Senior Program Officer, Program Development (bilingual FR/EN)

POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Officer, Program Development

POSITION LOCATION: Ottawa (currently remote)

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager, Program Development

CONTRACT TERM: Indeterminate

SALARY LEVEL: PRO 2 – $56,000 to $65,000

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 21st, 2022

EXPECTED START DATE: March 2022

Are you passionate about Program Development? WUSC is currently looking for a Senior Program Officer to become part of our dynamic PD team!

BACKGROUND

WUSC (World University Service of Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion for youth around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. WUSC currently works in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $40 million. We have over 90 staff in our Ottawa office, and over 200 people overseas implementing 16 development projects in collaboration with donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the MasterCard Foundation, and the African Development Bank.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Senior Program Manager, the Senior Program Officer, Program Development will be responsible for.

Program Design & Proposal Development

• Conduct research on relevant projects, context and partner organizations to support design of new program development initiatives;

• Participate and lead the participatory design of PD initiatives, including ensuring the active input from technical advisors and intended beneficiaries;

• Apply Results Based Management principles and tools in program design;

• Conceive and write significant portions of project proposals (both solicited and unsolicited), concept papers and expressions of interests;

• Evaluate the suitability of potential staff and consultants, matching their skills and experience to the new programming needs.

Donor trends and opportunities

• Keep track and share information with relevant colleagues on donor trends and priorities;

• Scan and identify relevant funding opportunities from various donors;

• Contribute to go/ no-go recommendations on new PD opportunities;

• In collaboration with PD management, liaise with potential funders in the design and presentation of new programming initiatives.

Program Development Unit support

• Contribute to setting priorities for the PD department;

• Contribute to building the capacity of the PD team and other colleagues in Canada and overseas to advance our PD agenda;

• Promote learning and knowledge sharing with colleagues in Canada and overseas to achieve our PD objectives;

• Participate in weekly PD team meetings;

• Participate in the development of PD tools and the maintenance of PD Team Drive.

Any other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Languages

Complete fluency, oral and written in French and English. Spanish would be considered an asset.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (social sciences, international development)

• Master’s degree in a related field (asset).

Skills and experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience developing and/or managing international development projects and programming (preferably with 1-2 years of experience working overseas, in a development context);

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of working in program development roles in the Canadian context, including experience in development of opportunities with public, private, institutional, and others funders, donors and investors ;

• Proven success in developing and designing international development initiatives related to WUSC’s sectors or programming areas:

• Education (basic education, teacher training, education systems strengthening, equity in education, vocational training, higher education);

• Inclusive market development (sustainable livelihoods, vocational training, value chain, market system development);

• Youth programming (youth inclusion, youth economic empowerment);

• Women’s rights and gender equality (gender based violence, women’s economic empowerment, gender mainstreaming);

• Durable solutions for refugees.

• Experience with Results-Based Management tools and familiarity with donors, particularly Global Affairs Canada, FCDO, USAID and other foundations.

• Familiarity with gender equality, social inclusion and market-based approaches including innovative finance.

Competencies:

• Superior oral and written communication skills: clear, concise, persuasive writing style;

• Strong capacity for strategic analysis and innovative thinking;

• Excellent administration and organizational skills, including ability to prioritize tasks and handle multiple initiatives under tight deadlines;

• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated capacity to work in partnership and with different cultural groups.

Other:

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally (on occasional basis)

• Ability to work a flexible schedule

WHY WORK WITH WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and fast-paced. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility. And we provide a phenomenal learning experience.

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference in the lives of youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, economic opportunities and empowerment.

The WUSC office is in Ottawa. Currently WUSC team members are mostly working remotely. WUSC offers flexible working arrangements, competitive benefits, four weeks of annual leave (for full-time employees), safe and healthy working conditions, and fair compensation. Click here to learn more about WUSC Top 100 Employers of National Capital Region 2021.

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.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

If you wish to apply for this position, please follow this link to register on WUSC’s candidate database.