Higher Education Inclusion Officer at World University Service of Canada

Job Role

• Under the supervision of the Nairobi-Based Deputy Project Director, the Higher Education Inclusion Officer will work closely and in collaboration with the WUSC team in Kenya, the WUSC team based in Canada, and the Mastercard Foundation team.
• The Higher Education Inclusion Officer provides essential support to the DREEM project’s day to day operations. Working closely with the Senior Project Manager and the DREEM team, they will support in the coordination of various aspects of the project as outlined below:

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with DREEM team members to provide technical, programmatic, and coordination support to ensure the educational inclusion goals of the Mastercard Foundation under DREEM are met;
• Supports the Higher Education Inclusion Coordinator in providing capacity building support and technical advice to Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partners on refugee and displaced youth inclusion in higher education;
• Works closely with the DREEM Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer to track Scholars Program partner engagement and impact; 
• Supports in the coordination of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Inclusion Working Group;
• Supports in the development and dissemination of resources and delivery of training opportunities for Scholars Program partners;
• Identifies promising practices and ways to share learnings across the network;  
• Coordinates and supports the planning and implementation of outreaches and key convenings within the Higher Education Inclusion portfolio;
• In partnership with the DREEM Senior MERL Officer, supports MERL activities for the Higher Education Inclusion portfolio;
• Attend and participate in relevant internal and external events;
• Other duties as assigned.

Line Manager

• Deputy Project Director, DREEM

Qualifications:

• The ideal applicant will combine technical expertise in one or more of DREEM’s sectors (higher education, durable solutions for refugees, vocational and technical training, support to entrepreneurs and businesses), a familiarity with the East African refugee context, an ability to get things done, and strong organization, coordination, and communication skills.

Specific competencies:

• At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (International Development, Public Policy, International Relations, Refugee Studies);
• Two to three years of relevant working experience;
• Experience working on displacement issues in East Africa;
• Relevant experience on projects that promote inclusion for displaced/ refugee youth in tertiary or technical education;
• Experience providing technical support to partner organizations and a commitment to a participatory partnership approach to capacity development;
• Understanding of the higher education landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa;  
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, and knowledge of the specific constraints and realities of challenges faced by refugee and displaced groups;
• Complete fluency in English is essential, with the ability to write articulately and cogently, and to edit at a similarly high level;
• Fluency (or professional competencies) in French is strongly desired; 
• Strong planning, organization and problem-solving skills with ability to work hands-on, independently, and within team in a fast-paced work environment;
• Excellent interpersonal skills & demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations between programs & support;
• Commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.

Other requirements

• The headquarters of the DREEM project is located in Nairobi, Kenya; the officer is expected to be based on the African continent, and must already possess the relevant work authorizations in the country they are/will be residing in.
• The role may require travel to refugee communities across the continent with Scholars Program partners;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.