Brief Description:

Partner Location Canada

Start date Nov 2019 (flexible)

Duration of the assignment 3 Months

Language Requirements French, English

Cuso International, Benin is seeking the support of a team of 2-3 researchers to study the structural and organizational difficulties of socio-economic empowerment of women and youth in Benin.

In February 2019, Cuso International submitted a project proposal to Global Affairs Canada as part of its 2020-2027 voluntary cooperation program. This program is a follow-up to the VOICE program that ends on March 30, 2020. It aims to contribute to the economic and / or social well-being of the poorest, most marginalized and vulnerable populations, especially women and youth, in developing countries. . This new program called
"SHARE" provides among other flagship strategic actions the implementation of a partnership dynamic with civil society organizations to support the design and implementation of socio-economic development programs and services for women and men. women and young people.

The present research aims to diagnose the factors limiting the economic empowerment of women and young people, in order to develop actions and strategies that can durably improve their living conditions.

It is a structured literature search highlighting the major structural and organizational problems preventing the socioeconomic empowerment of women and young people in Benin in particular and the subsequent solutions envisaged in various studies and research carried out to correct this situation.

This work will enable Cuso International in Benin and its local partners to better understand the challenges related to the empowerment of women and young people and to define relevant actions and strategies to implement in order to successfully implement the SHARE program in Benin.

The selected person will have to carry out the following activities:

-Identify the structural and organizational difficulties related to the sustainable empowerment of young people and women in West Africa in general and in Benin in particular and propose strategies to overcome them.

-Product Deliverable: A research report is available and includes:
- Contextual elements on the subject of the research;
- a brief description of the methodology used;
- A presentation of the results of the research;
- Relevant recommendations related to the problems identified.

- Result 1: The major structural and organizational constraints related to the empowerment of young people and women in situations of marginality, vulnerability and exclusion are identified and well documented.

- Outcome 2: Proposals for strategies to promote the economic empowerment of marginalized, vulnerable and excluded women and youth are made in relation to identified issues and contextual elements highlighted.

Essential academic skills:

-Diploma in social sciences, in international development or in a related field.

Experience / Essential Professional Skills:

-At least two to three years of research experience at university or professional level.
-Experience and interest in socio-economic issues from a gender perspective.

About E-Volunteering

Cuso International’s e-volunteering program welcomes new and returning volunteers to work with our international program partners and volunteers remotely. E-Volunteering offers many of the benefits gained from international volunteering, while having the extra advantage of fitting into one's regular weekly schedule without needing a passport. Contributing and giving back to a community, gaining new skills, and making new connections are common benefits of e-volunteering and for Cuso International it is a great opportunity to engage more people in its mission.

E-Volunteers are expected to supply their own basic home office equipment, Internet and have a moderate knowledge of computer technology. Some of our partners are located in remote areas with unreliable internet connection. In addition, for some of our partners, this is their first experience working with e-volunteers so flexibility and patience is a valuable e-volunteer characteristic.

E-Volunteers spend approximately 3-4 months in a placement and spend 2-10 hours per week working as an e-volunteer depending on the project requirements.

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