working abroad – Page 2 – North Star Skills for Development

Senior Management Opportunity to Work with UNOPS

Katie Wedley, Country Director and Representative, UNOPS, Afghanistan posted this opportunity on LinkedIn recently.

We are looking for a senior manager for an impressive, complex project working at scale across the whole of Afghanistan. This is a new position as Deputy Director (IICA4). The Responsibilities, Education and Experience required are outlined in the link. Important also: commitment to communities, palpable energy and proven work ethic, articulation of strategic thinking and demonstrable maturity in stakeholder management – all of which is constantly required in this one-of-a-kind project for Community Resilience and Livelihoods for Afghans. https://www.acrlp.org/

Deadline of 8 June https://lnkd.in/ez4cqwtZ

I worked in Afghanistan more than a decade ago and found it challenging but rewarding.

Afghan worker on construction site

You can read about my assignment with the ILO in Afghanistan in my A to Z memoir: Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points In-Between. It is available from this website or from AMAZON Canada.

Good luck if you apply for this UNOPS post, and happy reading if you buy my memoir.

KEEP WELL AND DOING GOOD.

Interested in International Development – Short Assignments (3 – 5 Months) Available with CUSO

Being an ex-CUSO volunteer in Nigeria and later a CUSO Field Staff Officer in Ghana, I encourage individuals to have a look at what CUSO International has to offer by way of assignments. These days both e-volunteering and international placement are available, so too are placements in the North of Canada. See the information below that I pulled from an email received today.

The links in the BLOCKS below do not work but you can see what openings are currently available and where. To see all available openings scroll down to the bottom of this post.

This April, discover flexible volunteer placements designed to create meaningful impact through shorter 3-5 month opportunities combined with e-volunteering options. Our latest placements focus on economic resilience, inclusive growth, and private-sector engagement, supporting partners to strengthen inclusive policies, advance gender equality, and support entrepreneurship and workforce development.
We’re seeking Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and skills-based professionals, including Curriculum Advisors for the mining sector, to help reskill and upskill individuals and support youth employment.
Indigenous individuals are especially encouraged to apply for our Youth Sports & Recreation Coordinator placement in Northern Canada, supporting youth wellbeing and community development.
If you’ve never volunteered with Cuso International before, this is a great time to start. There’s a placement ready to take you somewhere new, professionally and personally!

View all current placements on our website

https://apply.workable.com/cuso-international/?utm_source=Placement+Alert&utm_medium=Email

To read about my experiences with CUSO in Nigeria and Ghana (and later with different organizations in other countries), check out my book Overseas Adventures available on this website, or from AMAZON.

GOOD LUCK!

IOM Currently Has 184 Openings

I liaised with IOM officials in Bangladesh some years ago but they work in many countries. Indeed, they have operations in 171 countries through more than 550 field offices across six regions.

Have a look at their website to find out about who they are, what they do, their partners and other information.

International Organization for Migration | IOM, UN Migration

Many UN agencies have recently modified their e-recruitment systems and the IOM is one of these agencies. You can find out what vacancies are currently available at the link below. Before applying, you have to register in their system. Instructions on how to do so are provided.

https://www.iom.int/iom-career-gateways

A variety of vacancies are available including full-time staff as well consultants in everything from health to construction.

Think YOU can make a DIFFERENCE. Then check out the IOM.

Good luck.

WUSC is looking for consultants

https://wusc.bamboohr.com/careers/263

Establishment of a Pre-Qualified List (Roster) of International Consultants

Application Deadline: March 9th, 2026

Introduction and Background

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion for youth around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 350 staff, implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors, and philanthropic foundations.

To efficiently deliver on its growing project portfolio, organizational strategy, and business development initiatives, WUSC seeks to establish a Pre-Qualified List (Roster) of experienced consultants. This roster will serve as a readily available pool of technical specialists who can be rapidly mobilized to support WUSC’s operations globally on an as-needed basis.

Objective

The primary objective of this ToR is to solicit applications from highly qualified consultants to be included in WUSC’s Pre-Qualified Roster. Consultants selected for the Roster will enter into a framework agreement for the provision of specialized technical expertise and short-term support services across various thematic and operational areas.

If interested, check the details on type of consultants needed and the experience requirements on the webpage noted at the top of this post.

As a side note following my recent post about ‘volunteering’, WUSC is a well established Canadian volunteer recruiting and placement agency. They are clearly now adding another channel to their work – recruiting and placing both volunteers and consultants.

I wonder if other similar agencies will also look in this direction?

To Volunteer Internationally or Not?

In my experience, people will often volunteer at the beginning of their career before they have a family, or towards the end when their kids have left the nest. There is also a middle period when for enrichment or to take a break from regular routine, a professional including trades and technology folks take on something that is likely short and focused and aligned with their skill set.

Decades ago, I joined CUSO International as a young man for a two-year teaching stint in Nigeria, and just last year I volunteered as a semi-retiree for a short assignment in the Caribbean as a Catalyste+ Advisor. So I have seen both ends of the volunteer spectrum.

These days CUSO International offers a variety of short and longer term assignments. I posted about this organization before. They regularly announce up-coming volunteer positions in the Caribbean, South America and Africa.

Cuso International | Skills to share. Futures to build.

Catalyste+ generally provides more specialized services. Specialists are called neither volunteers nor consultants but rather Catalyste+ Advisors.

Global Hub for Economic Development | Catalyste+

One program they had in the Caribbean is winding down just as new programs are opening in the Philippines, Mongolia, and Viet Nam.

South of the border where thousands of development workers were laid off after cuts to USAID , there is current information on the DEVEX Career Hub website about the value of volunteering while waiting for a full-time development job.

https://pages.devex.com/index.php/email/emailWebview?email=Njg1LUtCTC03NjUAAAGgY8ogXrv6mg2Eu4bewS2GmZyELvOX6KX5CNCfpCpKN4P9DYxjzEoVkmT5VSj_JHv7wEJPR6b50hOTkhw5JY00tz6iexYVXAZUWSY

As a closing note, let me say one can combine volunteering with other work. I still do some consulting.

GOOD LUCK, whatever you decide.

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.

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

Youth Sports & Recreation Coordinator (Summer Placement) -Yukon and Northwest Territories, Canada
Organizational Development Advisor – Georgetown, Guyana
Partnership and Collaboration Officer – Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Project Management Advisor – Mekele, Ethiopia
Gender Equality Advisor – Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Communications Officer – St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica
Social Media Advisor – St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica
Digital Media Volunteer – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Resource Mobilization and Fundraising Advisor – Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Spanish fluency required

Partnership Development Advisor – Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Strategic Partnership Advisor – Medellín, Colombia

French fluency required

Conseiller(ère) en communication – Yaoundé, Cameroun
Conseiller(ère) en entrepreneuriat / insertion économique – Yaoundé, Cameroun
Conseiller(ère) en formation et développement des programmes – Yaoundé, Cameroun
Conseiller(ère) en Mobilisation Communautaire et Engagement – Yaoundé, Cameroun
Conseiller(ère) en suivi-évaluation – Yaoundé, Cameroun
Conseiller(ère) en Technologies de l’Information – Yaoundé, Cameroun
Conseiller(ère) psychosocial – Yaoundé, Cameroun
Conseiller(ère) en Entreprenariat féminin et innovation – Abomey-Calavi, Bénin
Conseiller(ère) en Environnement et Changement Climatique – Dangbo, Bénin
Conseiller(ère) en Mobilisation de Ressources – Porto-Novo, Bénin
Conseiller(ère) en Plaidoyer et Égalité du Genre – Cotonou, Bénin
Conseiller(ère) en Suivi et Évaluation de Projets – Porto-Novo, Bénin
Conseiller(ère) en Suivi évaluation Redevabilité et Apprentissage – Lalo, Bénin
Conseiller(ère) en Suivi-Évaluation et Apprentissage – Cotonou, Bénin

View all online and international placements

R U Canadian and Looking for International Work Experience?

Promotional image for the International Youth Internship Program, highlighting application dates and offering opportunities for international internships for youth ages 18-30.

To learn more check here:

https://www.acic-caci.org/internships?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2026-02-06&utm_campaign=ACIC+Connect+-+January+26

ACIC, of course, stands for Atlantic Council for International Cooperation. You can read about some of the cool work they do by visiting their website.

Atlantic Council for International Cooperation | ACIC-CACI | Leaders of tomorrow partner with leaders of today for more just, equitable and sustainable communities.

Kindly share above information with your network.

Good luck if you do apply.

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

Proud to See My Work Supporting TVET Strategy Development in Dominica Recognized

Group of five individuals in safety vests and hard hats standing at an industrial site in Dominica, featuring large piping in the background. The image highlights a focus on vocational education and training.

Catalyste+ Advisor Arthur Shears recently completed a pivotal assignment supporting the Dominica Technical Vocational Education and Training Council (DTVETC) in crafting a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan (2025/26–2030/31), as part of our CCEDM program. The plan outlines a transformative vision for inclusive, competency-based training, institutional strengthening—particularly at the Goodwill Secondary School TVET Centre of Excellence—and enhanced access to funding. Through strategic pillars focused on access, quality, governance, and labor market alignment, the plan sets the foundation for a resilient, future-ready workforce and positions Dominica to leverage regional opportunities like the Caribbean Future Skills Fund.

The above story was recently carried in the Catalyste+ Connects newsletter. My support was provided in-person to the DTVETC on the island for two weeks this past summer, with additional support provided virtually via Zoom before and afterwards. I had the privilege of working closely with a fantastic technical working group of national experts.

For Canadians, especially older professionals like me, Catalyste+ may be an opportunity to share our skills in Northern Canada and/or in developing countries.

Check their website for further information. You can also explore my BLOG posts for opportunities at Catalyste+ and elsewhere.

BLOG – North Star Skills for Development

And don’t forget my memoir – Overseas Adventures… – is available from my website as well. Dominica doesn’t feature in it, but it will if I eventually write a Further Adventures.

Positions Available at UNHCR

I was exploring a position with the UNHCR, and the attached link popped up with more than 20 jobs… Check it out. But first some information about UNHCR from their website. (I haven’t worked for UNHCR but did for ILO, FAO, UNESCO, ITU, UNRWA)

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, takes the lead in protecting people forced to flee wars and persecution around the world, providing life-saving aid including shelter, food and water to ensure their basic safety, rights and dignity. With 18,879 women and men working in 137 countries, we work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of 89.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide.
Our dedicated and professional staff work around the clock in roles including legal protection, community services, public affairs, health and more. Despite the challenges they can face, our staff are proud to work for UNHCR and determined to make a positive impact.

Why a career with UNHCR?

Our dedicated staff work to protect and assist people fleeing conflict and persecution at a time when global forced displacement is at a record high. Our colleagues bring a wide range of specialized skills, including expertise in legal protection, administration, community services, public affairs, health and other disciplines.

Here’s the link. Careers

Good luck.