Program specialist Jobs in Vaughan, ON

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Lima, Peru

Start Date: October 2026

Placement Length: 5 months

Language Requirements: Spanish Level 4-Advanced

Please submit a Spanish Resume and Statement of Interest

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

The Volunteer’s Role

Join us as a volunteer with Cuso International to make a real impact in Peru! We’re looking for an experienced individual to help design an innovative education program in collaboration with the Canada Peru Chamber of Commerce (CCCP). Your mission? To engage school communities in understanding the importance of responsible mining for Peru’s economic and social development.

This unique assignment offers the opportunity to build a long-term educational initiative that brings together the private sector, educational institutions, and public stakeholders to promote informed dialogue, critical thinking, and evidence-based learning about the mining sector. The volunteer will play a key role in developing the program framework, stakeholder engagement strategy, educational approach, and implementation model that will guide the Chamber's future outreach efforts.

Because the program addresses a strategic and highly relevant sector for Peru, candidates should have an understanding of the mining context or previous professional exposure to the mining, natural resources, extractive industries, or related sectors. This knowledge will be essential to ensure that the educational content is balanced, credible, contextually relevant, and aligned with international principles of responsible mining and sustainable development.

If you’re ready to blend your expertise with meaningful volunteer work and help create a program with lasting national impact, we want to hear from you!

As a volunteer, your duties will include:

• In-depth Research and Context Analysis: Conduct comprehensive research on Peru’s mining sector, regulatory environment, public perception, and existing education-related initiatives.
• Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement Strategy (CCCP-led): Identify key stakeholders (government, companies, schools, NGOs) and design a clear engagement strategy for the Chamber, including how to approach, involve, and sustain their participation.
• Program Design and Structuring (Chamber-led Initiative): Develop a comprehensive program framework including objectives, target audiences, key messages, formats (talks, panels, materials), and a phased implementation approach.
• Operational and Logistical Model Design: Define how the program can be executed by the Chamber, including school selection criteria, geographic rollout strategy, coordination mechanisms, and options for regional activation (e.g., local support or partners).
• Educational Content and Material Guidelines: Propose the structure, tone, and key messages of educational materials to ensure they are accessible, balanced, and aligned with responsible and formal mining principles.

Essential Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in Education, Social Sciences, Communications, Public Policy, International Development, or a related field

Essential Background:

• Experience in research, analysis, and synthesis of complex information
• Experience in program or project design
• Experience developing structured reports, frameworks, or strategic recommendations

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: Canada Peru Chamber of Commerce

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!