Brief Description:

Start Date: As soon as possible

Placement Length: 7-9 months

Language Requirements: English

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada Only

The Volunteer’s Role
The overall purpose of the placement is to strengthen the capacity of the Gender Division to implement gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into its policies, programs and services that meet the needs and rights of women and vulnerable groups, including the prevention of Gender-Based Violence.

As a volunteer, you will support the capacity strengthening of staff through training on gender equality mainstreaming including the development of monitoring and evaluation tools for GESI integration into programming. You will serve as the gender expert to mainstream gender equality across the broader ministry and other ministries.

BLUEPRINTS is being implemented in four countries: Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. You will work in close collaboration with 3 other Gender Experts in Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. You will also work with a local In Country Program Support Officer to coordinate support to the Gender Divisions and ministries.

As a volunteer, you will:

Conduct an assessment of staff capacity to implement gendered policies, programs and services
Support the development and training resources and conduct training sessions with staff from various ministries, departments & agencies (MDAs) on gender equality mainstreaming into their programs using a human-rights-based approach.
Support the development and implementation of gender policies and GBV-related policies.
Support the development of GESI/RBA indicators to monitor and report on the effectiveness of program implementation (beyond sex-disaggregated data).
Support the updating of the centre's monitoring and evaluation system to measure the program’s impact, progress and tracking of participant development.
Essential Requirements:

University degree in social/political sciences, international development, human rights, gender studies, social work, law, public policy, or related fields

Essential Background:

Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience in a position related to the promotion of gender equality, diversity and/or women’s development issues
Experience working with government agencies and senior management
Experience in training and facilitation

What’s in it for YOU? A life-changing experience!

About Us, the Project and the Partner
Cuso International

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Founded in 1961, Cuso International works in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Canada.

Project - BluePrints for Gender Equality

Cuso will be implementing the four-year BLUEPRINTS project funded by the Government of Canada Global Affairs Canada (GAC); the main focus of the project is to strengthen the capacity of local governments in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines to integrate gender into policies, programs, and services to better reflect the needs, perspectives and interests of the Caribbean’s most vulnerable women and girls.

Partner - Gender Affairs Division, Ministry of Social Development, Housing and Community Empowerment

The Gender Relations Division’s mission is to create an environment to redress gender imbalances through policies and programmes geared towards maximizing women participation in, and benefits from national socio-economic development initiatives and improve the relationship between women and men: the goal of which is to enhance the quality of women 's lives and to allow both women and men to achieve their full potential.

Requirements

Benefits
Terms and Conditions
Cuso International terms and conditions allow you to lead a modest and healthy lifestyle while being effective in your placement. This support package will cover basic living expenses for one volunteer and is not intended to cover home-based expenses (ex. loans, support payments, etc.) or luxury items such as imported items in placement or international personal travel.

Support Package

Modest monthly living allowance (varies depending on country)
Accommodation while in placement
Return airfare and visa/work permit costs
Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication, and health insurance
Pre-departure training, in-country orientation, and reintegration debriefing, including travel and accommodation (more details below)
On the ground support through our Cuso International country program office
Access to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon return
Bonus: Additional return flight home or cash in lieu after 12 months of service for volunteers who extend for another 6 months

Accommodations

You will be provided with adequate housing which will be coordinated by the Cuso International local programme office for the duration of your placement. The accommodation will be fully furnished with items such as a stove, refrigerator, bedroom furniture, table, chairs, cutlery, upholstery, sheets and will include necessary conveniences such as running water, electricity etc. It will be similar to an Airbnb. You will be responsible for the payment of the security deposit which is usually equivalent to one month’s rent, the program office offers optional support of an advance which would be deducted from your stipend over three-four months.

Cuso International will cover the monthly rental cost of your accommodation. Utilities - Internet access, water, electricity, etc., will be covered by you, using your monthly allowance.

Other Requirements:

Please note that if you are shortlisted for the placement, you will be required to:
Provide two Professional References and one Personal Reference
Complete an oral assessment during your preliminary telephone interview in the language required for your placement
Obtain a Police Check at our request
Complete a full medical exam and be medically cleared by the Cuso International Medical Advisor prior to your departure
Due to the COVID-19 situation, be double vaccinated in accordance with the

Fundraising

We ask each volunteer, regardless of placement length, to raise $2,000. All volunteers receive support from Cuso International to help achieve the goal through fundraising. If the volunteer chooses not to fundraise or is unable to achieve the fundraising goal, he/she can make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor to support our work.

Read More