Gender Equality Advisor

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname

Start Date: March 2026

Placement Length: 5 months

Language Requirements: English Level 4-Advanced

Eligibility: Open to Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and residents of the Caribbean region.

The Volunteer's Role

The primary objective of this placement is to enhance and empower the National Conversation Trust Funds (NCTF) throughout the region by intricately weaving the principles of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into their overarching policies, programs, and services. By doing so, we aim to cultivate a more inclusive environment that acknowledges and promotes diverse voices and experiences.

As a volunteer in this vital initiative, you will take on a crucial role in strengthening the capacity of the staff by providing comprehensive training sessions. These sessions will be meticulously designed to focus on the core principles of gender equality and the systematic integration of GESI into existing and future programming efforts. Your contributions will not only empower the staff but also create a ripple effect that positively impacts the communities served by the NCTF.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Assess staff proficiency in implementing gender-focused policies, programs, and services
• Support the development of training resources and conduct training sessions for NCTF staff, as well as personnel from women's rights and environmental organizations, on incorporating gender equality into their initiatives using a human rights-based approach
• Assist in the development of operational and human resources policies
  

Essential Requirements:

• A university degree in social or political sciences, international development, human rights, gender studies, social work, law, public policy, or a related discipline is required.

Essential Background:

• At least 3 years of proven experience in roles associated with the advancement of gender equality, diversity, and/or women's development initiatives
• Experience in collaboration with government agencies and interaction with executive leadership.
• Experience in conducting training and facilitation

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: Caribbean Organizations for a Resilient Environment (CORE)

Partner: National Conservation Trust Fund (NCTF)

Benefits

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!