Program officer Jobs in Kitchener, ON

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Kingston, Jamaica

Start Date: September 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 actively contribute to our partner, the Abilities Foundation of Jamaica (AF) by supporting the implementation of its impactful programs and activities. Your role as a volunteer will be vital in enhancing their internal operations, ensuring the effective delivery of psychosocial support to students, and assisting in program development, including resource mobilization.

Abilities Foundation is dedicated to empowering persons with disabilities through quality vocational education and life skills training, helping them become creative, productive members of society. By joining forces with Abilities Foundation, you will help advance Cuso International’s mission to expand opportunities for vulnerable groups, especially persons living with disabilities (PLWD), fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Support the Project Coordinator with various project-related activities as required to meet program goals and deliverables. This includes providing general assistance for special projects and tasks, such as managing external communications, preparing reports and presentations, and executing agreed-upon duties with staff.
• Assist project team members in developing grant proposals to secure sustainable funding for ongoing projects. This involves continuous research into potential grant opportunities and initiating contact with prospective donors as approved by the team.
• Help improve the Foundation’s operational workflows, including human resources and management processes. This includes reviewing current procedures and offering recommendations along with a detailed plan for implementation.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences

Essential Background:

• Experience in organizational development and planning, with experience collaborating with groups, preferably community-based ones.
• Excellent communication, oral, and writing skills, and teamwork abilities

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: Abilities Foundation of Jamaica

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!