Tag: working abroad

WUSC is looking for consultants

Logo of WUSC EUMC featuring a circular design with human figures and a maple leaf.

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.

Logo of Cuso International featuring the text 'Cuso' in blue and 'International' in gray, accompanied by a colorful circular design.

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.

Logo of Catalyste+ featuring the word 'catalyste' in bold with a red maple leaf and a circular design behind it.

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.

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

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

UNHCR Careers logo, featuring the text 'UNHCR The UN Refugee Agency' on a blue background.

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.

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.

Executive and Junior Level International Development Positions

A friend at the Canadian Association of Independent Development Professionals (CAIDC) shared the following. Have a look and kindly share.

Director (Chief Financial Officer)(D1) IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency ∙ Vienna ∙ Senior Executive level ∙ Closing September 22
Assistant Analyst, Portfolio EBRD – European Bank for Reconstruction and Development∙ London ∙ Junior level ∙ Closing September 23
Advisor, Strategic Planning GICHD – Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining ∙ Geneva ∙ Senior level ∙ Closing September 26
Chief Strategy Officer IRRI – International Rice Research Institute ∙ Los Baños ∙ Senior Executive level ∙ Open until filled
[FO] (Senior) Environmental/ Social Development Specialist – Occupational Health and Safety AIIB – Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank ∙ Beijing ∙ Mid level ∙ Open until filled

Good luck if you do apply.

Looking for International Development Jobs?

I share information about working abroad in this BLOG, and have in past posts mentioned a variety of agencies that look for consultants or volunteers ranging from Peace Corps, and British Council to CUSO International and Catalyste+. In scrolling through LinkedIn this morning, I came across the following story by Anthony Stokes who invited readers to repost. That is what I am doing.

Hard to find a job in development?

One of these 9 links could change your life:

Social media is not a bad starting point for international development job opportunities at a difficult time. There are also many websites with job boards, communities and advice.

1️⃣ https://www.impactpool.org

“We gather top talent to solve global challenges”

Global development, humanitarian aid, peace and security

2️⃣ devex.com/jobs/search

Online community of global development professionals
6,000+ jobs on “the world’s largest development job board”

3️⃣ https://reliefweb.int/jobs

“Humanitarian information on global crises & disasters”

With over 2,000 humanitarian jobs

4️⃣ https://lnkd.in/eXeuFXHV

Jobs, scholarships and grants “to empower often marginalised communities, particularly in the Global South”

Plus opinion, articles, videos

5️⃣ Opportunitiesforyouth.org

“Informational online portal created for ambitious young adults across the world”

Jobs, conferences, scholarships, grants

6️⃣ Devnetjobs.org

International development jobs and consulting opportunities

Plus paid membership access to “member-only jobs”

7️⃣ wianetwork.com/jobs

“The global headquarters for ambitious women in international affairs”

Membership platform, community, job listings

8️⃣ idealist.org

Opportunities spanning nonprofits, social-impact businesses, corporate social responsibility initiatives

9️⃣ https://bit.ly/4jVi9eD

A “crowd-sourced” list of websites, consulting firms and coaches

And, now let me share a reminder about my book “Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points In-Between”.

Overseas Adventures – North Star Skills for Development

The link above to take you to the page to order my book from me directly.

Or you can order it from Amazon by using this link.

Amazon.com : Overseas Adventures – From Afghanistan to Zambia and Points In-Between

GOOD LUCK in YOUR JOB SEARCH and GOOD READING.