Livelihood and Enterprise Development Advisor

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Start Date: October 2026

Placement Length: 5 months

Language Requirements: English Level 5-Fluent, French (Asset)

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

The Volunteer’s Role

As a Livelihood and Enterprise Development Advisor, you will collaborate with the Professional Alliance for Development (PADet) and their team based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In this volunteer role, you will contribute to PADet’s efforts to design, implement, and enhance sustainable livelihood and enterprise development programs.

This role emphasizes increasing income-generating opportunities, building entrepreneurship skills, improving market access, and strengthening financial resilience within target communities, especially among vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and marginalized populations. Additionally, you will offer technical expertise, mentorship, and capacity-building assistance to program staff, community groups, and micro and small enterprises.

Apply today and let’s create a positive impact together!

As a volunteer, your duties will include:

• Providing technical guidance on livelihood and enterprise development strategies.
• Assisting in proposal creation and program planning.
• Supporting the design and improvement of income-generating activities (IGAs).
• Developing and delivering training modules on entrepreneurship and business planning, mentoring local staff and community facilitators, and enhancing the capacity of micro and small enterprises.
• Conducting basic market assessments and opportunity analyses, as well as supporting business plan development and evaluation.
• Fostering partnerships that promote sustainability, and collaborating with local government, private sector stakeholders, and financial institutions.

Essential Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in Economics, Business Administration, International Development, Social Entrepreneurship, or a related discipline

Essential Background:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to critically evaluate complex data, identify underlying issues, and develop innovative solutions that drive effective decision-making and project success.
• Comprehensive knowledge of market systems development approaches, including an understanding of the principles, methodologies, and best practices used to foster sustainable economic growth and enhance market functionality in diverse environments.

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: Professional Alliance for Development (PADeT)

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!