Company Profile

WUSC is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion for youth around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. WUSC currently works in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $40 million. We have over 90 staff in our Canadian office, and over 200 people overseas implementing 16 development projects in collaboration with donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the MasterCard Foundation, and the African Development Bank.

Job Description

Are you an experienced global development professional? Do you believe in sustainable and inclusive changes to create a better world for youth? WUSC is currently looking for a Senior Program Officer to support our Volunteer Cooperation Program in Accra, Ghana.

Volunteering for development is one of the important ways in which WUSC pursues its mission. WUSC’s Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) has ambitious targets to mobilize hundreds of skilled Canadian volunteers each year to support partners in developing countries where we are working to advance gender equality and facilitate economic opportunities for poor and marginalized young people, especially young women and refugees. Overseas, our volunteers collaborate with a wide variety of partners, including enterprise and social enterprise development incubators, skills training centres, enterprises, 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 for various durations of time. 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.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, VCP (GHANA), the Senior Program Officer provides support to partners and volunteers in pursuit of the VCP’s target results.The SPO will be responsible for supporting the partner capacity strengthening for youth and women's economic opportunities through partnering with the WUSC Canada volunteer mobilization team to recruit, prepare, support and performance manage volunteers in their volunteer assignments.. She/he shall ensure results-based management approach (planning, activities monitoring and results reporting) and shall support the Program Manager in the program implementation related responsibilities.

 Volunteer mobilization and support

• As the primary relationship holder with VCP Volunteers, collaborate with the Volunteer Mobilization team and partners to develop, revise, finalize and adjust volunteer assignment descriptions, and input to Salesforce. Collaborate with the Recruitment Officer to match volunteers to assignments and obtain partner acceptance.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Mobilization Team on the preparation of the volunteers in the pre-departure process and in the pre-arrival logistics including visa, work permit, flight arrival logistics etc.
• In collaboration with partners, program support volunteers and the Program Manager, implement procedures to support volunteers upon their arrival in Ghana and for their entire stay in the country (in-country orientation, housing, security, living and working conditions, personal and professional support, performance management etc) with consideration for how conditions may affect women and men (and other identify factors) differently.
• Collaborate with the Administrative Officer to obtain the required Visa and work permit and that they are valid for the duration of their assignment(s)
• Support volunteers to develop their work plan and approve them, conduct regular volunteer check-ins, tripartite meetings with partners and volunteers, and volunteer exit interviews
• Organize appropriate partner and volunteer training/orientation sessions
• Support and supervise office-based volunteer assignments (eg PVSA, M&E, Communications, etc).
• Support volunteers to apply and utilize their assignment activity fund budget

 Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Support Program Manager, In close collaboration with local partners, in the timely collection of data and preparation of annual reports, in accordance with the Program guidelines, including the documentation of Stories of Change.
• Support the Program Manager to ensure the documentation of results and good practices and the generation of content and knowledge, with the goal of the communication and dissemination thereof, both internally and externally.
• Integrate gender equality and youth inclusion strategies in the implementation of interventions, and ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the gender equality and youth inclusion results.
• Utilize social media and other knowledge sharing and networking platforms to increase visibility of the VCP and its partners, as well as for the results achieved.
• As required, in collaboration with partners, the completion of a participatory environmental impact assessment, as per Global Affairs Canada and in-country requirements, and the Program’s own guidelines.

 Partnership development and support

• Support the Program Manager to develop and implement the Ghana VCP Annual Work Plan
• Support the Program Manager and local partners to conduct partner needs assessments and capacity strengthening plans in order to achieve expected program results in Ghana.
• Support local partners in identifying areas where they need support and assist them in translating needs into realistic volunteer assignment descriptions.
• Facilitate partner collaboration and encourage synergy by supporting PM to plan and coordinate  planning and coordinating the biannual Partner Forum and Program Advisory Committee meetings.
• Promote the establishment of agreements with local partners and volunteers.
• Support partners to apply for the Partner Innovation Fund
• All other related tasks, as required.

Required Skills or Experience

Education

•  A university degree in a relevant discipline (international development, economic development, business development or development studies) or equivalent years of professional experience.

Experience & Competencies

• Five years of experience in development programs that support the economic development sector, youth entrepreneurship or business services development.
• Relevant experience in providing support to international volunteers.
• Relevant experience utilizing a capacity strengthening approach with local partners.
• Relevant experience in needs analysis, capacity building and training.
• Relevant experience in budget management.
• Knowledge of economic development policies and strategies in Ghana, particularly in relation to economic development, entrepreneurship, employability, and vocational and technical training.
• Work experience in an intercultural context.
• Proficiency with information technologies and in computer skills (Word, Excel, Google Drive/Docs/Gmail, Salesforce etc.)
• Adherence to gender equality approach and social inclusion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages: Complete fluency in English is required.