Fundraising 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-107028

Assignment Title: Fundraising Advisor

Partner: Centre for Women’s Research (CENWOR)

Country: Sri Lanka

Duration: 4 to 5 months

Time Commitment: Full-time

Assignment Context

As the Fundraising Advisor with CENWOR in Colombo, Sri Lanka, you will design and implement innovative fundraising approaches to support community development initiatives.

Apply today to make a meaningful impact in enhancing livelihoods and promoting social justice!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CENWOR team to create innovative fundraising strategies to support projects focused on women's empowerment and gender equality
• Support the team to identify potential funding sources, write grant proposals, and prepare detailed reports for donors
• Work collaboratively to enhance the skills of staff in resource mobilization and fundraising techniques and donor engagement
• Integrate gender-sensitive approaches in fundraising efforts to ensure inclusivity in all outreach initiatives
• Encourage eco-friendly practices in fundraising campaigns, aligning with CENWOR's commitment to sustainable development
• Foster partnerships with diverse community groups to expand CENWOR’s reach and impact

• 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 in business development, fundraising, marketing, nonprofit management, or a related field

• Proven experience in developing and executing successful fundraising strategies

• Strong skills in building and maintaining relationships with diverse donor groups

• Experience in training or mentoring teams in fundraising and resource mobilization is an asset

• Knowledge of gender-responsive and environmentally sustainable fundraising 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, Canadapacity 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

CENWOR was established in 1984 by a group of women from various professional backgrounds – academics, researchers and activists – out of concern for the scarcity in data that addressed the disadvantaged position of women. It is a leading research organisation on gender and women’s issues which has four programme areas designed to empower women – policy and action oriented research, training and awareness raising on gender issues, information dissemination on areas of critical concern to women, and advocacy and lobbying. Their projects both benefit the community directly while at the same time demonstrate their viability for up-scaling such projects. Here is CENWOR’s website: https://www.cenwor.lk/

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!