Program and Volunteer Support Advisor | Sri Lanka

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Assignment Type: Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements: Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID: VA-106983

Assignment Title: Program and Volunteer Support Advisor

Partner: WUSC Sri Lanka

Country: Sri Lanka

Duration: 4 to 5 months

Time Commitment: Full time Assignment Context

Are you passionate about improved economic opportunities for youth, women and marginalized communities globally? Do you have volunteer management or human resources experience to share?

As the Program and Volunteer Support Advisor with WUSC Sri Lanka, you will support the WUSC Sri Lanka team to engage and support international volunteers in Sri Lanka. You will contribute to ensure consistency, responsiveness, quality and best practices in volunteer engagement and support. You will also provide support to general program planning and activities for effective delivery of the WUSC IGNI+E volunteer cooperation program.

Apply today to contribute to an impactful volunteer cooperation program in Sri Lanka!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support WUSC country staff in providing personal and professional guidance to volunteers for contributing to Volunteer Cooperation Programme goals (e.g. knowledge sharing opportunities, skill sharing opportunities across partners)
• Support WUSC country staff with the coordination of country orientation for volunteers and volunteer management training for local partners
• Support and advise the WUSC country staff on best practices in the volunteer integration process and ongoing volunteer engagement
• Update volunteers on safety and security protocols
• Support WUSC country staff in the preparation of immigration documents for volunteers, including visas, residence, and employment permits
• Provide support with program communications, including social media, newsletters, and case studies, as required
• Support country office staff in other program related activities, as required.
• Closely work with volunteers to ensure gender sensitive and social inclusion implementation of activities

• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or after the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers will also have to report on each of their public engagement activities through our Volunteer Information Portal. Virtual chats and individual check-ins can be booked with the Senior Public Engagement Officer throughout the course of their assignment and up to 2 years after to seek guidance and support with their public engagement activities
• Canadian volunteers are required to do at least one activity that contributes to meeting a fundraising target of $1,500. The minimum requirement is met by each volunteer using our Volunteer Information Portal to report having sent one message to their network about their volunteer assignment that includes the link to the WUSC Shared Impact Fund webpage. This message also counts as one of their three required public engagement activities. Volunteers will be supported with the tools, training, and support to achieve the fundraising goal
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree, qualification and/or training in human resources, volunteer management, social sciences, or a related discipline
• Experience in volunteer or employee management
• Experience in coaching, mentoring, facilitation and/or training
• Minimum two (2) years relevant professional experience in your field of expertise
• A commitment to gender equality, youth inclusion, and international volunteering
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development considered an asset
• Experience living and working internationally considered an asset
• Written and oral fluency in English.

Project Description

Volunteering for development is one of the important ways in which WUSC pursues its mission. The IGNI+E project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, supports over 70 partner organizations to advance gender equality and the economic empowerment of 1.2 million youth around the world. IGNI+E harnesses the knowledge, capacity and expertise of skilled Canadians through volunteer assignments and public engagement activities to assist partners in improving their performance, advocating for gender equality, and implementing more sustainable, innovative and inclusive initiatives and services for poor and marginalised youth, particularly young women. Overseas, our volunteers collaborate with a wide variety of partners, including enterprise and social enterprise development incubators, skills training centres, women’s organizations, and youth groups. In Canada, WUSC works with institutions and individuals to identify, prepare, and support volunteers who travel overseas to support our partners. Our network in Canada also works with WUSC to raise awareness among Canadians to inspire greater action on global development issues. Our collective focus is on sustainable and inclusive changes to create a better world for youth.

Partner Description

WUSC Sri Lanka is a NGO that has been working in Sri Lanka over the last three decades engaged in youth education and economic opportunities as well as women development. WUSC Sri Lanka has engaged Canadian volunteers through the Volunteer Cooperation Program throughout this period and implemented its program through local partners. The WUSC Sri Lanka Team has built strong relationships with local NGOS, CSOs, communities, ministries and government departments over time. In addition to the Volunteer Cooperation Program (2020-2028), WUSC Sri Lanka is also implementing the Growth, Resilience, Investment and Training project GRIT project (2022-2029).

Support Package

• Support and guidance from the WUSC Volunteer Mobilization Team prior to departure and from WUSC Country Team while on assignment
• Pre-departure training to learn about the volunteering for development program, gain practical skills for living and working in an intercultural context and network with other volunteers
• In-country orientation upon arrival in country of assignment
• Language training in country of assignment, where required
• Modest monthly living and accommodation allowance
• Airfare to and from the assignment country
• Visa/work permit
• Pre-departure medical exam
• Health insurance
• Vaccinations and antimalarial medication
• Criminal record verification
• Vacation leave entitlement
• Debriefing after completion of assignment
• An incredible opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to global development, enhance your professional skills and participate in an experience of a lifetime!