Eco-Tourism and Climate Resilience Advisor | Sri Lanka | Volunteer Internationally

Assignment Type: Canadian International Volunteer

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

Assignment ID: VA-107279

Assignment Title: Eco-Tourism and Climate Resilience Advisor

Partner: Lanka Jathika Sarvodaya Shramadana Sangamaya (Inc.)

Country: Sri Lanka

Duration: 4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment: Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about sustainable tourism and building community resilience to climate change? Do you have skills in environmental conservation, community engagement, or sustainable development to share?

As an Eco-Tourism and Climate Resilience Volunteer with Sarvodaya in Colombo, Sri Lanka, you will play a vital role in developing eco-friendly tourism initiatives while supporting local communities in adapting to environmental challenges. Your efforts will directly contribute to sustainable development, leaving a lasting impact on both people and the planet.

Apply today to advance gender equality and social inclusion in Sri Lanka while making a meaningful contribution to environmental sustainability!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of eco-tourism initiatives that promote sustainable livelihoods and environmental conservation
• Conduct community consultations and field research to assess local needs, tourism potential, and climate resilience opportunities
• Collaborate with local partners, government agencies, and private sector actors to strengthen sustainable tourism networks and practices
• Develop communication materials, case studies, and reports to showcase project outcomes and support advocacy or fundraising efforts
• Facilitate capacity-building sessions for community members on sustainable resource management, gender equality, and inclusive tourism practices
• Participate in pre-assignment training
• Participate in at least 3 public engagement initiatives with Canadian audiences before, during, or within 6 months after the end of the assignment. Volunteers will be equipped with the tools, training, funds, and support to achieve these goals. Volunteers must also 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 during the 6 months following its completion 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 resources to achieve the fundraising goal.
• Submit reports as required by the partner organization and by WUSC.

Experience and Qualifications

• Degree and/or training social sciences or environmental sciences or a related field
• Minimum two years relevant professional experience in the field of environmental and climate resilience.
• 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

Sarvodaya is Sri Lanka’s most broadly embedded community-based development organization network. Sarvodaya works with 25 district centres, 325 divisional centres and over 3,000 legally independent village societies in districts across the country, including the northern and eastern provinces. Key programmes include income generation, microfinance, youth programs, and internally displaced youth.

Support Package

• Support and guidance from the WUSC Volunteer Mobilization Team prior to departure and from the 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!