POSITION TITLE: Program Assistant – Complementary Pathways

POSITION LOCATION: Amman-Jordan

REPORTS TO: Senior Program Officer – Complementary Pathways

CONTRACT TERM: 5 Months

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30/09/2024

EXPECTED START DATE: ASAP

BACKGROUND ABOUT WUSC:

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization that works with and through its southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957 and currently working in 22 countries worldwide with an annual budget of approximately $45 million dollars, WUSC works towards a world where young people can grow up in safe, secure, supportive environments, where they can learn, work, and play a vital role in their community and country’s development. Our internationally recognized programs which support youth, women, and other marginalized populations, focusing on three thematic areas of education, employment, and engagement. Globally, WUSC works with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders that can be leveraged to support our work.

BACKGROUND ABOUT SRP, REFUGEE LED COUNSELLING FOR COMPLEMENTARY PATHWAYS & WCC:

WUSC is currently implementing the Student Refugee Program (SRP) in Jordan and Lebanon which targets refugee youth in camps and urban settings. The SRP was introduced by WUSC in the Middle East in 2014 with an aim of providing refugee students’ access to post-secondary education in Canada. The program enables refugee students to enter Canada as permanent residents and pursue their post-secondary studies at Canadian institutions. While in Canada, WUSC provides social, educational and financial support to the students for the first 12 months of their sponsorship.

WUSC is UNHCR’s partner for complementary pathways in Jordan. Under this 3 years’ partnership, WUSC seeks to increase access to protection-sensitive complementary pathways, specifically education and employment-linked pathways for refugees in Jordan, including those that offer family reunification opportunities as part of their initiatives. Through the direct and ongoing assistance of Refugee Guidance’s Counselors, the project will support refugees living in the urban areas of Amman, Zarqa, Mafraq, Irbid, as well as in the Zaatari and Azraq refugee camps, to: access the information and assistance they need in order to identify verified education and employment pathways to pursue; understand the associated processes, and; develop the skills to apply for, navigate and progress through the selection processes of the pathways they wish to pursue.

WUSC is also implementing the Welcome Corps on Campus (WCC) program as well. WCC is a new targeted education sponsorship initiative that enables U.S. colleges and universities to play a leading role in resettling refugee students. Through the Welcome Corps on Campus, qualified refugee students can pursue life-changing opportunities to continue their education and build their futures in the United States. Welcome Corps on Campus leverages the capacity of U.S. higher education institutions to serve as resettlement spaces and academic opportunities for refugee students, foster more diverse and inclusive campuses, and create a sustainable opportunity for colleges and universities to welcome refugee students on their campuses. With the support of institutional leadership, on-campus Private Sponsor Groups (PSGs), consisting of staff, faculty, and students will welcome refugee students at their institutions to provide them with a softer landing and an educational pathway, provide them with supportive communities, and set them up for academic and overall success.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support in coordinating English language tests in collaboration with WUSC’s partners, and provide technical support to resolve any issues that may occur during tests;
• Support in analyzing data to assess students’ needs, follow up accordingly, and provide recommendations to address any identified gaps;
• Support refugee students, follow up on their needs, and provide the needed support;
• Support in handling university application forms for refugee students with accuracy and a timely manner;
• Support in filling out immigration forms for refugee students with accuracy and a timely submission;
• Provide ongoing support across various stages, such as the filtration process and the preparation of student invitation letters;
• Support the creation of Google Classroom for the self-study curriculum and assist with related tasks;
• Support UNHCR’s Refugee-Led Counseling for the Complementary Pathways Project by tracking and managing project data effectively;
• Assist in the implementation of program activities and manage logistics effectively;
• Assist in creating tutorials and training materials to help refugee students easily understand new content;
• Assist with the financial reporting requirements for headquarters related to complementary pathways projects;
• Undertake any other related tasks assigned by the direct supervisor/s.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Experience:

• A minimum of three years of experience working in the humanitarian field or with NGOs/INGOs
• A solid background in education and training specifically with refugees, with a proven ability to develop and implement complementary pathways activities and create training materials and tutorials

Competencies:

• Solid understanding of IT and data entry;
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment;
• Solid understanding of different cloud-based storage services;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with advanced knowledge in Excel;
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and inclusion;
• Flexibility in working hours;
• Adherence to the Gender Equality approach and the values of social inclusion

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) or higher degree in IT, Computer Science, Social Sciences, or any related field

Languages:

• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, with strong communication and interpersonal skills

Position type/Expected hours of work:

• This is a full-time job position.
• Working hours and days are Sunday till Thursday, 8:30/9:30 A.M. – 4:30/5:30 P.M. with the high possibility of working for late hours in case any calls with the headquarter (Ottawa) team are required.

Applications:

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check where appropriate.