Environment & Climate Change Advisor

Assignment Type:

Canadian International Volunteer

Eligibility Requirements:

Open to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada only

Assignment ID:

VA-107525

Assignment Title:

Environment & Climate Change Advisor

Partner:

WUSC Batticaloa

Country:

Sri Lanka

Duration:

6-12 months (flexible)

Time Commitment:

Full time

Assignment Context

Are you passionate about the Environment and Climate Change ? Do you have embedding environmental sustainability skills to share? If so, this might be the assignment for you!

As the Environment and Climate Change (ECC) Advisor  with WUSC Sri Lanka  in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka  you will support the integration of environmental sustainability and climate-conscious approaches in skills training. 

Apply today to have an impact in promoting green skills, environmental sustainability in Batticaloa, Sri Lanka !

Roles and Responsibilities

• Support the integration and monitoring of environmental and climate change considerations across project activities  including curriculum development, training programs, learning materials, or capacity-building initiatives
• Assist technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions, partners, and stakeholders to promote green skills, green jobs awareness, and environmentally sustainable practices
• Support documentation, learning, and sharing of ECC-related lessons, success stories, and environmental good practices within the project

• 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 and/or training in environmental sustainability, climate change or a related field
• Experience in integrating environmental sustainability and climate considerations within the skills development or TVET sector 
• Experience in environmental screening, environmental monitoring, reporting, documentation in relations to skills or TVET sector
• 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

The STRIVE project aims to improve the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) ecosystem in Sri Lanka’s Northern and Eastern provinces. Using a collaborative approach, the project will support TVET actors to enhance TVET programs to be more gender-responsive, market-relevant and in support of environmental sustainability. The project aims to increase participation of young people, particularly young women, in enhanced TVET and facilitate their transition to employment, towards increased economic prospects. The project will target sectors facing current and/or future skills gaps, with emphasis on the green economy.

Partner Description

WUSC Sri Lanka is a NGO that has been working in Sri Lanka over the last three decades engaged in youth education and economic opportunities as well as women development. WUSC Sri Lanka has engaged Canadian volunteers through the Volunteer Cooperation Program throughout this period and implemented its program through local partners. The WUSC Sri Lanka Team has built strong relationships with local NGOS, CSOs, communities, ministries and government departments over time. In addition to the Volunteer Cooperation Program (2020-2028), WUSC Sri Lanka is also implementing the Growth, Resilience, Investment and Training project GRIT project (2022-2029) and the Strengthening TVET Resilience and Inclusive Vocational Employment (STRIVE) project (2025 – 2030).

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.