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.

Terms and Conditions

Cuso International's terms and conditions allow you to lead a modest and healthy lifestyle similar to local living standards. 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
- Medical Health Insurance (including the cost of required vaccinations and antimalarial medication)
- Round-trip airfare and visa/work permit costs
- Pre-placement training, In-Country Orientation (ICO) and Reintegration Debriefing
- Support while in placement through Cuso International's Country Program Office (CPO) and local partners throughout your placement
- Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) while in placement and upon return

Selection Requirements:

Please note that if you are shortlisted for the placement, you will be required to:

- Confirm Passport or Permanent Resident details for travel purposes
- Provide 2 Professional References and 1 Personal Reference
- Complete a language assessment during the preliminary telephone interview in the language required for your placement
- Obtain a satisfactory Police Check
- Complete a medical exam and be medically cleared before your departure
- Due to the COVID-19 situation, be double vaccinated following the World Health Organization-approved vaccines.

Pre-placement Training and Briefing - Skills and Knowledge for Working in Development (SKWID)

We commit to helping you prepare as best as possible for your placement. You will have a Volunteering Mobilization Advisor (VMA) to support you through the process and will participate in pre-placement training as part of your preparation. You will also have access to self-directed briefing documents, online training, and external resources through the volunteer portal. This training is designed to maximize your understanding of your placement and culture, help you identify and plan your learning, and help you stay safe and healthy during your placement.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Cuso International works with poor, vulnerable and marginalized people, mainly women and girls, to eradicate poverty and inequality. We understand the need to uphold and enforce the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct.

At Cuso International, we believe that all people, regardless of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed (religion), sex, age, record of offences, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, gender expression and identity or disability have the right to live lives free of harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Cuso International considers all forms of harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse to be incompatible with fundamental belief in the human dignity of all people, international and national agreements and standards, and its core values. Cuso International volunteers must agree to uphold the Child Protection, Prevention of Workplace Violence, Prevention of Workplace Harassment and Discrimination, and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Policies and Code of Conduct.

Residency and Citizenship

During the application and pre-placement phases, most Cuso International applicants are based in Canada, although we also receive applications from outside Canada. Regardless of your location, it's crucial for us to maintain easy and prompt communication with you between your application and start dates. We may request your passport, need to know your current residence, and be informed of any travel plans.

Leaving your country of residence can impact your citizenship status. If you're leaving your residence for a placement, it is your responsibility to research the implications with local immigration authorities. By applying, you accept full responsibility for any consequences regarding citizenship, residency, or immigration status. Canadian Permanent Residents should make arrangements with immigration authorities before travelling to avoid any risks to their residency status.

Additional Information

We are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment that reflects the diversity of the communities we support. We strongly encourage applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, including but not limited to Indigenous Peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and others from equity-deserving groups or underrepresented groups.

Applicants who require accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process or volunteer placement are encouraged to contact us to discuss how we can best support their accessibility needs. Reasonable accommodations will be provided wherever possible to ensure that all individuals can participate fully and equitably.