Brief Description:

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Castries, St. Lucia

Start Date: April 2024

Placement Length: 7-9 months

Language Requirements: English

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada Only

The Volunteer’s Role
The main objective of this placement is to strengthen the Gender Division's capabilities in implementing initiatives for gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) within its policies, programs, and services. The aim is to address the needs and rights of women and vulnerable groups, including efforts to prevent Gender-Based Violence.

As a volunteer, you will play a crucial role in enhancing the staff's skills by delivering engaging training sessions on integrating gender equality. Your tasks will also involve developing monitoring and evaluation tools essential for seamlessly incorporating GESI into programming. Furthermore, you will act as the gender specialist responsible for integrating gender equality principles not only within the specific ministry but also across other relevant ministries.

The BLUEPRINTS project covers four countries: Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Your collaborative efforts will closely align with three other Gender Experts based in Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Additionally, you will collaborate with a local In-Country Program Support Officer to provide comprehensive support to both the Gender Divisions and various ministries.

Submit your application today and join us in making a meaningful impact!

As a volunteer, you will:

Conduct an assessment of the staff's capacity to implement gendered policies, programs, and services.
Provide support in developing and training resources, and conduct training sessions with staff from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) on gender equality mainstreaming into their programs using a human-rights-based approach.
Support the development and implementation of gender policies and policies related to gender-based violence (GBV).
Develop GESI/RBA indicators to monitor and report on the effectiveness of program implementation beyond sex-disaggregated data.
Update the center'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.

Benefits
Terms and Conditions
Cuso International's 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 (eg. loans, support payments, etc.) or luxury items such as imported items in placement or international personal travel.

Support Package

Modest monthly living allowance
Accommodation while in placement
Round-trip airfare and visa/work permit costs
Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication, and health insurance
Pre-departure training, in-country orientation and reintegration debriefing
On-the-ground support through our Cuso International's 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 receive suitable housing arrangements that will be coordinated by the local program office of Cuso International for the duration of your placement. The accommodation will be fully furnished with essential items such as a stove, refrigerator, bedroom furniture, table, chairs, cutlery, upholstery, and sheets. It will include necessary amenities like running water and electricity. The experience will be similar to that of staying in an Airbnb. You will be responsible for the security deposit payment, typically equivalent to one month's rent. Additionally, the program office offers the option of an advance that will be deducted from your stipend over three to four months.

Cuso International will cover the monthly rental cost of your accommodation. You will be responsible for covering utilities such as internet access, water, electricity, etc., 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 before your departure
Due to the COVID-19 situation, be double vaccinated following 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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