Job Openings at World University Service of Canada

Role Description:

The primary purpose of this role is to design and oversee a rigorous and ambitious research agenda that generates actionable evidence for WUSC, Mastercard Foundation and its partners to build awareness and ultimately remove systemic barriers that hinder access to education and dignified work for refugee and displaced youth. The Research Manager will ensure that all data collection is inclusive, ethical, gender-responsive, and directly informs the initiative’s technical assistance and policy advocacy efforts.

Reporting to the MERL Regional Senior Manager, they will:

Research Design & Implementation:

• In close collaboration with the thematic pillars (RLO partnerships, Higher Education Inclusion and the Technical Assistance Mechanism), lead the design and execution of research studies, mapping exercises, and situational analyses across the African continent to identify policy and systemic barriers impacting RDP youth as well as opportunities for engagement.
• Manage the production of high-quality research reports, policy papers, and evidence-based recommendations.
• Manage relationships with external research firms, consultants and data collectors

Evidence Generation for Policy & Advocacy:

• In collaboration with the Learning Manager, synthesize research findings into accessible formats (e.g., learning briefs) to influence Mastercard Foundation staff, partners, and broader ecosystem actors.
• In partnership with RLOs themselves, undertake rigorous research to understand the impact of the RLO Opportunity Fund, especially ensuring that research is RDP-centred.
• Support the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) in using research data to advocate for institutional and national policy changes.

Methodology & Data Integrity:

• Implement mixed-methods research approaches, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative methods such as Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs).
• Ensure all research is inclusive and gender-responsive, specifically capturing dis aggregated data for young women, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
• Uphold rigorous safeguarding standards to ensure research activities do not cause harm to vulnerable program participants.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Knowledge Management, or a related field.
• Significant experience in knowledge management, MERL, or program learning within large-scale international development initiatives, preferably in Africa.
• Strong understanding of the challenges facing refugee and displaced populations, particularly young women and persons with disabilities.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, digital monitoring tools, and participatory learning approaches (e.g., Most Significant Change).
• Ability to synthesize complex data into clear, accessible learning products for various audiences.
• Deep commitment to gender-responsive and inclusive approaches in data collection and knowledge sharing.
• Complete fluency in English is essential, with strong oral presentation and writing skills.
• Fluency (or professional competencies) in French is a strong asset.
• Commitment to social inclusion, gender equality, and working with displaced and refugee youth.

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The Senior Administrative Officer provides high-level executive support to the Project Director and Deputy Director, ensuring the efficient operation of the project’s management office. Additionally, this role serves as the primary Secretariat for the Youth Advisory Board (YAB), facilitating their meaningful engagement in the project’s governance and decision-making processes

Responsibilities:

Executive Support to Project Management

• Manage the calendars and schedules of the Project Director and Deputy Project Director, prioritizing high-level meetings and deadlines.
• Organize and coordinate management meetings, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and tracking the status of action items.
• Draft, proofread, and format official project correspondence, reports, and presentations for the Mastercard Foundation and other high-level stakeholders.
• Oversee travel arrangements, logistics, and expense reporting for the senior management team.
• Other tasks as required by the project management.

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Coordination

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the 15 members of the Youth Advisory Board, ensuring they are informed of project developments.
• Coordinate the recruitment and orientation of YAB members, ensuring gender, geographic, and disability diversity as outlined in the DREEM 2030 strategy.
• Organize YAB meetings (virtual and in-person), including logistical support for travel, per diems, and accessibility requirements.
• Facilitate the flow of information between the YAB and the Project Director and Deputy Director, ensuring that youth voices are integrated into program annual work plans and reflection meetings

General Project Administration

• Serve, as the primary administrative lead for the project’s Salesforce usage, ensuring all contact information for partners, RLOs, and YAB members is up-to-date.
• Build and maintain customized dashboards and reports within Salesforce for the Project Director to track administrative KPIs and workflow bottlenecks.
• Coordinate with the WUSC headquarters and regional offices on administrative policies and office management.
• Serve as the central curator for the project’s shared drive, ensuring that all project documentation remains up to date and stored appropriately.
• Collaborate closely with the Events team in the organization of large-scale project events, such as the annual reflection meetings and planning workshops.

Financial & Procurement Liaison

• Support the management team in tracking administrative budgets and processing procurement requests.
• Liaise with the Senior Finance Manager to ensure that all administrative spending complies with WUSC and Mastercard Foundation guidelines.

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Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership & Fund Management

• Design and oversee the implementation of the RLO Opportunity Fund, including grant-making processes, eligibility criteria, and funding cycles.
• Develop and manage the fund’s budget, ensuring effective and compliant allocation of resources to RLOs.
• Ensure alignment of the Opportunity Fund with the initiative’s overall strategy and the donor’s RDP Strategy.

RLO Capacity Strengthening & Transition Support

• Work closely with the Training and Curriculum Development Specialist to design and deliver capacity-building programs for RLOs, including institutional development, financial management, MERL, and safeguarding.
• Support the systematic transition of TA delivery from WUSC staff to RLOs, in collaboration with the Head of the TA Mechanism and the Head of Higher Education Inclusion.
• Develop and manage a “Grants Plus” model, pairing financial support with tailored technical assistance to ensure RLO sustainability and growth.

Partnership & Ecosystem Engagement

• Identify, assess, and onboard RLO partners across target countries, ensuring diversity in geography, gender, disability, and thematic focus (including green/climate initiatives).
• Foster strong relationships with RLOs, the donor’s teams, and other ecosystem actors to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Represent the RLO Opportunity Fund in internal and external forums, advocating for refugee-led solutions and inclusive funding practices.

Monitoring, Learning & Adaptation

• In collaboration with the Lead, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Research (MERL), develop and implement a robust MERL framework for the Opportunity Fund, tracking RLO progress, impact, and readiness for TA provision.
• Facilitate learning exchanges, reflection sessions, and adaptive management processes to continuously improve fund delivery and RLO outcomes and to share best practices.
• With support from the MERL and Communications teams, document and disseminate success stories, lessons learned, and best practices related to RLO empowerment and funding models.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all RLO partnerships and fund disbursements adhere to WUSC and the donor’s compliance, safeguarding, and due diligence requirements.
• Mitigate risks related to RLO capacity, financial management, legal registration, and program delivery.
• World closely with the GESI and Safeguarding unit to ensure that all aspects of the Opportunity Fund are designed to effectively build collaborative, safe and equitable partnerships with RLOs;
• Promote ethical and inclusive practices in all aspects of fund management and partner engagement

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in grants management for local and community-based organizations and working within diverse African contexts.

• Advanced degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in program management, grant-making, or capacity-building, with at least 5 years focused on refugee/displacement contexts.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing funds or grant programs for local organizations, preferably refugee-led or community-based organizations.
• Strong understanding of the African RDP ecosystem, including challenges and opportunities related to education, livelihoods, and organizational development.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including donors, partners, and youth-led groups.
• Excellent strategic planning, financial management, and MERL skills.
• Fluency in English; professional proficiency in French is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to build equitable partnerships with marginalized and community-led organizations
• Commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth.

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The Specialist is responsible for designing, coordinating, and delivering capacity-building and training programs for project staff, partners, and Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) to achieve the initiative's goals of expanding opportunities for RDP youth. The Specialist will work closely and in collaboration with WUSC teams in Kenya and globally, the donor’s regional and country teams, and the donor’s partners.

Reporting to the Deputy Project Director, they will:

Training Strategy and Design

• In close collaboration with the project’s management and the Heads of Higher Education Inclusion, RLO Engagement and the Technical Assistance Mechanism, lead the development of a comprehensive project-wide Training and Development Strategy focused on the key pathways: the RLO Opportunity Fund and the provision of technical assistance.
• Design and develop high-quality, culturally appropriate training packages, curricula, and materials for project staff, partners, and RLOs.
• Collaborate closely with the GESI and Safeguarding Officer to ensure all training incorporates gender equality, social inclusion, and safeguarding principles (including PSEA).
• Coordinate with the Head of MERL to integrate learning outcomes and best practices into training modules and assess training effectiveness.

Capacity Building for RLOs and Partners

• Conduct capacity needs assessments for RLOs and implementing partners, particularly in the areas of institutional capacity, technical assistance provision, and organizational development.
• Deliver tailored training and organizational development support to RLOs, empowering them to become sustainable, locally-led technical assistance providers.
• Support the technical assistance teams by providing training on effective RDP inclusion strategies and collaboration methods.

Delivery, Coordination, and Learning

• Support the project teams to plan, organize, and facilitate training workshops, mentorship programs, and coaching sessions across project geographies.
• Manage relationships with external consultants or trainers, ensuring the quality of externally delivered capacity-building services.
• Document lessons learned, best practices, and case studies related to capacity building to contribute to the project’s institutional knowledge hub and adaptive programming.
• Ensure the accessibility and inclusivity of all training delivery methods and materials for diverse participants, including persons with disabilities.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Human Resources, Organizational Development, International Development, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of demonstrated experience in designing, delivering, and managing training and capacity-building programs, preferably within multi-country development or humanitarian contexts in Africa.
• Proven ability to conduct training needs assessments and develop resulting curricula.
• Experience in facilitating capacity building and coaching for diverse partners, including community-based organizations or RLOs.
• Complete fluency in English is essential, with strong oral presentation and writing skills.
• Fluency (or professional competencies) in French is a strong asset.
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills.
• Deep understanding of adult learning principles and diverse training methodologies.
• Ability to work hands-on, independently, and manage complex training schedules across multiple countries.
• Commitment to social inclusion, gender equality, and working with displaced and refugee youth.

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The Senior Finance Officer, RLO Granting, provides technical support for the financial management and capacity strengthening components of the project’s granting mechanism supporting more than 60 Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) across the African continent. Working closely with Finance, Operations, and Program teams, the role supports the effective administration of grants while strengthening the financial management capacities of RLO partners to ensure accountable, compliant, and impactful use of funds.

Responsibilities:

• Support the financial administration of the project’s RLO granting mechanism, including grant allocation, disbursements, and financial monitoring for over 60 RLO partners across Africa.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of streamlined financial processes and reporting systems that ensure compliance while minimizing administrative burden on RLO partners.
• Provide demand driven technical assistance to RLO partners on financial management, budgeting, reporting, and financial sustainability.
• Deliver financial capacity strengthening support to help RLOs strengthen financial systems, enhance accountability, and become increasingly “funding ready” for larger and more diverse funding opportunities.
• Work closely with program teams to provide practical financial guidance to RLO partners to support effective grant implementation.
• Ensure all RLO grant expenditures and activities comply with WUSC and donor financial policies and requirements.
• Conduct site visits to RLO partners, where relevant, to support financial training, monitoring, and compliance activities.
• Liaise with the Head of Finance to provide timely and accurate financial reports on the performance of RLO grants.
• Support financial planning and reporting processes, including contributing to annual budgeting, financial forecasting, and preparation of regular financial reports such as Budget vs. Actual (BVA) reports.
• Monitor budget adherence, flagging significant variances and supporting corrective action where needed.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• A professional qualification in Accounting (e.g. CPA, ACCA or equivalent qualification)
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in accounting or financial administration, ideally within a nonprofit or development organization;
• Strong knowledge of accounting software (e.g., Sage) and Microsoft Office, especially Excel. Previous experience with Netsuite a desirable asset;
• Proven experience in grants management, financial oversight, or fund management, preferably within a non-profit or development context.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity strengthening or providing technical assistance to local partner organizations on financial or organizational management.
• Demonstrated experience in providing coaching and mentoring support to project colleagues on effective financial management.
• Superior cross cultural and cross-functional collaboration skills, including providing mentoring and coaching support remotely;
• Strong analytical, communication and problem solving skills;
• Fluent in English; French language skills are highly desirable.