coordinating the work of the team, that is, acting as team chairs.
In addition, we are looking for a chairman for KENKKU to lead the activities and meetings of the advisory board. The chairman also reports on the activities to SYL’s Board.
SYL asks the student unions to submit proposals of a maximum of three candidates for the Advisory Board for Development Cooperation. We do not require student unions to have local development cooperation activities and welcome applicants from various background. Applications should include a résumé 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 are invited to express their interest in teams and in acting as chairperson of the teams. Similarly, we ask applicants to mention plans that could prevent them from attending several meetings (e.g. studying abroad).
Student unions should nominate members and email their nominees’ applications by 9th of May 2022 to Board Member Suvituuli Lundmark (suvituuli.lundmark@syl,fi), who is in charge of SYL’s development cooperation.
In our operations, we emphasize diversity and equal opportunities. We hope to receive applications from persons from diverse backgrounds and genders. The selection takes into account the applicant’s motivation, experience and the fact that the advisory board has representatives from different student unions.
Contact details:
https://syl.fi/en/syl/kehitysyhteistyo/
SYL’s Board Member Suvituuli Lundmark
suvituuli.lundmark@syl.fi
+358 44 906 5003
