EWB Canada Job Openings
Auto Electrical Advisor – Heavy Moving Equipment (HME)
Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania .
volunteer . September 14, 2026
Description
Volunteer placement location: Moshi, Tanzania
Start Date: November 2026
Placement Length: 5 months
Language Requirements: English Level 4-Advanced
Please submit an English Resume and Statement of Interest
Eligibility: Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only
The Volunteer’s Role
Cuso International, in partnership with Engineers Without Borders Canada, is seeking a candidate interested in being part of the Volunteering Cooperation Program. As an Auto Electrical Advisor – Heavy Moving Equipment (HME), you will provide technical and advisory support to the Integrated Mining Technical Training (IMTT) Unit at VETA Moshi to strengthen the delivery of practical training in the electrical and electronic systems used in heavy moving equipment and light vehicles, with a particular focus on equipment used within the mining sector.
Working in collaboration with VETA Moshi under the SHARE Project, the Auto Electrical Advisor will support instructors to strengthen their technical and practical competencies in the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair of HME electrical and electronic systems. The volunteer will work closely with the HME department, complementing training in engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, gearboxes, differentials, braking systems, and other major HME components.
The Advisor will contribute to the development and improvement of practical training stations, training boards, simulators, and teaching modules that enable instructors and students to simulate real equipment conditions and systematically diagnose electrical and electronic faults. This will include strengthening practical learning in areas such as starting and charging systems, wiring, lighting systems, sensors, control circuits, batteries, alternators, starters, and basic electronic diagnostic systems found in heavy equipment and light vehicles.
Through coaching, practical demonstrations, mentoring, and knowledge transfer, the Advisor will strengthen the capacity of VETA Moshi instructors to deliver industry-relevant auto electrical training, particularly for HME used in mining operations. Occupational health and safety will be integrated throughout all training activities, with emphasis on developing a strong safety culture among instructors and students when working with electrical systems, machinery, tools, and heavy equipment.
If you’re ready to blend your expertise with meaningful volunteer work and help create a program with lasting national impact, we want to hear from you!
As a volunteer, your duties will include:
- Conduct training needs assessment for Auto Electrical systems within the HME Department, focusing on instructors and trainee’s competency gaps in electrical/electronic systems, wiring, diagnostics and fault finding.
- Develop and/or review practical Auto Electrical training modules for HME and light vehicles, ensuring alignment with current industry practices and equipment used in the mining sector.
- Develop practical training on electrical fundamentals, including batteries, starting and charging systems, alternators, starter motors, lighting systems, wiring and electrical circuits.
- Develop practical training in electronic systems, including sensors, switches, relays, control modules and other electronic components commonly used in modern HME.
- Establish and/or improve Auto Electrical training boards and simulation stations that can simulate electrical and electronic systems and common equipment faults.
- Develop practical training in electrical fault finding and diagnostics, including the use of multimeters, diagnostic equipment, wiring diagrams and other appropriate testing tools.
- Provide practical training on the electrical and electronic systems associated with HME engines, including engine starting, charging, monitoring and control systems.
- Build capacity in the instructors’ practical competencies through coaching, demonstrations, mentoring and hands-on training on HME and light vehicle Auto Electrical systems.
Essential Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Heavy Equipment Engineering, Mechatronics or related field.
Essential Background:
- Minimum 5 years of practical industry experience in maintenance, servicing, repair and diagnostics of heavy mobile equipment.
- Strong practical knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, transmissions/gearboxes, differentials/final drives and braking systems.
- Strong knowledge of electrical and electronic systems, including systematic fault diagnosis and troubleshooting.
- Experience using diagnostic equipment, service tools, technical manuals, schematics and manufacturer specifications.
- Demonstrated ability to diagnose engine, hydraulic, transmission and electrical faults.
- Experience in preventive maintenance, equipment inspection and maintenance planning.
- Ability to establish and/or improve practical HME training stations/workshops.
- Ability to transfer industry skills to instructors and trainees through coaching, demonstrations and hands-on practical training.
- Knowledge of occupational health and safety practices applicable to HME workshops and maintenance operations.
What’s in it for YOU? A life-changing experience!
About Us
Engineers Without Borders Canada is a social impact and global development organization rooted in the transformative power of engineering for good. For more than 25 years we have invested in people and mobilized a generation of engineers to tackle complex development challenges in Canada and Africa.
We connect the engineering community to opportunities around the world to contribute their skills, strengthen capacity and advance equitable, sustainable change.
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.
Learn more about the EWB Canada-Cuso International partnership and recruitment process at https://www.ewb.ca/en/get-involved/overseas-volunteer-opportunities/
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!