Supply Chain Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-106680

Assignment Title:

Supply Chain Advisor

Partner:

Kantala (Pvt ) Ltd.

Country:

Sri Lanka

Duration:

4 to 12 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about supporting local, Sri Lankan artisans? Do you have experience working with supply chains? If so, this might be the role for you!

As the Supply Chain Advisor supporting WUSC’s partner organization Kantala in Colombo, Sri Lanka, you will research and develop a comprehensive strategy that improves logistics and operations such as fulfilling demand, driving customer value, improving responsiveness, facilitating financial success and building a good network.

Apply today to support and improve the livelihoods of local artisans in Sri Lanka!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Understand Kantala’s business model and collaborate to design a supply chain which meets capacity, operations, financial targets, and quality control requirements
• Support partner staff to identify the most suitable locations for supply chain components that need to be set up and managed internally 
• Assist in developing an action plan for the implementation of the proposed supply chain process by identifying functions, roles, responsibilities, costs, risks and mitigation, performance indicators and implementation timelines as well as recommend corrective measures based on performance for the purpose of monitoring progress
• Ensure gender sensitive and social inclusion implementation of activities
• Contribute towards partner organizations green programming goals when designing new processes
• 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

• Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management,Business Administration or a related field 
• Minimum two (2) years relevant professional experience in your field of expertise
• Previous experience in supply chain management, project management, and sustainability to stay updated on industry trends and best practices
• Skills and ability to assess and mitigate risks associated with supply chain processes
• 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. Here is the 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
• COVID-19 PCR testing
• 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.