Data Architecture & Governance Advisor

This Volunteer Placement is Located in: Cali, Colombia

Start Date: July 2026

Placement Length: 5 months

Language Requirements: Spanish Level 4-Advanced

Please submit a Spanish Resume and Statement of Interest

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

The Volunteer’s Role

This volunteer placement offers a unique opportunity to help transform how our partner, Fundacion wwb Colombia, captures, manages, and uses its data to measure social impact.

The main objective of this placement is to translate a comprehensive technical assessment of the Foundation’s data value chain into a robust data architecture and governance framework. Following an internal audit that identified over 3,000 variables and a high degree of fragmentation, the volunteer will lead the design and basic implementation phases of our data standardization project.

The volunteer will go beyond theory to lay the technical foundations for implementation, ensuring full alignment with the Foundation’s current platforms (such as our CRM and existing information systems). Rather than a simple database fix, the volunteer will design the strategic architecture needed to transform our administrative records into reliable assets for measuring social impact.

We expect the volunteer to provide high-level recommendations on how to optimize our current tools to:

- Refine data capture logic: redesign the data flow into the CRM to eliminate the 80% standardisation gap that currently exists at source.

- Automate auditing: develop the technical requirements to move from manual Excel-based auditing and the forwarding of contacts to participants, to automated validation rules within our platforms.

- Unify silos: design a ‘single source of truth’ that connects the disparate data currently residing in Google Drive, local files and virtual classrooms into a cohesive system.

- Scale for the future: ensure that the new architecture is compatible with our roadmap towards predictive analytics and AI, moving from ‘detect and react’ to ‘predict and act’.

As a volunteer, your duties will include:

• Architectural design for platform integration: translating existing technical assessments into a high-level data architecture that integrates the CRM with current ‘silos’, such as virtual classrooms and offline forms. This includes designing a cross-cutting data capture model that minimizes the operational burden on field teams and eliminates the practice of using ‘Excel as a database’.
• Standardization and normalization of variables: apply the proposed dimensional model (person, household, business) to the 3,057 identified variables, focusing on the 80% that require wording adjustments.
• Optimization of the ‘Data Capture to Audit’ chain: design automated validation rules to replace current manual processes and re-contact participants
• Analytical scalability and roadmap: develop technical requirements for the transition from static reports to advanced predictive models and artificial intelligence.
• Governance framework: define roles, responsibilities and automated quality controls (audits) to replace manual contact with participants.

Essential Qualifications:

• Solid professional background in Economics, Statistics, Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Information Science, Business Administration or related fields.
• 3 and 5 years of practical experience in the operational implementation of information systems, data management, data quality assurance and support for analytical processes in medium and large organizations.

Essential Background:

• Proven experience in the design and management of data capture and storage systems to support data analysis, visualization, and process automation. Experience in developing relational data maps, structuring beneficiary information systems and creating modular data collection tools that enable reliable monitoring and decision-making for social programmes.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams in the fields of analysis, information technology and operations, supporting information standardization processes and improving data capture workflows. Strong applied knowledge of data management tools and platforms, including CRM systems, digital forms, relational databases and administrative environments such as Google Workspace or similar tools.
• Experience of working with social organizations, NGOs or social impact projects is highly valued, particularly in contexts involving vulnerable populations and sensitive data. Recognized for the ability to translate technical and strategic data guidelines into clear and practical operational processes for non-technical teams.
• Key competencies include strong organizational skills, clear and effective communication, operational problem-solving, process supervision and monitoring, and a collaborative mindset with a willingness to work on-site as part of a team.

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: Fundación WWB Colombia

Benefits

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!