Current Vacancies at World University Service of Canada

The RDP Technical Specialists will be part of the Technical Assistance Mechanism (TAM) established under the project, which aims to strengthen the inclusion of refugee and displaced youth in education and employment across the initiative’s donor and its partners. The overall goal is to indirectly enable one million RDP youth to secure dignified and fulfilling work and 35,000 to access education through technical assistance. The RDP Technical Specialist is responsible for providing demand-driven and standardized technical assistance (TA) and expert guidance on Refugee and Displaced Persons (RDP) inclusion to donor staff and their implementing partners.

The RDP Technical Specialists will work under the direction of the Head of the Technical Assistance Mechanism to support the following objectives:

Technical Assistance Delivery

Provide expert technical assistance and guidance to donor staff and partners to co-develop strategies and action plans that mainstream RDP inclusion across their programs in a variety of thematic areas and geographies:

• Support in the co-creation of concept notes, review of EOIs, and the co-creation of proposals to provide a Refugee and Displaced Persons lens to the staff and partners of the donor in the development of new programming.
• Conduct Partner RDP inclusion assessments with donor partners, and develop and implement capacity-strengthening plans with assessed partners to promote RDP youth inclusion in the partners’ work.
• Support the donor’s country offices in the development of RDP-specific partnerships, engage relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the RDP strategy in Nigeria, WAEMU region, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda, and maintain relationships with donor staff and partners.
• Support donor team members and partners to feature RDP at events, including World Refugee Day, learning workshops, stakeholder convenings, and RDP youth meetings to share learnings on various RDP contexts.
• Enhance the capacity of the donor’s staff and partners to develop, test, and scale innovative programming that improves education and economic opportunities for RDP youth.
• Support a training-of-trainers (ToT) approach with donor RDP focal points, the Youth Technical Advisory Committee, and refugee led organizations (RLOs) to embed technical knowledge internally for long-term sustainability.

Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) Support

• Deliver demand-driven TA and institutional strengthening to RLOs to enhance their ability to design, implement, and sustain solutions for RDP access to education and dignified work.
• Strengthen RLOs' organizational and technical capacity so they can eventually provide RDP inclusion TA to donors and partner organizations.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Contribute to building knowledge of RDP contexts and barriers among Mastercard Foundation staff and partners through research, mapping, and analysis to inform more inclusive programming.
• Liaise with the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team to comprehensively track the quality and effectiveness of technical assistance delivery on partners and organizations.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

The ideal applicant will combine technical expertise in economic inclusion, strong familiarity with the displacement context in multiple geographies of focus, exceptional partnership management skills and relationships, an ability to get things done, and strong organization, coordination, and communication skills.

• At a minimum, a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (International Development, Project Planning and Management, Development Studies, Social Work, Public Policy, International Relations, Refugee Studies)
• A minimum of 7+ years of experience in development cooperation, technical assistance projects, education, and/or  youth employment in Nigeria, WAEMU region, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda or Uganda
• Relevant experience on projects that promote livelihoods and economic inclusion for displaced/ refugee youth; entrepreneur support within a refugee setting, tertiary or technical education for displaced/ refugee youth and young people with disabilities
• Understanding of market-based approaches to youth employment and livelihoods particularly in the context of refugees and displaced women and young people
• Experience providing technical support to development organizations and supporting multiple partners, particularly in program development and a commitment to a participatory partnership approach to capacity development;
• Deep knowledge of key issues and emerging trends and barriers in education and youth employment in Africa particularly in the context of refugee and displaced women and young people;
• Demonstrated commitment to social inclusion and knowledge of the specific constraints and realities of challenges faced by refugee and displaced groups;
• Adherence to gender equality and social inclusion principles; proven knowledge of and commitment to the concept of gender equality and intersectionality within programming;
• Complete fluency in English is essential, ability to write articulately and cogently, and to edit at a similarly high level;

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The Operations Coordinator, Pan-Africa, provides day-to-day, hands-on operational support and horizontal coordination across procurement, contracting, and logistics. The role actively tracks actions, follows up on deliverables, and maintains accurate, complete, and audit-ready documentation, working across the Operations team to ensure timely, responsive, and well-coordinated operational delivery. The Operations Coordinator, Pan-Africa reports to the Head of Operations.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Procurement & Contract Management

• Support the contracting lifecycle for consultants and service providers, ensuring rapid mobilization and smooth execution from initial documentation through to final signatures.
• Prepare and process complex procurement files ensuring all documentation is technically sound, compliant, and ready for senior-level approval.
• Serve as a primary coordination link for contractors and vendors, facilitating clear communication and timely follow-up.
• Coordinate the preparation of accurate and compliant payment documentation to support timely disbursements

Logistics & Event Operations

• Support the delivery of workshops, training's, and regional meetings by coordinating venues, accommodation, and logistical arrangements;
• Coordinate travel logistics for staff and partners, prioritizing safety, cost-effectiveness, and smooth end-to-end execution;

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Support office management functions, including service provision to facilities, administrative processes,office budget management and co working spaces to ensure cost-effective operations.
• Work cross-functionally with HR, Finance, program teams, and compliance functions to ensure operational activities are aligned, efficient, and audit-ready

Collaboration & Thought Partnership

• Engage as a supportive and collaborative partner for the entire operations team to solve administrative challenges and streamline unit-wide processes.
• Work alongside SRO and Officers to co-create practical, compliant solutions that improve service delivery;
• 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 Business Administration, Operations Management, Supply Chain, or a related field.
• 7+ years demonstrated experience in operations coordination, including support across procurement, contracting, and/or logistics functions.
• Relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in operations, procurement, logistics, business administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supporting operations functions, including coordination across procurement, contracting, and logistics.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills, with experience maintaining accurate, complete, and audit-ready records in regulated or donor-funded environments.
• Working knowledge of compliance requirements, internal controls, and operational processes.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, track actions, and support teams to meet operational timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong coordination, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work hands-on, independently, and collaboratively within a team.
• High attention to detail, sound judgement, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working in multi-country or partnership-based programmes and familiarity with digital tracking or document management systems is an advantage.
• Complete fluency in English is essential, with the ability to write clearly and edit to a high standard; fluency or professional working proficiency in French is an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.

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The Events and Logistics Officer, Pan-Africa, leads the delivery of regional and country-level events, workshops, and convenings that enable collaboration, knowledge exchange, and partnership across the program. The role contributes to leveraging shared assets and promoting learning among stakeholders to support scaled impact within the forced displacement sector.

Positioned within the Operations Unit, the Events and Logistics Officer, Pan-Africa works under the direction of the Senior Regional Events and Logistics Officer, Pan-Africa.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Event and Meeting Coordination:

• Support the planning, organization, and execution of both in-person and virtual meetings, workshops, and convenings aimed at promoting knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration;
• Assist in managing logistics for events designed to help WUSC broker connections across countries, partners, and programs to maximize collective impact;
• Coordinate with the Higher Education Inclusion and Technical Assistance Mechanism teams to support workshops and trainings for the 80+ stakeholders receiving tailored technical assistance.

RLO Engagement Support:

• Work with and support technical assistance colleagues to coordinate training events and workshops for the 60+ refugee led organizations across the African continent receiving institutional strengthening support.

Administrative and Communications Support:

• Assist in managing budgets, vendor relations, and contracts related to project events.
• Support the coordination of communication materials and follow-up activities to ensure learning and decisions from convenings are captured and disseminated to partners for action.

Collaboration & Thought Partnership

• Engage as a supportive and collaborative partner for the entire operations team to solve administrative challenges and streamline unit-wide processes.
• Work alongside SRO and Officers to co-create practical, compliant solutions that improve service delivery;
• 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.

Travel Logistics:

• Coordinate travel-related logistics for project staff and relevant stakeholders (Youth Advisory Board, consultants, partners) to include flights and ground transport as needed.
• Contribute to the delivery of high quality operational support within the unit.

Collaboration & Thought Partnership

• Work alongside peers to identify operational bottlenecks and co-create practical, compliant solutions that improve service delivery;
• 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 a related field such as business administration, development studies, or international relations.
• Alternatively, a Diploma in a relevant field with 7+ years of significant on-the-job professional experience and proven technical expertise in large-scale event coordination will be considered.
• Fluency in both English and French is mandatory, with demonstrated ability to write clearly, articulately, and cogently in both languages.
• Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder workshops, events, or learning networks, preferably in international development or the African context.
• Familiarity with various digital platforms and tools for virtual collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Strong planning, organization, and problem-solving skills with the ability to work hands-on and independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.
• Working knowledge of compliance requirements, duty of care, and risk management in donor-funded or regulated environments.
• Proven ability to work effectively across Operations and Program teams in multi-country and partnership-based contexts.
• High attention to detail, sound judgement, and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Experience working in international development, humanitarian, or partnership-heavy programs is an advantage.

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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.