Fundraising & Partnerships Advisor

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Start Date: January 2027

Placement Length: 5 months

Language Requirements: English Level 5-Fluent

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

The Volunteer’s Role

Are you passionate about helping nonprofit organizations secure sustainable funding, build strategic partnerships, and expand their impact? This is your opportunity to make a lasting difference.

As a Fundraising & Partnerships Advisor, you will collaborate with our partner Rejoice Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, strengthening the organization's ability to attract funding, engage partners, and deliver impactful youth-focused programs.

Using your expertise in fundraising, donor engagement, proposal development, and partnership building, you will help create systems, tools, and strategies that increase the organization's long-term sustainability and growth. Your contribution will directly support initiatives that empower young people through education, leadership development, entrepreneurship, and skills training.

Based in one of Africa's most influential cities, Addis Ababa serves as the headquarters of the African Union (AU) and hosts numerous international organizations, diplomatic missions, and development agencies. This dynamic environment provides unique opportunities for collaboration and resource mobilization that drive meaningful social change.

If you're ready to share your skills, strengthen local capacity, and help create opportunities for youth and communities across Ethiopia, we encourage you to apply today.

Join us in creating sustainable impact through fundraising, partnerships, and organizational growth.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Develop and support the implementation of fundraising events and campaigns to diversify revenue streams and increase donor engagement.
• Design sponsorship packages and outreach strategies to attract corporate, institutional, and community partners.
• Conduct donor research and support the development of grant proposals, concept notes, and funding applications.
• Identify and cultivate strategic partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, foundations, academic institutions, and private-sector organizations.
• Create donor-ready proposal templates and fundraising resources to support priority organizational programs.
• Strengthen resource mobilization systems, including donor databases, opportunity calendars, and proposal tracking tools.
• Enhance fundraising and communications materials, including sponsorship decks, organizational profiles, and impact stories.
• Deliver training and coaching sessions to staff and volunteers on fundraising, donor stewardship, proposal writing, and partnership development.
• Support donor stewardship activities by developing acknowledgment processes, reporting templates, and engagement strategies.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Development Studies, Business Administration, Management, Economics, Communications, Public Administration, Nonprofit Management, International Development, or a related field.

Essential Background:

• Experience in fundraising, donor relations, grant writing, sponsorship development, partnership management, or resource mobilization.
• Strong research, proposal writing, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience developing communications materials, reports, presentations, or funding applications.
• Ability to organize information, manage multiple priorities, and coordinate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience working with nonprofit, international development, youth-focused, community-based, or social impact organizations is considered an asset.

What’s in it for YOU? A life-changing experience!

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: Rejoice Africa

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
• 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!