Communications Officer

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Kingston, Jamaica

Start Date: September 2026

Placement Length: 5 months

Language Requirements: English Level 4-Advanced

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

The Volunteer’s Role

As a volunteer, you'll play a pivotal role in executing a range of exciting marketing and communication initiatives. This includes managing the social media platforms, overseeing the website, engaging in public relations, and crafting compelling content. You will also contribute to the development of branding guidelines and materials that resonate with our mission. An important part of your journey will be evaluating strengths, opportunities, and areas for improvement to refine the foundation's communication and marketing strategies.

Our partner, United Way of Jamaica, works to mobilize resources to transform lives throughout Jamaica, which has left indelible marks in the key areas of Education, Health, and Income Stability. Working with UWJ will further strengthen Cuso International’s aim to provide greater opportunities to vulnerable groups to achieve a more inclusive and equitable society.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Assist in fostering a vibrant social media presence, which includes designing artwork.
• Help the team in designing, developing, and publishing content for the website.
• Facilitate training sessions for staff on innovative communication strategies and techniques.
• Contribute to the team’s public relations initiatives, including the completion of annual reports.
• Support in the development of a donor management database.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field.

Essential Background:

• Ability to collaborate effectively within teams, especially with community-based organizations
• Excellent communication abilities, both verbal and written
• Desirable knowledge and experience in human rights
• Proficient in graphic design and video editing using Canva, Photoshop, After Effects, or similar software

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: United Way 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!