Senior Program Officer, Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) at World University Service of Canada

Partnership development and support

• Lead the development of program intervention strategies in selected subsectors, identifying long and short term partners.
• Support local partners and volunteers in developing needs assessments and capacity building plans in order to identify and achieve expected program results in Uganda.
• Support local partners in identifying areas where they need support and assist them in translating needs into realistic volunteer mandates.
• Facilitate the establishment of partner committees and encourage collaboration and synergy among their members.
• Promote the establishment of agreements with local partners and, in certain cases, between in-country partners and Canadian partners.
• Support partners and volunteers in identifying and securing financing to ensure the ongoing sustainability of Program activities.
• Develop linkages with private sector companies of interest in relation to the development of inclusive markets.

Volunteer mobilization and support

• In collaboration with local partners, program support volunteers and the Program Manager, implement procedures to support volunteers to gain entry and upon arrival in Kenya and for their entire stay in the country (Visas, housing, security, living and working conditions, end of contract issues and emergency medical evacuations) with consideration for how conditions may affect women and men differently.
• Participate in the recruitment process for Global South volunteers.
• Organize appropriate training/orientation sessions, taking into account the specifics of each mandate, in preparation for the arrival of North-South volunteers and the departure of South-North volunteers.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• In close collaboration with local partners, ensure the timely preparation of annual work plans and reports, in accordance with the Program’s management guidelines.
• By encouraging the active participation of partners and volunteers at all phases of the project cycle, coordinate the implementation of the VCP program’s approach to improve organizational performance, advocate for gender equality, and implement more sustainable, innovative, and inclusive initiatives and services for poor and marginalized young women.
• Utilize social media and other knowledge sharing and networking platforms to increase visibility of the program and its partners, as well as for the results achieved.
• 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.
• Encourage the development and utilization of the sector’s best practices and evidence-based techniques and mobilize the contributions of partners and volunteers.
• 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.
• 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.
• All other related tasks, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• A university degree in a relevant discipline (international development, economic development, business development or development studies) or equivalent years of professional experience.
• Five years of experience in development programs that support the economic development sector, entrepreneurship or business services development.
• Relevant experience in providing support to international volunteers.
• Relevant experience in developing partnerships and networks.
• Relevant experience in needs analysis, capacity building and training.
• Relevant experience in budget management.
• Knowledge of economic development policies and strategies in Uganda, 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, 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.