Volunteer With Us

By sharing your professional knowledge and expertise, you can make a positive difference in Canada and around the world. We’ve been successfully matching our volunteer Catalyste+ Advisors with clients and partners in over 120 countries since 1967. Our volunteers drive both economic and social change by strengthening the private sector and creating an environment for communities to thrive.

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Eligibility Requirements

Typically, a minimum of 15 years working experience is required, with at least ten years of experience in the field or with a role that an Advisor is looking to support. In select cases, we work with Advisors with less experience, provided they have the right mix of knowledge and expertise to suit the Catalyste+ partner’s needs. Advisors must be:

  • A resident or citizen of Canada.
  • Covered under a Canadian provincial health program.
  • Native or fully professional in either English or French.
Two men stand holding agricultural equipment in Peru

Our Focus

We are looking to add to the diverse range of skills and experiences we offer to make sure we can provide the right support to our partners. We work in a broad range of industry sectors and key areas that drive inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Functional Skills of Interest

Catalyste+ Advisors deliver expertise across all functions of an organization.

This function helps an organization pursue strategic opportunities, which may involve identifying new markets, developing strategic partnerships or sales.

The finance function focuses on the planning and control of financial resources. It may involve the acquisition and utilization of funds necessary for efficient operations.

This function supports those responsible for a department, business or organization’s operations. It would involve collaborating with those who hold titles such as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Departmental Head, Director General (DG), Executive Director (ED), General Manager (GM) or President.

This function deals with the hiring, administration and training of personnel.

This function oversees the installation and maintenance of an organization’s information and communications systems.

The marketing function is responsible for defining, pricing, promoting and distributing an organization’s product or service.

This function involves planning, organizing, coordinating and controlling the resources needed to produce goods and services.

This function is centered on the technical aspects of product strategy, planning and design. It would involve development, engineering, infrastructure and networking.

What it Means to be an Advisor

Cyndi’s professional career spans 18 years. Thirteen of those years were spent as an accountant. Cyndi has worked with a wide variety of public and private clients over her career, executing strong accounting expertise and tools, which she can share to build the capacity of Catalyste+ partners. Cyndi works full time at her job but has flexible work hours. Her evenings and weekends are also available, which makes it possible for her to support virtual assignments.

Tony has recently retired following a 35-year career in the manufacturing of consumer goods. His background includes an executive MBA, several C-suite and advisory roles and board positions ranging from non-profit to publicly listed companies. Eager for a way to fill his time by giving back and creating long-lasting impact, Tony volunteers with Catalyste+ regularly, working primarily in Latin America.

Your Catalyste+ Advisor Journey

Our Volunteer Services and in-country teams support you throughout your journey—from application to going on an assignment. You’ll be joining thousands of Catalyste+ Advisors who help build stronger economies for better lives through volunteer work.

Becoming a Volunteer: Application and Assessment

Application

Fill out the Catalyste+ Advisor application form and attach your résumé in Microsoft Word format, making sure your contact information (address, phone and email) is included on your resume. Please note that you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and covered under a Canadian provincial health program (e.g. BC Services Plan, OHIP, Quebec Health Insurance Plan).

Revision

We carefully review each application to ensure a strong match between an Advisor’s skills and the needs of our programs.

Orientation

You will receive a link to watch a 15-minute orientation video that provides information about Catalyste+ and how to apply and prepare for an assignment.

Interview

We will contact you to schedule a phone interview, followed by a reference check.

Becoming a Volunteer: Onboarding

1

Compliance Training
The compliance training consists of three online modules:
Ethics and Code of Conduct, Global Workplace Harassment, and Intercultural Communications.

2

Criminal Record Check
Catalyste+ requires a criminal record check from all Catalyste+ Advisors going on assignments.

3

Review Catalyste+ Policies
You will be required to read and understand Catalyste+’s policies. A signed acknowledgement form must be returned through an online portal.

4

Administration Fee
Pay the one-time $100 administration fee to payments@catalysteplus.org using Interac e-Transfer.

5

Welcome!
Successful candidates will receive a welcome letter and log-in information for the myCatalyste+ online information portal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the steps specified in the “Become a Volunteer” section earlier on this page.

Catalyste+ covers the costs associated with: 1. *Travel costs to and from the assignment, 2. Food and accommodation (up to a maximum of the established daily rate), 3. Travel and accident insurance Incidental costs. *When booking airfares, Catalyste+ must comply with the requirements stipulated in our funding agreement with our program funder, which states: “Global Affairs Canada will limit the reimbursement of plane tickets to the lowest fare available at the time of reservation even when the Organization chooses not to use this fare”. This means that you must accept the most direct and cost effective route to and from the assignment and travel will be in economy class. If you would like to book upgraded seats, you will be responsible to pay the difference. Please speak with your Program Coordinator if you would like to learn more.

Yes, you can bring your spouse/partner at their own expense and only with the permission of both Catalyste+ and the client. Our funding applies only to the expenses of the Advisor, not the spouse/partner.

As an Advisor you are expected to: 1. Work cooperatively with Catalyste+ staff, clients and partners in order to meet their defined needs 2. Act as a mentor and/or advisor to the client/partner you are working with. 3. Execute your assignment to the best of your ability, including pre- and post-assignment planning and requirements. 4. Represent Catalyste+ to the best of your ability at all times in accordance with our Code of Conduct.

With an internet connection and the proper tools, Catalyste+ Advisors can facilitate a transfer of knowledge and offer their expertise to support partners in a remote capacity. You can apply for a virtual assignment using the same process as an in-person assignment.

Email volunteerservices@catalysteplus.org for assistance.

For international volunteer assignments, Catalyste+ covers the costs associated with: 1. *Flights to and from the country of assignment, 2. Entry visas, 3. Health and accident insurance, 4. Medical clearance/vaccinations, 5. In-country travel related to the assignment (not including personal travel), 6. Food and accommodation up to a maximum of the established country daily rate, 7. A per diem spending allowance. *When booking airfares, Catalyste+ must comply with the requirements stipulated in our funding agreement with our program funder, which states: “Global Affairs Canada will limit the reimbursement of plane tickets to the lowest fare available at the time of reservation even when the Organization chooses not to use this fare”. This means that you must accept the most direct and cost effective route to and from the assignment and travel will be in economy class. If you would like to book upgraded seats, you will be responsible to pay the difference. Please speak with your Program Coordinator if you would like to learn more.

All Catalyste+ Advisors must be covered under a Canadian provincial health program (e.g. BC Services Plan, OHIP, Quebec Health Insurance Plan). Applicants without this coverage will not be permitted to go on assignment.

In-person international assignments typically last from two to four weeks. In-person assignments in Canada typically last from two days to two weeks. Virtual assignments vary from one to two months depending on the program and assignment type. There are some exceptions for mentoring assignments, which could last up to a year with a few site visits.

We try to provide Advisors with as much notice as possible about a potential assignment. Typically, for assignments in Canada, successful candidates will be given two weeks to one month’s notice to prepare for and deploy to assignments. For international volunteer assignments, successful candidates will typically be given two weeks up to a few month’s notice.

myCatalyste+ is our internal web portal that gives you access to all current Advisor opportunities, as well as detailed information and any documents necessary for your assignments. You will gain access to myCatalyste+ upon becoming an active Catalyste+ Advisor (CA).

For questions in English, please contact Volunteer Services at volunteerservices@catalysteplus.org. For questions in French, please contact servicesvolontaires@catalysteplus.org.

Volunteer Application Form

Languages and Proficiencies

Contact Details

Expertise And Experience

Industry Sector Experience (Select 1 or more)

Functional Expertise (Select 1 or more)

Application Details

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada to become a volunteer with Catalyste+. As you do not currently meet this criterion, we cannot accept your application.

Sorry, you cannot continue with your application if you have been convicted of a crime for which you are yet to receive a pardon. Please contact Agatha Dudzinski to proceed with your application.

Resume

Please upload your resume(s) in Microsoft Word or PDF format and ensure your contact information is included in your resume. If you wish to be considered for both English and French assignments please upload both resumes.

Acknowledgement

All information provided in this form is strictly confidential and intended solely for internal use within Catalyste+. No information provided herein will be disclosed without the prior consent of the applicant.