This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Start Date: November 2026
Placement Length: 5 months
Language Requirements: English Level 5-Fluent
Eligibility: Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only
The Volunteer’s Role
The Partnership and Collaboration Officer will engage closely with the Agency for Civil Society Organization (ACSO) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This volunteer role is designed to enhance organizational capacities while being instrumental in the organization's strategic interactions with key stakeholders. In this position, the volunteer will cultivate valuable relationships, pinpoint collaboration opportunities, and enhance the operational effectiveness of civil society organizations (CSOs). Key responsibilities will include performing policy analysis, mapping stakeholders, and creating frameworks that foster sustainable partnerships.
As a volunteer, you will:
• Identify potential stakeholders for strategic alliances and foster robust working relationships with both international and local organizations.
• Establish and maintain a stakeholder database while reviewing current partnership agreements.
• Carry out assessments to detect common challenges encountered by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and offer recommendations.
• Create a stakeholder engagement strategy that highlights best practices and identifies opportunities for collaboration.
• Recognize performance deficiencies within CSOs and suggest initiatives for capacity building, technical assistance, or policy interventions to address these issues.
Essential Requirements:
• A degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related discipline
Essential Background:
• A minimum of 3 years of increasing responsibility in volunteer management, program development, or community engagement.
• Proven experience in designing and executing national or large-scale volunteer programs.
• Experience in training, capacity building, and collaboration with a variety of stakeholders.
• Familiarity with national policies on volunteering and international volunteerism standards, such as those set by UNV and IAVE.
What’s in it for YOU? A life-changing experience!
About Us
Cuso International (Cuso) is an international cooperation and development organization based in Canada that works to create social and economic opportunities for equity-deserving groups. Building on over sixty years of impactful work, we address global challenges by tackling the root causes of inequality. Working alongside our partners, we are focused on efforts to improve economic resilience, advance equity and inclusion for all, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Guided by our values of courage, inclusion, sustainability and accountability, Cuso combines innovative strategies and enduring partnerships to create lasting, meaningful change in communities across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada.
Project: Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE)
Partner: Agency for Civil Society Organization