Strategic Planning Advisor | Sri Lanka

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

Are you passionate about advancing impactful change and expanding opportunities for communities? Do you have the expertise in strategic planning to help drive transformative growth? If so, this could be the perfect assignment for you!

As the Strategic Planning Advisor with Sevalanka Foundation in Colombo, Sri Lanka, you will support the foundation in developing a comprehensive, sustainable strategic plan to amplify its mission to improve the livelihoods of the most marginalized communities.

Apply today to have an impact on sustainable community development in Sri Lanka!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Design a sustainable growth plan to enhance Sevalanka’s mission, building team capacity in long-term strategy management
• Support Sevalanka in creating a comprehensive strategic plan to advance its goals in sustainable development and community support
• Establish frameworks for assessing and tracking project impact
• Integrate approaches that support women-led initiatives, promoting gender equity in strategic goals. Ensure that strategic plans prioritize gender equality and community inclusivity and the strategic goals address diverse needs of rural and marginalized communities
• Embed eco-friendly practices into strategic plans, supporting Sevalanka’s commitment to environmental sustainability
• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives before, during, or after the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers will also have one virtual check-in with the Public Engagement Officer throughout the course of their assignment
• Set up a personalized volunteer fundraising page on the WUSC fundraising platform and share it in your networks. 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 in business, international development or related field
• Proven expertise in creating and implementing long-term organizational strategies
• Experience with developing frameworks for assessing project impact and effectiveness
• Skilled in training or mentoring teams to independently manage strategic goals
• Knowledge of gender-inclusive and environmentally sustainable planning practices is an asset
• 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

The Seva Lanka Foundation is a non governmental organization which was established 31 years ago. They have worked primarily with the most marginalized communities and have operations in 22 of the 25 districts in Sri Lanka. Their main focus is development aid and through its partners and associated stakeholders, Sevalanka gained its vast expertise and experience from conducting humanitarian operations in the field of poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, nutrition and food security, agriculture and fisheries support services, psychosocial support, revival of dying culture traditions, micro credit, supporting social enterprises and market linkages for community products.

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!