Senior Program Officer - Complementary Pathways at World University Service of Canada

Specific Roles and responsibilities
The Senior Program Officer will primarily be focused on the HIRES project, with some support to the SRP as and when needed. The SPO is a matrix-managed position, with task management relating to the HIRES project activities provided by the Senior Program Officer based in Canada, and general HR management by Kenya Senior Operations Manager.

The HIRES Senior Project Officer will be responsible for the following:

Project implementation

• Lead on coordinating the HIRES selection process, including liaising with UNHCR and local authorities for final verifications for the current cohort; and launching the call for applications, shortlisting, coordinating interviews and selection for future cohorts;
• Travel to Kakuma and/or Dadaab refugee camp during the HIRES or SRP selection process and to provide follow-up support to the selected cohort;
• Provide direct support to selected HIRES candidates with the completion of Canadian immigration forms and preparation for the employment matching process;
• Organize logistics for various project activities including convening selected HIRES candidates for group and individual activities (i.e. pre-departure training program in Kenya and pre-departure orientation sessions for HIRES candidates with WUSC Canada)
• Organize travel logistics for WUSC Kenya and WUSC Ottawa staff members;
• Respond to project beneficiary communications and community leader inquiries; and
• Coordinate planning with project stakeholders in various locations including Nairobi, and Kakuma and Dadaab refugee camps;
• Participate in regular meetings with WUSC Kenya and WUSC Ottawa team as and when needed;
• Provide input to budget development and ensure the tracking and reporting of project expenditures, in collaboration with the WUSC Kenya finance officer; and all other related tasks, as required.

External representation:

• Lead on communication with relevant authorities and high-level partners in Kenya on matters related to current project implementation and initiation of new projects (i.e. UNHCR, Canadian and American Embassies, etc.),
• Lead on representing WUSC Kenya at relevant forum related to complementary pathways programs, and providing information and updates on the WUSC’s complementary pathways programs to other stakeholders.

Experience and competencies:

• Degree completion in a related field
• Knowledge of the refugee context in Kenya
• 5-7 years of professional experience ideally in the NGO sector, humanitarian sector, refugee sector, including resettlement and complementary pathways
• Strong communication, administrative and organizational skills
• Excellent skills in information technology, spreadsheets and PDF programs in particular
• Logistics and meeting planning experience
• Complete fluency, oral, and written in English is essential
• Willingness to travel within Kenya to various locations including Kakuma and/or Dadaab refugee camp
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality