Gender Advisor - Volunteer in Saint Lucia

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Castries, St. Lucia
Start Date: May 2024
Placement Length: 7-9 months
Language Requirements: English 
Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada Only

The Volunteer’s Role
The main objective of this placement is to strengthen the Gender Division's capabilities in implementing initiatives for gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) within its policies, programs, and services. The aim is to address the needs and rights of women and vulnerable groups, including efforts to prevent Gender-Based Violence.

As a volunteer, you will play a crucial role in enhancing the staff's skills by delivering engaging training sessions on integrating gender equality. Your tasks will also involve developing monitoring and evaluation tools essential for seamlessly incorporating GESI into programming. Furthermore, you will act as the gender specialist responsible for integrating gender equality principles not only within the specific ministry but also across other relevant ministries.

The BLUEPRINTS project covers four countries: Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Your collaborative efforts will closely align with three other Gender Experts based in Dominica, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Additionally, you will collaborate with a local In-Country Program Support Officer to provide comprehensive support to both the Gender Divisions and various ministries.

Submit your application today and join us in making a meaningful impact!

As a volunteer, you will:

Conduct an assessment of the staff's capacity to implement gendered policies, programs, and services.
Provide support in developing and training resources, and conduct training sessions with staff from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) on gender equality mainstreaming into their programs using a human-rights-based approach.
Support the development and implementation of gender policies and policies related to gender-based violence (GBV).
Develop GESI/RBA indicators to monitor and report on the effectiveness of program implementation beyond sex-disaggregated data.
Update the center's monitoring and evaluation system to measure the program's impact, progress, and tracking of participant development.

Essential Requirements:

University degree in social/political sciences, international development, human rights, gender studies, social work, law, public policy, or related fields

Essential Background:

Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated experience in a position related to the promotion of gender equality, diversity and/or women’s development issues
Experience working with government agencies and senior management
Experience in training and facilitation

Support Package

Modest monthly living allowance (varies depending on country)
Accommodation while in placement
Return airfare and visa/work permit costs
Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication, and health insurance
Pre-departure training, in-country orientation, and reintegration debriefing, including travel and accommodation (more details below)
On the ground support through our Cuso International country program office
Access to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon return
Bonus: Additional return flight home or cash in lieu after 12 months of service for volunteers who extend for another 6 months

Fundraising

We ask each volunteer, regardless of placement length, to raise $2,000. All volunteers receive support from Cuso International to help achieve the goal through fundraising. If the volunteer chooses not to fundraise or is unable to achieve the fundraising goal, he/she can make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor to support our work.

Only applications made to our website will be considered: https://cusointl.org/3PaixJn