Business Development Advisor (Women-Led SMEs)

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salam, Tanzania

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

Empower Women Entrepreneurs as a Business Development Advisor!

Cuso International is looking for a skilled and passionate professional to join the Volunteering Cooperation Program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

In this role, you will work with the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce to strengthen women-led small and medium enterprises across coastal regions. Your work will focus on improving business performance, increasing market access, and supporting sustainable growth within the blue economy.

Through the SHARE Project, you will help women entrepreneurs build resilient, profitable businesses in sectors such as fisheries, aquaculture, marine tourism, and coastal value chains.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Conduct needs assessments for women-led SMEs in blue economy sectors (fisheries, seaweed farming, aquaculture, marine tourism, coastal handicrafts, and seafood processing)
• Identify growth opportunities and support entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses
• Deliver training on entrepreneurship, business planning, financial management, and investment readiness
• Support improvements in product development, value addition, branding, packaging, and compliance with market standards
• Facilitate market linkages with buyers, tourism operators, exporters, and financial institutions
• Assist in developing business plans, marketing strategies, and investment proposals
• Integrate climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and gender-responsive approaches into business support
• Organize networking events, trade fairs, and learning exchanges
• Document success stories, innovations, and project impact

Essential Qualifications:

• Degree in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness, Marketing, Economics, International Development, or a related field

Essential Background:

• Strong business advisory and coaching experience
• Knowledge of value chain development and market access strategies
• Excellent facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong analytical and report-writing abilities
• Ability to work effectively with diverse partners and communities
• Understanding or experience in blue economy sectors is an asset

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: Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce (TWCC)

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!