Partnerships and Grants Development Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107516

Assignment Title:

Partnerships and Grants Development Advisor

Partner:

Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC

Country:

Sri Lanka

Duration:

4 to 6 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full-time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about building innovative partnerships to drive social and environmental impact? Do you have the skills to design and mobilize funding for initiatives that enhance livelihoods, gender equality, and community well-being?

As the Partnerships and Grants Development Advisor with Talawakelle Tea Estates PLC in Talawakelle, Sri Lanka, you will support one of Sri Lanka’s leading tea companies in strengthening its sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs. Your expertise will help identify partnership opportunities, develop grant proposals, and enhance systems for project implementation and donor reporting, to advance women’s empowerment, youth employment, environmental conservation, and community development in plantation communities. 

Apply today to bridge private-sector innovation with meaningful social impact and community resilience in Talawakelle, Sri Lanka!

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support Talawakelle Tea Estates to develop a corporate partnerships and resource mobilization strategy, identifying new grant and collaboration opportunities with local and international donors
• Assist in the design and packaging of proposals that align with the company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and sustainability goals
• Strengthen internal systems for partnership management, monitoring, and impact reporting to enhance donor and stakeholder confidence
• Build staff capacity in proposal writing, donor communication, and project management to ensure long-term institutional sustainability
• Facilitate linkages with development agencies, private foundations, and corporate partners for co-funded projects in livelihoods, climate action, and gender equality.

• 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 degree in International Development, Business Administration, Public Policy, or a related field (Masters preferred)
• Minimum two (2) years of progressive experience in partnerships development, grant management, or corporate sustainability
• Proven track record in mobilizing funding from bilateral donors, foundations, or corporate social investment programs
• Strong understanding of (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ESG frameworks, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) models, and private-sector engagement in development
• Excellent communication, proposal writing, and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated ability to work across corporate and development sectors.
• Experience in capacity building or mentoring teams on partnership development and donor relations is 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

Talawakelle Tea Estate PLC (TTEPLC) is a subsidiary of Hayleys, that produces and markets teas, while aiming to drive sustainable growth by contributing to the conservation of the environment. Learning and development is a vital component of the company’s human capital development agenda. The dynamic environment in which the company operates requires that it proactively anticipates future competencies in order to sustain the HR strategy. Therefore, it is essential to harness the potential of the organization’s people by training and developing their skills to better manage challenges and boost operations. To determine optimum levels of productivity and optimize the use of resources, TTEPLC regularly reviews the competencies of the work-force in an effort to improve the alignment of employee skills with strategic requirements and to build a culture of exceptional performance.Field Condition in TalawakelleTalawakelle, like much of Nuwara Eliya, is known for its cool climate due to its elevation. While some expats may enjoy the cooler temperatures, others may find it challenging, particularly if they are not accustomed to cooler or misty weather.Rural areas in Sri Lanka, including Talawakelle, have basic infrastructure compared to urban centers. Access to amenities, reliable internet, and healthcare facilities is limited. It’s essential to be prepared for a simpler lifestyle. Public transportation options are also limited. Although most of the WUSC volunteers being based in Colombo and some volunteers who are based outside of Colombo may find rural assignments more isolating. Talawakelle have a predominantly local population, and expats may encounter cultural differences. Learning about and respecting local customs and traditions is crucial for a smoother integration into the community.

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!

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.