Fundraising Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106973

Assignment Title:

Fundraising Advisor

Partner:

Kantala (Pvt ) Ltd.

Country:

Sri Lanka

Duration:

4 to 5 months

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about creating lasting change for marginalized communities? Do you have resource mobilization expertise to help organizations secure the funding they need to expand their impact and serve those in need? If so, this might be the assignment for you!

As the Fundraising Advisor with Kantala in Colombo, Sri Lanka, you will develop strategies to increase revenue, allowing Kantala to expand its reach and provide more women and youth with opportunities for skills development, economic independence, and empowerment through artisan programs. 

Apply today to make a difference in sustainable development and social entrepreneurship for women and youth in Sri Lanka!

Roles and Responsibilities

• In collaboration with Kantala’s Co-Founder, design a comprehensive fundraising plan that supports Kantala’s sustainability and growth
• Strengthen the capacity of Kantala's team in fundraising best practices, proposal writing, and donor engagement
• Work with the team to identify and develop new donor relationships to diversify Kantala’s funding base
• Integrate gender-responsive approaches in fundraising proposals to attract support for women-centered programs
• Encourage environmentally sustainable fundraising practices, such as digital campaigns to reduce paper use
• 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 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, 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

Kantala, meaning ‘Hana’ in Sanskrit, was born out of the passion of the two co-founding partners who aimed to create an enterprise dedicated to developing and protecting the ancient art of weaving Hana material. This traditional craft of Dumbara Hana mat weaving has a history spanning over 300 years. Kantala is compassionate and respectful to the environment and communities. Creating cooperatives for the artisan groups working with Kantala is central to the mission of economically, socially, and culturally empowering communities. Kantala worked with the chief artisan, to set up the Sri Lanka Dumbara Hana Weavers Association with 23 Artisans, 13 of whom are women. The Association covers artisans in both the Kandy and Matale districts. The handwoven hana material is brought to Colombo for the manufacture of bags and purses at the two workshops located in Wattala, Colombo District and Boralesgamuwa, Mawanella, Kegalle District. The products are marketed locally and overseas as high quality sustainable vegan handbags, using ethically sourced materials. Learn more on Kantala’s website https://www.kantalabrands.com/

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!

WUSC’s Safeguarding Policy

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion and sexual exploitation and abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to sign off on the WUSC Code of Conduct and the Self-Disclosure Form. International and national volunteers will also be required to submit a criminal record verification.

WUSC is a signatory to the Cooperation Canada Leaders’ Pledge on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct. The pledge represents the shared commitment as Canada’s global development and humanitarian leaders to ensure the full implementation of practices and policies that will protect and respond to our own staff, volunteers and the communities we serve. We are committed to creating safe and respectful workplaces and programs that promote gender equality and are free from gender-based violence, including by addressing and responding to all abuse of power, holding people to account, and protecting the vulnerable. Read the full pledge.