Partnership and Collaboration Officer

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Start Date: January 2026

Placement Length: 5 months

Language Requirements: English Level 5-Fluent

Eligibility: Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only

The Volunteer’s Role

The Partnership and Collaboration Officer will engage closely with the Agency for Civil Society Organization (ACSO) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. This volunteer role is designed to enhance organizational capacities while being instrumental in the organization's strategic interactions with key stakeholders. In this position, the volunteer will cultivate valuable relationships, pinpoint collaboration opportunities, and enhance the operational effectiveness of civil society organizations (CSOs). Key responsibilities will include performing policy analysis, mapping stakeholders, and creating frameworks that foster sustainable partnerships.

As a volunteer, you will:

- Identify potential stakeholders for strategic alliances and foster robust working relationships with both international and local organizations.
- Establish and maintain a stakeholder database while reviewing current partnership agreements.
- Carry out assessments to detect common challenges encountered by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and offer recommendations.
- Create a stakeholder engagement strategy that highlights best practices and identifies opportunities for collaboration.
- Recognize performance deficiencies within CSOs and suggest initiatives for capacity building, technical assistance, or policy interventions to address these issues.

Essential Requirements:

- A degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Administration, or a closely related discipline

Essential Background:

- A minimum of 3 years of increasing responsibility in volunteer management, program development, or community engagement.
- Proven experience in designing and executing national or large-scale volunteer programs.
- Experience in training, capacity building, and collaboration with a variety of stakeholders.
- Familiarity with national policies on volunteering and international volunteerism standards, such as those set by UNV and IAVE.

What’s in it for YOU? A life-changing experience

About Us

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.

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

Partner: Agency for Civil Society Organization

Volunteer Support and Requirements

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

Selection and Screening

If you are shortlisted, you will need to:

- Confirm passport or permanent resident details for travel
- Provide two professional references and one personal reference
- Complete a language assessment during the initial phone interview
- Pass a police check and medical clearance before departure
- Comply with anti-terrorism checks
- Agree to uphold the Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policy and Code of Conduct

Residency and Citizenship: Candidates are responsible for confirming how volunteering internationally may affect their citizenship or residency status. Canadian Permanent Residents should verify requirements with Immigration Canada before travel.

Inclusion and Accessibility: Cuso International welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and equity-deserving groups. We provide reasonable accommodations throughout recruitment and placement. If you have accessibility needs, please contact us for support.

Ready to Make a Difference? Apply to volunteer today