Strategic Planning and Organizational Development Advisor | Sri Lanka | Canadian International Volunteer

Assignment Type: Canadian International Volunteer

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

Assignment ID: VA-107281

Assignment Title: Strategic Planning and Organizational Development Advisor

Partner: Institute for Development of Community Strengths (INDECOS)

Country: Sri Lanka

Duration: 4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment: Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about enhancing women's economic empowerment? Do you have experience in strategic planning, governance, or organizational development?

As the Strategic Planning & Organizational Development Advisor for the Institute for Development of Community Strengths (INDECOS) in Matara, Sri Lanka, you will help develop a strategic plan, enhance governance and succession structures, and strengthen organizational systems for greater efficiency. Your work will enable INDECOS to deliver programs effectively and maximize its impact in communities

Apply today to contribute to organizational sustainability and community empowerment in Matara, Sri Lanka!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Review and assist in implementing the strategic plan with INDECOS’s mission, vision, and evolving external environment
• Review and strengthen governance structures, board roles, and accountability frameworks to ensure transparency and effectiveness
• Support leadership transition planning, including talent pipeline development and systems for sustainable leadership renewal
• Strengthen internal policies, operational frameworks, and management practices to improve efficiency and accountability
• Identify and cultivate local and international partnerships and funding opportunities to diversify revenue streams
• Mentor INDECOS’s leadership and staff on strategic management, governance practices, and sustainability planning
• Ensure that an gender equality and social inclusion lens is consistently applied in the execution of all activities
• 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

• A degree in Organizational Development, Business Administration, Social Sciences, International Development, or a related field (Master’s preferred)
• Minimum two (2) years in strategic planning, governance, or organizational capacity building, ideally within civil society or non-profit organizations
• Strong understanding of governance frameworks, succession planning, and institutional sustainability
• Demonstrated experience in strengthening organizational systems, including HR, finance, and program management
• Familiarity with South Asian or Global South development contexts, particularly in Sri Lanka, considered an asset
• Flexibility, adaptability, excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity
• Experience with group facilitation and trainings, including content development considered an asset
• A commitment to gender equality, youth inclusion, and international volunteering
• 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

Institute for Development of Community Strengths (INDECOS) aims to improve the quality of life of community members through capacity building, participatory, and gender equity approaches through the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. INDECOS achieves this objective through practical skills development programs, education programs and awareness raising on important topics; particularly those that help address social and economic problems. Sustainable and running as a microcredit program, INDECOS serves women, children, youth, persons with disabilities and many vulnerable target populations. Transparencies, quality of work and accountability are major features of INDECOS. They have projects in water sanitation to supply water tanks across the community, women’s entrepreneurship, and care packages with basic household items to help support natural disaster-stricken communities.

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!