Brief Description:

This assignment is located in : Porto Novo, Cameroon

Start date: September 2026

Assignment duration: 5 months

Language requirements: French, English,

Eligibility: Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Role of the volunteer cooperator
Cuso International is a Canadian NGO whose mission is to reduce poverty and inequality with the help of its highly qualified volunteer staff, local partners, and generous donors. Cuso International's main areas of focus are: 1) Strengthening gender equality and social inclusion; 2) Improving economic resilience through sustainable solutions; and 3) Advancing climate action.

With funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Cuso International is implementing its flagship volunteer cooperation program (SHARE project) in 10 countries, including Benin, from 2020 to 2028. The goal of the SHARE program is to improve the economic and social well-being of the poorest, most marginalized and most vulnerable people, especially women and girls.

In Benin, Cuso works to strengthen the economic empowerment of women and young people living in urban and rural areas. Cuso volunteers work alongside civil society organizations and women's/youth networks/associations to foster inclusive economic opportunities for Indigenous women and youth and create an environment conducive to gender equality. To build women's resilience to climate change, volunteers also support the implementation of environmental initiatives and the creation of green economic opportunities in promising sectors.

The Songhai Centre is the main partner organisation for this mandate, but the volunteer will also support the Country Office or other partner organisations of the SHARE Volunteer Cooperation Programme (VCP).

The volunteer will be required to carry out the following activities:

Actively support the implementation of diagnostics, particularly in the areas of environment and the identification of training and capacity-building needs.
Support the development of specific tools to mitigate the risks to which women and young women are exposed due to climate change
Support the training of Centre beneficiaries in agroecological production techniques, including sustainable soil and water management, and the use of natural inputs.
Facilitate the identification of technical and financial partners in the environmental field and create a simplified fact sheet on their funding procedures
To train staff from partner organizations in the development of environmental protection projects, climate change adaptation and/or mitigation, and agroecology
Essential academic skills:

University degree in a relevant field
Relevant work experience related to the mandate
Essential professional skills:

At least five years of experience in the field
Experience in capacity building
Ability to work with limited resources and as a team member
Experience working with non-profit organizations

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.

Support Package

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

Read More