E-volunteer oppertunity -Ukraine 

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Location:  Canada This is a e-volunteer assignment. Applicants must be  Canadian citizens or a permanent resident.
Start Date:  Exact timing will be negotiated with the successful candidate.
Duration:  5-10 months, flexible 
Language Requirement: English (mandatory) Ukrainian (would be an asset)
Deadline: Until fulfillment.

The Project Background
The SEW Ukraine project is funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) that helps to foster economic prosperity for 2200 vulnerable women in various regions of Ukraine. The project addresses the barriers of internally displaced person (IDP) women that have limited their full and meaningful participation in the Ukraine workforce. Specifically, women who have been internally displaced by conflict and other traumatic events in Ukraine. The project will facilitate the development of trade and business skills, and market opportunities in apparel manufacturing.The e-volunteer will work on the Supporting Economic Prosperity for Women and Internally Displaced Persons in Ukraine project (SEW Ukraine).

The project also supports women-owned/managed MSMEs in the garment industry ecosystem to enhance their competitiveness and sustainability through formation of co-operatives and increased business collaboration within the light industry.  

The Partner you will work with
The e-volunteer will be involved in communicating with one or a few of the co-operatives of the SEW Ukraine project. In addition, the e-volunteer will be in communication from time to time with the SEW Ukraine team members in-country and in Canada.
 
The e-volunteer may engage with other volunteers of the project to share ideas and measure the impact in an effective, efficient, sustainable, and accountable manner. The focus will be to maximize the development impact of the project in various aspects while taking into consideration the time of the e-volunteer.

Objectives
The e-volunteer is expected to provide technical guidance in enabling the MSME’s to execute developmental tasks in the product life cycle from conceptualization through development to production in accordance with the quality standards required by the target markets. 
The Garment Product Development Specialist will support the SEW Ukraine project in assessing gaps and opportunities in Ukraine's garment industry market and develop a strategic document. The document will include a strategy, implementation work plan, and a business plan for the co-op's product development functions. The aim is to strengthen the co-op's capacity to become sustainable in the ways in which it executes developmental tasks and produce high-quality garments that meet the target market's requirements.

Deliverables
•    Analyze the garment supply chain in Ukraine in connection to the SEW Ukraine project's partner MSMEs and co-op members. 
•    Conduct research to identify gaps and opportunities in the supply chain related to product development.
•    Provide technical guidance and expertise to MSME’s in developing products that meet the quality standards required by the target markets
•    Assist in the development of a business plan for product development within the co-op, considering traditional and online channels for sales

Your qualifications
Education

•    Degree in business development/management, textile design, fashion management, merchandise and production management, apparel production technician, design or closely related disciplines.

Experience
•    Progressive work experience in the fashion or textile industry specifically in product development
•    Good understanding of and practical use of various communication platforms especially social media handles. Be able to use online meeting platforms such as Zoom and MS Teams.
•    Knowledge and experience in the development of garment product development strategies with small, medium businesses
•    Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to engage varied stakeholders.
•    Strong oral and written communication skills in the English language. 
•    Should be a proactive self-starter with the ability to work independently; and complete tasks 
•    Strong knowledge and experience in developing training and resource materials as well as facilitation of trainings to various stakeholders and partners in development work

Support Package
This is an e-volunteer assignment. CDF Canada supports volunteers through the provision of a small stipend acknowledgement at the end of the volunteer assignment.
•    Interpreter and/or translator (if needed during volunteer online sessions).
•    CDF staff support and orientation
•    Debriefing upon completion of the assignment.

Engaging Canadians 
CDF Canada provides technical and logistical support to young and experienced professionals through volunteer assignments to apply and acquire new skills and knowledge in international co-operative development. We ask each volunteer, regardless of their volunteer assignment, to share their experience during their assignment. The experience can be shared by providing stories of human interest and photographs that can be used for social media outreach; Participate in events/conferences or other public engagement activities to share their experience to motivate others.

Application Process
Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume, by applying directly on our recruitment webpage. You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Successful candidates will be required to obtain a police-check from their local police or RCMP detachment. All applicants are thanked for their interest in CDF Canada; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.