Tag: International volunteering

Cuso International Volunteer Placements

3-6 months (April Start)

See below for some new international postings from CUSO International and background on the organization itself.

I worked for CUSO years back as a teacher in Nigeria and some time later as a Field Officer in Ghana where we had about 70 volunteers in total. If interested, you can read about my experiences there in the first part of my memoir – Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points in-Between.

Logo of Cuso International featuring the word 'Cuso' in blue and 'International' in black, accompanied by a colorful design element.

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. 

Cuso International provides a comprehensive support package to ensure volunteers maintain a modest and healthy lifestyle aligned with local standards. This includes: 

  • Monthly living allowance 
  • Accommodation 
  • Health insurance (including required vaccinations and antimalarial medication) 
  • Round-trip airfare and visa/work permit costs 
  • Pre-placement, in-country and reintegration training (along with access to self-directed materials and online resources) 
  • Ongoing local support 
  • Access to the Employee Assistance Program during and after placement 

Current placements: 

English fluency required

Spanish fluency required

French fluency required

View all online and international placements

Sample CUSO International 2026 Volunteer Assignments in The Caribbean and Africa

I am sharing the email announcement from CUSO International about some upcoming 5-Month volunteer assignments (for both French and English language speakers). See the jobs listed below. Note that there are other jobs listed at the bottom link.

CUSO has a warm spot in my heart having been a CUSO teacher volunteer for two years in Nigeria, and two years later being a Field Staff Officer co-managing the 80 volunteers working in Ghana as well as small projects.

You can see Chapters 1 and 2 in my book “Overseas Adventures…” to learn more about my experiences there.

Cover of the book 'Overseas Adventures' by Arthur E. Shears, featuring a beach and ocean view with the title prominently displayed.
We’re excited to share our latest international volunteering opportunities for 2026!   Did you know that the United Nations has declared 2026 the Year of the Volunteer? There’s no better time to make a meaningful impact abroad and be part of a global movement celebrating service and solidarity.  These placements are designed for Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking to make a meaningful impact abroad for a duration of 5 months. Whether you’re interested in volunteering internationally or know someone who might be, we invite you to explore our placements and find a role that suits your skills and interests. Alternatively, you can share these opportunities with your network if you think someone would be a good fit. Your contribution can truly impact communities around the world.  As the holiday season approaches, we want to wish you and your loved ones joy, peace, and good health. Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting global change.
Volunteer Placements English fluency requiredCommunications/Advocacy Officer – Kingston, Jamaica Monitoring & Evaluation Officer – Kingston, Jamaica Research Officer – Kingston, Jamaica Gender Advisor – Roseau, Dominica Organizational Development Advisor – Georgetown, Guyana Marketing and Communication Advisor – Iringa, Tanzania Finance Advisor – Iringa, Tanzania Project Management Advisor – Mekele, Ethiopia Partnership and Collaboration Officer – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Labour Market Analyst – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Resource Mobilization Advisor – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Communications and Visibility Advisor (E-Volunteer) – Partner location: Ethiopia Graphics Designer and Content Developer (E-Volunteer) – Partner location: Ethiopia French fluency requiredConseiller(ère) en Marketing Digital – Yaoundé, Cameroun Conseiller(ère) en technologies de l’information – Yaoundé, Cameroun Conseiller(ère) en communication, marketing et media – Kinshasa, République démocratique du Congo Conseiller(ère) en Suivi et Évaluation de Projets – Porto-Novo, Bénin Conseiller(ère) en Plaidoyer – Yaoundé, Cameroun Conseiller(ère) en Mobilisation des Ressources– Yaoundé, Cameroun Conseiller(ère) en affaires – Yaoundé, Cameroun  Conseiller(ère) en égalité des genres et inclusion – Yaoundé, Cameroun Conseiller(ère) en Développement Organisationnel (Volontariat virtuel) – Lieu de partenariat : République démocratique du Congo Conseiller(ère) en Web Development (Volontariat virtuel)  – Lieu de partenariat : République démocratique du Congo 
View all current placements on our website 

CUSO and UN’s International Year of the Volunteer

2026 has been declared by the United Nations as International Year of the Volunteer for Sustainable Development. You might recall that I was a CUSO International volunteer in Nigeria in the early 70’s and a Field Staff Officer for them in Ghana in the mid-70s. Volunteering and volunteers are great!

In Bangladesh, our ILO project used Australian volunteers, while later in Malawi, our UNESCO project benefited from getting national (Malawian) UN Volunteers.

And just this summer, I did volunteer work with Catalyste+ in Dominica.

Today, I got information on the latest CUSO newsletter. It’s an interesting read.

A group of diverse volunteers posing together outdoors, surrounded by greenery, for the Cuso International Panorama newsletter. The header features 'Global Connections' and 'Local Impact' alongside the title '2026: International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development'.

To see the newsletter, try this link.

https://polo.feathr.co/view_email?cpn_id=68e7aa51d9d05e6b9201a23c&t_id=68e7aa51d9d05e6b9201a23d&per_id=6733b7a3eb1a480eb299ec8c

Pleasant reading.

Volunteer Opportunities Abroad

A diverse group of volunteers standing together outdoors, smiling and engaged, promoting a volunteer initiative with WUSC.

It’s been awhile since I wrote about WUSC on this BLOG but a reference in the latest newsletter from the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation (ACIC) announcing new vacancies had me visiting their site again. Here’s what the ACIC said in their newsletter:

Your expertise can make an impact. By volunteering internationally, you can help create a better world for all young people. WUSC has provided over 10,000 Canadians with high quality, rewarding, and safe international and e-volunteer opportunities. Whether you are an early-career, mid-career or a retired professional, you can give your time and share your skills and experience in support of development programs that improve education, economic, and empowerment opportunities for young people around the world.

WUSC, much like CUSO International which I worked for in my early career, still sends Canadians abroad for development work (and to learn a lot in the process). WUSC also offers e-learning volunteer opportunities, a good option for those with families or other commitments who need to stay close to home. What is new and very encouraging for interested persons in low to middle-income countries is the opportunity to apply for a South-South volunteer assignment. There is also the chance to apply as a WUSC national volunteer in your own country. For example, I see on the current list of openings a position available in Iraq.

SOUTH-SOUTH Volunteer

The image below shows an example of an assignment description, this one for a job in Ghana lasting seven months. Check out the eligibility requirements shown. The full job description has many more details .

Screenshot of the WUSC volunteer opportunity page for a Business Development Advisor position in Ghana. Includes assignment details, eligibility requirements, and application buttons in English and French.

Conditions of Service for Canadian International Volunteers

The snapshot below lists the conditions of service for a Canadian WUSC International Volunteer. For those who might want to check out conditions for South-South or National volunteers, you can visit WUSC and explore further.

A list outlining the support package for Canadian International Volunteers with WUSC, detailing various benefits and conditions included in the program.

WUSC website

You can learn about WUSC and its volunteer opportunities here.

WUSC (World University Service of Canada) – Education Changes the World

Recommended Reading

Also, you might find my book to be of interest. It is a memoir about my international work as a volunteer, advisor or consultant in sixteen different countries. Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points In-Between is available from AMAZON or … preferably from me at….

Overseas Adventures – North Star Skills for Development

Good luck in your volunteer assignment search.

Upcoming Assignment in Dominica with Catalyste+

The Dominica Technical Vocational Education and Training Council (DTVETC)
seeks comprehensive support to develop a 5-year strategic plan to support
TVET in the country, including institutional strengthening for the New
Goodwill Secondary School (GSS) TVET Center of Excellence. Catalyste+ contacted me for the short assignment as Strategic Planning Advisor.

The TVET Council belongs to an organization named CANTA – Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies. See their member countries below. The map also serves the purpose of showing where Dominica is located. (And no, Dominica is not the Dominican Republic.)

Map showing the member countries of CANTA (Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies), including Dominica, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The in-county assignment will be about 2 weeks with a possible follow-up visit some time later. The parallel virtual assignment has already started with a kick-off meeting via ZOOM last week, and the first technical working group meeting coming up this Thursday.

I look forward to sharing my international expertise with the wonderful people of Dominica and advising officials as they develop the strategy.

UN Volunteers

This morning I received the below message from UNV Malawi about the value of UN Volunteering and how to apply.

I need no convincing since as Team Leader on the STEP Malawi program, we hired two excellent communications volunteers. There are different categories of volunteers, and in particular, national versus international volunteers. Some assignments are in country, others are online/remote.

If interested, you can create a profile at https://app.unv.org as indicated in the image below. And also check there, the type of assignments available and where.

GOOD LUCK.

A MUST READ – US AID Funding Freeze

One of my recent posts referenced an excellent online publication, ICTWorks. As the name implies it mostly focuses on the why and how of using ICT for development. But after the shocking news of President Trump freezing all US AID funding it has a well written, informative (and worryingly accurate) report on the potential effects this freeze will have on international development activity. As a former consultant with several UN agencies, I am dismayed at the potential revenue loss various UN agencies will face, not to mention the massive effect on numerous non-governmental organizations.

I am also disappointed at my lack of previous knowledge on the details of aid from the USA. The US has been a fantastic partner for international development in the past. We can only hope this freeze will be temporary and other countries will be able to take up the slack in the meantime. You can find the article at the website below.

US Aid Frozen: A Real Humanitarian Crisis and Lives will be Lost

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fictworks.us4.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D84e9f392a668e74df589375c7%26id%3D770c3c3e9e%26e%3D451c5d65b4&data=05%7C02%7C%7Cc876b9ae6b2b4935011008dd3eb14b4b%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638735653364448738%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=NLTzDwye5uK4NqxfNRM7cojyBmmn3xJQdHbWBvQ8RdU%3D&reserved=0

Other News – Catalyste+

I have submitted an application to become a volunteer with Catalyste+. So far, I have had my resume reviewed, participated in an interview and sent a request to two former colleagues for references. My next post will provide a further update on the process for those who might be interested.

Keep well and doing good.

Taking a Critical Look at USAID Approach to Development Funding

PBS News Hour : January 7, 2025 – PBS News Hour full episode | Cascade PBS

For those interested in how the USAID funds international development, a current segment in PBS News Hour will be of interest. I rarely watch PBS Newshour but last evening I did have time and found this informative story about USAID. Apparently, the agency does most of its work through big US companies that seem to focus more on inputs and activities rather than results. One section of the story gave examples of an alternative approach where funds were provided directly to local partners who provided much better results.

Sidebar: The assignment I had some years ago with one of these big US firms did indeed engage with local entities including a local training center, private sector entities, and schools. There were positive results. So not all USAID projects are alike.

In Canada, I think we do better with implementing agencies like CUSO providing volunteers to strengthen local NGOs, many of which are supporting projects on gender equality and improved livelihoods for women. (Don’t forget to keep monitoring CUSO International’s website for current employment opportunities)

Similarly, CATALYSTE+ (formerly CESO), is providing senior professionals the opportunity to give back by offering their advice on short missions to host organizations that actually help develop the assignment’s terms of reference. I just submitted an application to CATALYSTE+ and will describe that process and its result in an upcoming post.

Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing the next two episodes of the 3 part USAID story on the PBS Newshour…

UPDATE on TIMOR-LESTE

Why Timor-Leste?

Recently, I was reading and seeing information about the oil bonanza currently happening in Guyana and the challenges the country faces with using that oil money to good effect. Guyana also has to worry about highly disputed claims on its territory by neighboring Venezuela. In reading about oil and Guyana I recall two other countries where I worked that did not have oil and gas revenues until recently, these countries are Timor-Leste and Ghana. You might recall that I wrote about my work in Timor-Leste in Chapter 13 of my book – Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan tom Zambia and Points In-Between. To update my information about these three countries I decided to do some research with a focus on oil and its impact on each state. Today’s post is about Timor-Leste.

An excellent source of information I found is a 2021 article by Charles Sheiner published in the Wiley Online Library.

Timor‐Leste economic survey: The end of petroleum income – Scheiner – 2021 – Asia & the Pacific Policy Studies – Wiley Online Library

In the article, Sheiner observes:

“Petroleum revenues have drastically declined, and other reserves will probably not produce revenues comparable to the US$20 billion already received. This heightens Timor-Leste’s major challenges: import dependency, unemployment, lack of economic diversification, poverty, inequality, inadequate public services and COVID-19.“

“Thousands of young Timorese go overseas to work, mostly in the United Kingdom but also in government-organized programs in Australia and South Korea. They send home about $100 million per year in remittances, a significant amount though a smaller fraction of GDP than in 57 other countries. Overseas workers acquire knowledge and work habits from their exposure to the larger world, while improving the living standards of their families. However, some people (including this author) believe that Timor-Leste would be better served if these workers came home after a few years and used their skills to develop Timor-Leste’s own society and economy, rather than just sending part of the wages they get for supporting overseas businesses. This would require them to create or find jobs… employment opportunities with private companies have been falling in recent years.”

One way the Government of Timor-Leste can support this initiative is to arrange for mutual recognition agreements for qualifications between the sending and recipient countries. Bangladesh and the European Union recently launched an initiative assisted by the International Labour Organization to facilitate legal migration of skilled workers to European countries with an assurance that workers have the skills in demand. Ensuring that new skills learned during work in destination countries are duly assessed and recognized through certification processes would be one way to help re-integrate workers back into their home country.

In a 2021 post-COVID economic development strategy, the T-L Government stated:

“For Timor-Leste to grow continuously in an inclusive and sustainable way, more and better ways must be found to strengthen its production capacity and diversify its economy outside the oil sector … [T]he message is simple: we must rely less on our natural resources and rely more on what we can produce with our own sweat, creativity and imagination, which would imply more resources devoted to tourism, agriculture and manufacturing.”

Sheiner fully agrees with this initiative and goes further to say:

“An essential first step is strengthening the country’s most precious resource—its people. Investing in nutrition, education and health care will lay the foundation for whatever paths are followed in the future. Although more than half of Timor-Leste’s petroleum-fuelled period has passed, a few years remain to prepare for the next phase of the country’s history.”

As described in my book chapter on Timor-Leste, I hope the apprenticeship system I piloted there in 2007 contributed in some way to strengthening the country’s people and their skill base.

Development Partners

There continues to be a United Nations presence in the country, one of the most important being the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). For details on its activities, see this website:

Timor Leste | United Nations Development Programme (undp.org)

For vacancies available on various projects, see here:

https://unjobs.org/duty_stations/timor-leste

Australian Volunteers has a useful website that describes volunteering there.

Volunteer in Timor-Leste | The Australian Volunteers Program

The next post on my blog will look at Guyana.

Want to learn about volunteering abroad? Here’s your chance!

As those who read my BLOG will know, I was a CUSO volunteer teacher in Nigeria in the early 1970s and a CUSO Field Staff Officer in Ghana in the mid-70s. Those were exciting days and life-changing experiences. I am pleased to share with you news from CUSO International about an upcoming VIRTUAL Town Hall where you can learn about volunteering with CUSO.

See the rest of the announcement from CUSO International below, especially the date, time and link to join the conversation and ask questions. I highly recommend the virtual town hall to you.

Imagine yourself immersed in vibrant cultures, working side-by-side with local communities to create lasting change. Picture the friendships you’ll forge, the skills you’ll develop, and the unforgettable memories you’ll create. This is your chance to turn that dream into a reality! 

At our upcoming event, you’ll: 

  • Discover how your unique skills can transform lives across the globe 
  • Hear inspiring stories from a past volunteer who’s returned with a renewed sense of purpose 
  • Learn about the incredible support Cuso International provides, ensuring your journey is safe, rewarding, and impactful 
  • Get insider tips on how to make the most of your volunteer experience 

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by! Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking for a new challenge or a recent graduate eager to make your mark, Cuso International has a place for you.

Our expert panel will guide you through every step of the volunteer journey, from application to return. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and discover how you can be part of a global movement for positive change.

Ready to take the leap? Join us and unlock a world of possibilities. Your adventure awaits – and the impact you’ll make will last a lifetime! 

Register now and take the first step towards an extraordinary experience that will not only change the lives of others but transform your own in ways you never imagined.

Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_4Hs0I8oxSKybYZ5mVW9igg 

Date: Wednesday July 31, 2024  

Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST