Project Support Officer (Biz Town)

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

Join us in making a meaningful impact by supporting our partner, Junior Achievement Jamaica (JAJ) as they elevate their services and offerings through the dynamic JA BizTown Program for high school youth.

JA BizTown is an exciting initiative aimed at boosting the business intelligence of grade five students while enhancing their performance on standardized tests. This immersive experience at a young age plays a vital role in shaping a brighter economic future for our nation.

As a volunteer, you will be instrumental in strengthening Junior Achievement’s school engagement efforts by optimizing BizTown operations and advancing Cuso International’s mission to empower Jamaica’s youth with essential business skills and guide them toward financial independence.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Assist JAJ with coordinating BizTown by supporting school field visits, monitoring progress, and documenting feedback. Help plan implementations and evaluate student learning through class visits, attendance tracking, and reports.
• Maintain documentation and scheduling for BizTown, manage data entry for tests, and support logistics during simulation visits, including student orientation and meetings.
• Assist students during simulations, prepare completion certificates, and enhance program visibility through social media content and newsletters.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies or a related field

Essential Background:

• Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills with strong written and verbal communication abilities
• Proficient in technology, including Microsoft Office, online research, and database tools
• Detail-oriented, passionate about working with secondary/high school students, and dedicated to youth development

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: Junior Achievement 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!