Program Officer, Eastern Africa at Cedar Consulting Ltd

Your Opportunity

The Program Officer uses in-depth knowledge of the Eastern Africa region, the higher education sector, employer engagement, understanding of student development, career, and professional development to design, deliver, and evaluate work related programs that support the professional and career development of our students. Reporting to the Program Manager, Africa Strategy in Canada, the Program Officer works closely with the Africa Health Collaborative Partners, OVPI Africa team, students, and employers in identifying opportunities for experiential learning, internships, and full-time jobs to students and alumni.

You will contribute towards the development and strengthening of an Africa-centric health ecosystem necessary to produce long lasting systems change. You will actively contribute to 3 key pillars: Health Employment, Health Entrepreneurship; and Health Ecosystem. Working closely with the U of T Canada team, you will facilitate partnerships that support a range of graduate programs; certificate and micro credential programs; faculty exchanges; research collaborations; leadership and fellowship programs; and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities.

Your Responsibilities Will Include

Participates in program development activities by:

• Serving as a regional resource to the Health Collaborative’s Secretariat, working closely with U of T divisions and leadership of OVPI and Centre for International Experience (CIE) portfolios.
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance.
• Liaising with the regional universities to foster collaboration.
• Fostering and maintaining a network of external contacts to support recruitment strategies.
• Researching and recommending new opportunities for external collaborations and partnerships.
• Researching and analyzing potential employers and recommending student placement opportunities.
• Liaising with contacts to determine site-specific placement requirements.
• Probing for information from employers to establish activities that best meet student learning needs, and deepens institutional understanding of the health sector in that region.
• Promoting programs at recruitment events.
• Supports the implementation of projects and programs in the region based on an approved workplan.

Conducts labour market research by:

• Analyzing data to determine trends and recommend target markets to partners.
• Conducting detailed labour market analysis to inform program and partnership development.
• Keeping well-informed on career development trends and best practices

Supports student employment, internships, and work-integrated learning activities by:

• Working with leadership, faculty and staff, provides guidance on the development of placement opportunities, program schedules, according to student preferences, employer opportunities, and preceptor availability.
• Developing partnerships that yield Africa based work integrated learning opportunities for African scholars studying at U of T and represent a range of learning opportunities in health ecosystem sectors.
• Keeping well-informed on best practices for developing student placement and work-integrated learning opportunities.
• Implementing plans that support the development of work opportunities for students.
• Evaluating and recommending appropriate work opportunities for students.
• Advising students on job search, university resources, industry research, and networking strategies including cover letter, resume and interview preparation.
• Disseminating information regarding recruitment dates, program requirements, and application procedures.
• Connecting students to mentors.

Supports communication and outreach activities by:

• Developing content for marketing and/or promotional materials.
• Determining logistical details and activities for events.
• Maintaining an appropriate electronic record of relevant documents related to events and programs in the designated U of T filing system.
• Conducting detailed regional and partner-specific analysis to inform management decision making.
• Liaising with Canada team to determine goals and priorities.
• Providing on-going support to the Secretariat, including liaising with partners preparing reference material, planning and arranging meetings.
• Representing the Secretariat by travelling to events and meetings as needed to support project activities.
• Engaging with key stakeholders to identify stories of impact.
• Attending and participating in advisory group meetings and staff meetings.
• Actively participating in and providing input into team meetings.
• Performing other related duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

• Master's degree, in a relevant discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum four (4) years experience in student services and business development.
• Demonstrated experience in developing partnerships with community, corporate, government or non-governmental sectors that yield learning opportunities for students.
• A background in higher education and public health would be an asset.
• Successful record of enhancing brand and reputation; international partnership development; industry relations or career development.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills.
• Experience in advising and coaching students on career and professional development.
• Demonstrated experience with student internship management and delivery.
• Demonstrated experience presenting recommendations through compelling business cases.
• Strong and proven political acuity and ability to navigate complex relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision in the absence of precedents and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to speak in public, and the ability to deal effectively with highly diverse internal and external stakeholders (international academic partners, wider public sector, global institutions, corporate sector, faculty, students, University's internal structures)
• Ability to work effectively in teams and to develop strong working relationships with students, faculty, staff, employers, and other community members.

To Be Successful in This Role You Will have These Competencies:

• Self-directed, organized, and a problem solver.
• Knowledge and awareness of the Indigenous African culture and youth issues in the region.
• Strong commitment to youth programmes and youth well-being.
• Knowledge of the current African indigenous organizations and ecosystem in the region.
• Interviewing (individual or focus groups)
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Networking and relationship building skills.
• Organizational skills including ability to prioritize.
• Coaching, learning design and training skills.
• Facilitation skills and ability to engage people in a collaborative way.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, ideation, proposal writing, and social media engagement.
• Open to working in a remote work environment within a distributed team.
• Flexible to travel to meet regional needs and dynamic program priorities