Government Relations Advisor

Position: Government Relations Advisor

Employer: Cuso International

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Deadline: September 30, 2023

Employment Type: Volunteer

Position Level: Mid Level

Salary Range: Monthly Stipend

Closing Date: September 30, 2023

Full Description

Brief Description:

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Start Date: August 2023

Placement Length: 6 Months

Language Requirements: English

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada Only

The Volunteer’s Role
As a government relations advisor, you'll be working with the Ministry of Labor and Skills, (MoLS) team in Addis Ababa Ethiopia and contribute to their overall goal of creating 20 million jobs by 2030.

In this role, you will help organizations to increase their capacity in creating opportunities for unemployed citizens. You will also be taking a proactive role in managing regular, safe and orderly labour mobility programs, developing partnerships with other countries and creating linkage and communications with international labour markets.

Ethiopia is home to the third largest number of diplomatic missions in the world, after New York and Geneva. As the national capital, Addis Ababa remains the economic, political and administrative hub of Ethiopia. The city has gained international significance as the headquarter of the African Union (AU), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UN-ECA) and a regional office for a number of international organizations including UNDP, UNESCO and the European Economic Commission (EEC).

As a volunteer, your duties will revolve around:

Expansion into Existing Markets: UAE and Qatar present, among the four GCC countries with existing bilateral agreements, opportunities for expanding labour mobility programs for semi-skilled and skilled workers in addition to exiting pipelines for low-skilled workers. Accordingly, she/he is expected to provide technical support to achieve this.
New destinations for skilled & semi-skilled: among OECD countries Poland and Japan have shown a strong promise as new markets to tap into given the labour market demand assessment by various Ethiopian missions & ILO assessment. The volunteer is expected to tap this new market demand assessment and technically support the state minister in exchanging correspondents as well.
Maritime as a market: with a strong proof concept—1500 Ethiopian marine officers already placed in international shipping lines since 2012—the maritime industry could absorb additional ratings and on-deck support staff providing various services at a competitive price. Thus, the volunteer is expected to identify partners and job matching with the job seekers.
ICT Service Export: The volunteer is expected to provide technical support in identifying partners with trainers and job-matching agencies to upskill computer science and ICT graduates within 6 months and arrange contracts with international service seekers.

Essential Requirements:

Degree in international development, Economics, international labour law or a related field.

Essential Background:

Knowledge of the current international labour laws and international labour agreements Ethiopia has with partner countries is highly desired.

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 - Jobs Creation Commission Ethiopia

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Jobs Creation Commission (JCC) is established under the Office of the Prime Minister to advance the government’s goal around employment and job creation. With a vision to create a country where all have access to sustainable jobs, it is positioned to lead, govern and coordinate the jobs creation agenda at the national and subnational levels. In doing so, it guides the interventions of government, the private sector and development partners to high-growth sectors through policy analysis, innovation and market-oriented skill development.

Requirements
Experience in Strategy development, program design, training facilitation and program management and working with CSO’s.

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

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.

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