This Volunteer Placement is Located in : Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Start Date : November 2024

Placement Length : 6 months with the possibility of extension

Language Requirements : English Level 5-Fluent

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

The Volunteer’s Role

If you are a passionate about helping organizations in Communication and Knowledge Management to increase their capacity in advocacy, strategic planning and developing policies, this is the role for you.

As a Knowledge and Communication Officer, you'll be working with Hiwot Ethiopia along with their team in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

In this role, you will support the efforts to enhance the organization capacity to promote its work and raise advocacy and awareness creation for sustaining its mission.

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), 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).

Apply today and help us to make a difference!

As a volunteer, you will :

• Serve as a focal person for communications and knowledge management with organizations which can support Hiwot Ethiopia’s relief and development endeavors
• Deliver technical support to the management teams regarding effective communication and knowledge management strategies and tools to achieve better organizational performance and results
• Build Strategic Partnerships with CSOs, and Consortiums : analyse and develop materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders; establishes and nurtures positive communications with partners, funders and donors.
• Support in synthesizing Hiwot Ethiopia’s achievements and developing strategic documents such as policy briefs and other knowledge products for influencing policy and practice.
• Draft press releases, factsheets, newsletters, press / media kits, event proceedings, and news stories for media uptake and to inform key partners and other targeted audiences about the results and achievements of the organization;
• Support the documentation and dissemination of best practices, case stories and notable lessons of Hiwot Ethiopia’s programs and projects;
• Provide support to develop the communication, advocacy and lobbying guidelines and strategies of the organization.
• Identify the communication and knowledge management needs of the organization and lead the development of appropriate tools
• Promote Organizational Learning, as well as Knowledge Development and Sharing : generates new ideas and approaches to improve the performance and results of the organization.
• Deliver technical and capacity development support to the organization teams though training, mentoring and coaching on communication and knowledge management including collecting and writing impact stories.

Essential Requirements :

Essential Background :

Applicants need to have at least four years of professional work experiences and good knowledge on :

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 the Caribbean, and Canada.

We seek individuals who share our values and are committed to supporting marginalized groups, including those from the LGBTQIA+ communities.

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, to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. In addition to increasing the 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 - Hiwot Ethiopia

Hiwot” means “Life”. Hiwot Ethiopia was initially established as a youth club by fourteen young people who wished to make a difference. From these small beginnings, Hiwot Ethiopia grew and developed into an association, then a registered NGO with the Charities and Societies Agency as an Ethiopian Civil Society Organization / NGOs / charity focused on working with children and youth. Hiwot Ethiopia delivers a range of multi-year projects with a number of local and international partners.