Bilingual Program Officer, Student Refugee Program

POSITION TITLE: Program Officer, Student Refugee Program
POSITION LOCATION: Remote (Canada) – Ottawa region preferred
REPORTS TO: Manager, Canadian Programming, Durable Solutions for Refugees
CONTRACT TERM: Full time -ASAP until August 30, 2024
SALARY: PRO 1 (50k-56k)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 12, 2023
EXPECTED START DATE: ASAP
LANGUAGE REQUIRED: Fluency in both French and English

BACKGROUND

WUSC 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 the Caribbean, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $40 million. We have over 90 staff in our Canadian 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.

WUSC’S Student Refugee Program

Active on more than 100 college, CEGEP, and university campuses, WUSC’s student-run Local Committees make up the largest network of student groups in Canada who are dedicated to international and forced migration issues.  Through their engagement, Local Committee members promote and support WUSC’s Student Refugee Program (SRP), public engagement, and international volunteering initiatives.

The SRP provides refugee youth living in countries of asylum an opportunity to pursue their education at Canadian post-secondary institutions and resettle to Canada as permanent residents.  Each year, around 150 students are accepted into the program and supported by WUSC Local Committees, who provide financial, academic, and settlement support for a minimum period of 12 months.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Manager, Canadian Programming, Durable Solutions for Refugees, the Program Officer has responsibility to engage the Quebec Local Committees and Francophone Local Committees through training, support, communication and outreach.

Program Coordination 

• Assess and monitor sponsorship groups’ capacity to provide adequate financial and social support to sponsor;
• Provide support to sponsorship groups to develop settlement plans, and assess and approve them prior to proceeding with immigration;
• Coordinate the matching and admissions of francophone SRP students and sponsoring groups;
• Support the matching and admissions of English-speaking SRP students and sponsoring groups;
• Liaise with post-secondary institutions to ensure compliance with all program requirements and deliverables.

Training and ongoing support 

• Identify training needs, design and deliver trainings to build capacity of sponsorship groups to engage postsecondary institutions and students as well as support the integration of SRP students;
• Build capacity of Local Committees to strengthen their partnerships, funding structure and diversify funding sources to ensure quality and increased sponsorships;
• Provide support to Local Committees to manage relationships with SRP stakeholders at institutions to overcome challenges faced while sponsoring SRP students;
• Conduct regular monitoring activities (remotely, and occasionally in person) to ensure the quality of sponsorships and the experience of student volunteers;
• Develop tools, materials and resources to support the implementation of the SRP and participation of Local Committees in the SRP;
• Support the improvement and creation of new systems, processes and tools for volunteer training and management;
• Support the development of program training curriculum for Local Committees and the implementation of enhanced training methodologies, such as distance and self-directed learning, in consultation and input from the Campus Engagement team
• Support the maintenance of the WUSC Google Site for Local Committees.

Outreach and communication 

• Support the development and implementation of, in collaboration with the team, an outreach strategy to grow the Student Refugee Program at postsecondary institutions in Canada, specifically within Quebec and the Francophone network outside Quebec;
• Facilitate translation (English and French) of materials, documents, and correspondence with WUSC’s bilingual Local Committee network;
• Support the development of communication and materials that can be used to promote the impact of the Student Refugee Program and to support the growth of the program
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with post-secondary institutions in Canada, specifically within Quebec and the Francophone network outside Quebec.

Administrative and operations

• Contribute to  the development of standard program policies, processes and procedures related to the Canadian operations;
• Liaise with Le ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI), sponsorship groups and relevant stakeholders on the submission of Quebec bound immigration forms and SRP student arrival processes.

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Relevant data collection and entry required by the program and stakeholders;
• Identify best practices across the program to document and share lessons learned;
• Prepare and contribute to reports if needed.

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• A degree or diploma in social sciences, global development, project management, business administration or communications, or equivalent working experience;

Experience  

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience (communications, youth engagement, community mobilization, volunteer management, international development);
• Demonstrated experience in mobilizing volunteers and networks;
• Experience in the following:
• Refugee resettlement or settlement sector
• Canadian immigration system and processes
• Volunteer management and coordination
• Project management;
• Knowledge and understanding of youth engagement
• Strong cross-cultural communication
• Experience as Local Committee member or an overseas volunteer or working in international development, forced migration, and/or immigration (preferred)
• Excellent capacity building skills, with demonstrated experience in effective training, coaching and facilitation
• Knowledge of the Quebec post-secondary education system and immigration policies;
• Knowledge/experience with the following software: Google Suite, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Adobe suite, Indesign, Canva

Competencies

• Effective interpersonal and influencing skills, including the ability to build relationships, network, communicate effectively in a cross-cultural context are essential;
• Strong personal initiative, resourcefulness and capacity to work individually and as a team;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Superior communication skills (oral and written), with a clear, concise, persuasive writing style;
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills;
• Ability to motivate others;
• Ability to multitask, adapt and problem solve;
• Demonstrated diplomacy and patience;
• Strong attention to detail;
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Demonstrated capacity to work remotely;
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages: Complete fluency (written and verbal) in French and English is required.

 

WHY WORK WITH WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and rewarding. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility.

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.

Here’s some of what you can expect working with us in Canada:

• 35-hour workweek, ability to work flexible hours
• Remote-friendly workplace, with free access to our Ottawa office
• 4 weeks annual leave, plus the week between Christmas and New Year
• Paid sick days (10) and special leave days (5)
• Extensive health and dental coverage for you and your dependents, 100% covered by us
• Group RRSP contributions, from day 1
• 300$ reimbursement for home office equipment
• Parental leave top-up
• Being part of a friendly, caring and enthusiastic team!

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.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and abilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Candidates must be legally allowed to work in Canada. Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.