Pan-Africa Senior Manager, Refugee-led Organization Opportunity Fund at World University Service of Canada

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Fund Management

• Design and oversee the implementation of the RLO Opportunity Fund, including grant-making processes, eligibility criteria, and funding cycles.
• Develop and manage the fund’s budget, ensuring effective and compliant allocation of resources to RLOs.
• Ensure alignment of the Opportunity Fund with the initiative’s overall strategy and the donor’s RDP Strategy.

RLO Capacity Strengthening & Transition Support

• Work closely with the Training and Curriculum Development Specialist to design and deliver capacity-building programs for RLOs, including institutional development, financial management, MERL, and safeguarding.
• Support the systematic transition of TA delivery from WUSC staff to RLOs, in collaboration with the Head of the TA Mechanism and the Head of Higher Education Inclusion.
• Develop and manage a “Grants Plus” model, pairing financial support with tailored technical assistance to ensure RLO sustainability and growth.

Partnership & Ecosystem Engagement

• Identify, assess, and onboard RLO partners across target countries, ensuring diversity in geography, gender, disability, and thematic focus (including green/climate initiatives).
• Foster strong relationships with RLOs, the donor’s teams, and other ecosystem actors to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Represent the RLO Opportunity Fund in internal and external forums, advocating for refugee-led solutions and inclusive funding practices.

Monitoring, Learning & Adaptation

• In collaboration with the Lead, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Research (MERL), develop and implement a robust MERL framework for the Opportunity Fund, tracking RLO progress, impact, and readiness for TA provision.
• Facilitate learning exchanges, reflection sessions, and adaptive management processes to continuously improve fund delivery and RLO outcomes and to share best practices.
• With support from the MERL and Communications teams, document and disseminate success stories, lessons learned, and best practices related to RLO empowerment and funding models.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all RLO partnerships and fund disbursements adhere to WUSC and the donor’s compliance, safeguarding, and due diligence requirements.
• Mitigate risks related to RLO capacity, financial management, legal registration, and program delivery.
• World closely with the GESI and Safeguarding unit to ensure that all aspects of the Opportunity Fund are designed to effectively build collaborative, safe and equitable partnerships with RLOs;
• Promote ethical and inclusive practices in all aspects of fund management and partner engagement

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in grants management for local and community-based organizations and working within diverse African contexts.

• Advanced degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in program management, grant-making, or capacity-building, with at least 5 years focused on refugee/displacement contexts.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing funds or grant programs for local organizations, preferably refugee-led or community-based organizations.
• Strong understanding of the African RDP ecosystem, including challenges and opportunities related to education, livelihoods, and organizational development.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including donors, partners, and youth-led groups.
• Excellent strategic planning, financial management, and MERL skills.
• Fluency in English; professional proficiency in French is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build equitable partnerships with marginalized and community-led organizations
• Commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.