The National Union of University Students in Finland (SYL) is looking for creative and motivated people to join its Development Cooperation Advisory Board (KENKKU). SYL represents 14 member organisations and over 140,000 higher education students. KENKKU manages development projects with a development cooperation policy expert and a member of the SYL board. The term begins in August 2024 and ends in July 2025.
We don’t expect you to be a professional – you just need to be motivated and eager to learn about sustainable development, development cooperation and human rights. Members are expected to participate in meetings during their term. Meetings are held once a month and can also be attended remotely. Lunch is provided at the meetings in Helsinki, and travel expenses for representatives to the meetings are reimbursed in accordance with SYL’s travel rules.
A maximum of 15 members will be selected for the Advisory Board, some of whom will continue from the previous term.
KENKKU members are divided into small groups. To ensure that teamwork runs smoothly, a chair is elected for each team.
1. Communications and fundraising team
The communication and fundraising team ensures the visibility of development cooperation activities on social media, creates communication content, and brainstorms ideas for communication development. The team also coordinates student union visits and fundraising activities. (The team can also assist with development policy advocacy, for instance by participating in public debates on topical issues.)
2. Ethiopian project administration team
The team will manage a development cooperation project in Ethiopia that supports higher education students with disabilities. Amongst other activities, this involves familiarising themselves with annual reports and plans, and liaising with local partners. The role requires an interest in project management, the ability to work independently, project management skills, and the ability to work in English.
3. Zambia project management team
The team will manage a development cooperation project in Zambia that supports higher education students with disabilities. Amongst other activities, this involves familiarising themselves with annual reports and plans, and liaising with local partners. The role requires an interest in project management, the ability to work independently, project management skills, and the ability to work in English.
4. President of the board
We are also looking for a person to chair KENKKU’s meetings and other activities. The chair also reports to the SYL board.
How to apply
The application takes the form of a short motivation letter, indicating:
1. the applicant’s motivation and experience
2. what the applicant hopes to learn during their term on KENKKU
3. how the applicant would work with potential development cooperation partners in their student union
4. Applicants are also invited to express their interest in teams, and in leading teams or in chairing KENKKU as a whole. Any longer-term obstacles to attending meetings (e.g. planned studies abroad) should also be mentioned.
Applications should be sent through the applicant’s own student union. You can find your student union’s contact details on the student union website. The student unions are listed on this page.
SYL places a high priority on pluralism and equal opportunities in all its activities. We welcome applicants from different backgrounds and of different genders. The selection process takes account of the applicant’s motivation, experience, and the fact that the board must include representatives from all the different student unions.
Further information:
Aino Halinen
+358 44 906 5004
aino.halinen@syl.fi
