Program assistant Jobs in Abbotsford, BC

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Kingston, Jamaica

Start Date: July 2026

Placement Length: 6 months

Language Requirements: English Level 4-Advanced

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

The Volunteer’s Role

This placement offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with our partner, the Private Sector Organization of Jamaica (PSOJ) in enhancing its monitoring and evaluation (M&E) capabilities across its programs and services, as well as refining its governance frameworks and practices.

As a volunteer, you'll play a key role in creating innovative M&E tools, such as impact mapping, beneficiary mapping, and outcome harvesting, to effectively track and showcase PSOJ’s impact to both internal teams and external stakeholders. Moreover, you'll contribute to the design and implementation of robust governance frameworks that promote efficient operations and transparent reporting.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Design monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools to capture the impact of the PSOJ at both micro and macro levels, resulting in the creation of an M&E plan and tracking tool, development of results-based matrices, and preparation of reporting templates for external stakeholders.
• Create governance tools to ensure sustainability and provide strategic direction, achieving a completed needs assessment on the current status of the PIOJ and the development and implementation of a governance strengthening plan under the guidance of the Executive Director.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in organizational management, business administration, or a related discipline

Essential Background:

• Strong interpersonal skills, keen attention to detail, proven problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to exercise independent judgment, along with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Extensive background in strategic planning and experience in developing organizational plans
• Solid experience collaborating with teams, demonstrating a high level of initiative and self-motivation
• Experience in delivering training sessions
• Familiarity with operational plans and policies, as well as experience in business planning and management

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: Private Sector of Jamaica Foundation

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!