Brief Description:

Location: Bogota, Colombia

Start Date: December 2023

Placement Length: 12 Months

Language Requirements: English ; Spanish

Please submit a Spanish Resume and Statement of Interest

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada Only

The Volunteer’s Role
We're looking for a volunteer like you to support Fundación ACUA to develop a comprehensive gender approach in its work and that of its partner organizations.

Apply now to make a lasting impact with Fundación ACUA and the Afro-Latino communities they work so hard to empower.

As a volunteer, you will:

Advise Fundacion Chiyangua and Fundación ACUA on how to implement a gender policy with partners.
Accompany and support training programs with women entrepreneurs, particularly in Guapi and Timbiqui, as well as others that are defined in your work plan with Fundación ACUA. Include, as part of the workshop methodology, a way to promote the leadership of women and their capacity as trainers to apply their learning.
Support Fundación Chiyangua and Fundacion ACUA partners to include a gender focus to their work, including monitoring, evaluating and reporting on the advances of ACUA partners to include gender focus to their work.
Monitor new project proposals and support the team to include gender components (objectives, indicators, and benefits for partners).
Support the Identification and design of new proposals and opportunities that would help Fundación Chiyangua and Fundacion ACUA and its partners continue working on the advocacy initiatives, women's leadership and economic empowerment.

Essential Requirements:

University degree in the area of gender, development, or related areas.

Essential Background:

Minimum 3 years working experience in research and analysis (quantitative and qualitative), organizational development, planning and project management including M&E.
Expertise on gender, development and social inclusion.
Experience working with multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
Experience using participatory approaches and elaborating educative materials.
Previous experience analyzing development projects.

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 - Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE)

Cuso International will deliver the Sharing Canadian Expertise for Inclusive Development and Gender Equality (SHARE) project, with a contribution from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) over seven years (2020-2027). SHARE aims to improve the economic and/or social well-being of the poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable people, particularly women and girls, in developing countries, with a view to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to increasing engagement of Canadians in international development and key global issues, this project will aim to increase the performance of country partners to deliver more inclusive, innovative and environmentally sustainable development initiatives that advance gender equality, in support of the action areas of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Partner - Fundación Activos Culturales Afro (ACUA)

The Afro Cultural Assets Foundation –ACUA- is a non-profit entity that was created as an IFAD program in 2007 and later became a foundation in 2010. ACUA promotes the sustainable empowerment of cultural assets of organized Afro-descendant communities. ACUA, in co-ownership with Afro-descendant communities, contributes to the promotion of innovative income-generating initiatives, the recovery of cultural knowledge and practices, and economic and social inclusion. The Foundation manages projects in Latin America for the development of Afro-descendant communities with the main objective of closing the gaps and improving the living conditions of the rural Afro-descendant population.

ACUA seeks to increase visibility and strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit of Afro-descendant communities in Latin America and has directly benefited 16,000 people of African descent. In terms of indicators, the income generated by each organization with which it has worked has increased by around 50%, and more than 35% of the ventures have marketing or visibility agreements. Since it was created by IFAD, almost half of the companies supported by the Foundation have been run by young people and 80% by women. Of the total beneficiaries, 67% have been women and 25% youth.

The ACUA Foundation, in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, has implemented activities and participated in public policy processes to support the recognition and safeguarding of 5 cultural assets declared as intangible cultural heritage.

Fundación ACUA's methodology prioritizes capacity building and the expansion of innovations through peer education, knowledge sharing, specialized local talents, knowledge transfer and the enhancement of territories. These strategies have created a multiplier effect in the learning processes and in the actions implemented with specific families and organizations.

Requisitos

Prestaciones
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

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
We seek individuals who share our values and are dedicated to supporting marginalized groups, including those from the LGBTQIA+ communities

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.

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