Senior Officer, HR & Administration, Pan-Africa at World University Service of Canada

The Senior Regional HR & Administration Officer, Pan-Africa safeguards people, workplace, and administrative standards across a diverse, multi-country operating context. The role will coordinate, and ensure quality assurance across the HR and administration lifecycle, including workplace administration and compliance, to ensure processes are legally sound, audit-ready, and aligned with WUSC policies and values. Positioned within the Operations Unit, the role works closely with Operations and Program teams and reports to the Head of Operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

HR Lifecycle 

• Coordinate the administration of the full employee lifecycle for local, regional staff and independent contractors ensuring high-quality support from recruitment through to offboarding;
• Coordinate recruitment and onboarding for staff and consultants, aligning mobilization timelines with project milestones and program needs;
• Support consistent and fair application of HR and administrative policies, in line with applicable employment laws and internal policies.
• Ensure all staff undergo safeguarding training

Compliance & Quality Assurance

• Execute rigorous quality checks on employment contracts, service agreements, and administrative documentation prior to final execution;
• Champion full adherence to WUSC policies and local labor regulations, maintaining a culture of transparency, accountability, and constant audit readiness;
• Collaborate with the Head of Operations to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate operational and compliance risks within the HR function;
• Ensure data management in strict compliance with internal policies, international data protection standards and local laws

Office Management & Operational Excellence

• Synchronize office management, facility services, and security protocols to ensure physical and digital environments are inclusive, accessible, and safe for all staff and visitors;
• Monitor administrative performance and office utility, implementing refinements that enhance the overall "user experience" for the team while maintaining cost-effectiveness;
• Drive consistency and efficiency in administrative processes, ensuring that administrative processes effectively support project implementation.
• Conduct regular risk assessments and safety audits to maintain a high standard of workplace security and compliance.

Collaboration & Thought Partnership

• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by providing technical feedback on administrative workflows to ensure they remain lean, transparent, and aligned with project goals;
• Engage as a resource and collaborative partner for the operations team, sharing functional expertise to support team members navigate complex administrative challenges and streamline unit-wide processes;
• Work horizontally alongside other senior officers to identify operational bottlenecks and co-create practical, compliant solutions that improve service delivery for the whole team;
• Serve as a thought partner to the Operations Coordinator and Officers, providing guidance that fosters consistency and professional growth across the HR and Admin function;
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by providing technical feedback on administrative workflows to ensure they remain lean, transparent, and aligned with project goals.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred;
• 7+ years of progressive experience in HR and office operations, preferably within the international development sector and multi-country programs;
• In-depth knowledge of regional labor laws, HR best practices, and donor compliance standards;
• Proven experience providing operational supervision in cross-cultural and multi-country contexts;
• Exceptional writing, negotiation, and communication skills in English; professional proficiency in French is a strong asset;
• Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to work independently and collaboratively in fast-paced environments;
• Commitment to WUSC’s mission of supporting displaced and refugee youth, ensuring programs are delivered effectively, ethically, and transparently;
• Membership in a recognized national or regional HR or professional management association is a strong asset.