Program Officer, Volunteer Mobilization (bilingual EN/FR)

Summary

Under the supervision of the Manager Volunteer Mobilization, the Program Officer, Volunteer Mobilization (standard volunteers – bilateral and VCP projects), is responsible for selecting candidates, matching and supporting volunteers to meet the needs of global partners and WUSC country offices.The Program Officer, Volunteer Mobilization works collaboratively with staff members in Canada and internationally to fulfill the recruitment requirements of the WUSC bilateral projects and the VCP.

Description

POSITION TITLE: Program Officer, Volunteer Mobilization (standard volunteers – bilateral and VCP projects)

POSITION LOCATION: Remote (Canada) – Ottawa preferred

REPORTS TO: Manager, Volunteer Mobilization

CONTRACT TERM: Indeterminate

SALARY : PRO 1 (50k-56k)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 18, 2023 (early applications are encouraged)

LANGUAGE REQUIRED: Fluency in both French and English

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, and the African Development Bank.

Volunteering for development is one of the important ways in which WUSC pursues its mission. WUSC’s Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) has ambitious targets to mobilize hundreds of skilled Canadian volunteers each year to support partners in developing countries where we are working to advance gender equality and facilitate economic opportunities for poor and marginalized young people, especially young women and refugees. Overseas, our volunteers collaborate with a wide variety of partners, including enterprise and social enterprise development incubators, skills training centres, enterprises, women’s organizations, and youth groups. In Canada, WUSC works with institutions and individuals to identify, prepare, and support volunteers who travel overseas to support our partners for various durations of time. Our network in Canada also works with WUSC to raise awareness among Canadians to inspire greater action on global development issues. Our collective focus is on sustainable and inclusive changes to create a better world for youth.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Manager Volunteer Mobilization, the Program Officer, Volunteer Mobilization (standard volunteers – bilateral and VCP projects), is responsible for selecting candidates, matching and supporting volunteers to meet the needs of global partners and WUSC country offices.

The Program Officer, Volunteer Mobilization works collaboratively with staff members in Canada and internationally to fulfill the recruitment requirements of the WUSC bilateral projects and the Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP).

Volunteer Assignment Development, Recruitment, Mobilization and Volunteer Management

• Work in partnership with international and Canada team colleagues to review and validate the volunteer assignment descriptions and to post assignments on the WUSC website;
• Screen volunteer applications for eligibility and suitability for specific assignments;
• Conduct pre screening calls and interviews with volunteer candidates and continually assess candidates’ alignment with WUSC’s volunteer assessment competencies, WUSC’s values, mission and vision as well as comply with WUSC’s Volunteer Code of Conduct throughout the pre-departure process;
• Share selected applications to WUSC country offices for final approval;
• Conduct regular meetings and follow-ups on recruitment progress with international colleagues and with the Manager, Volunteer Mobilization;
• Collaborate with the volunteer training team and the volunteer administration team to ensure volunteers are prepared for their assignments and to ensure all necessary administrative and training requirements are completed;
• Provide volunteer management support to WUSC Country teams and support to volunteers on assignment as required;
• Provide volunteer administration support for bilateral project volunteers to the Volunteer Administrative Officer as required;
• Conduct one-on-one debriefing sessions with volunteers after the completion of the assignment;
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date assignment and volunteer data in the Information Management Systems.

Other related duties:

• Contribute to the development, implementation and review of team systems, processes and tools;
• Provide support and cover to the Volunteer Mobilization Team colleagues as needed;
• Support with the onboarding of new colleagues;
• Undertake specific additional responsibilities, as may be agreed upon with their supervisor;
• Integrate gender equality and other inclusion considerations in all volunteer recruitment, mobilization and communications activities.

Qualifications and Competencies:

Education: University degree in Human Resources, Communications and Marketing, International Development, or a related discipline

Experience & Competencies:

• At least one year of professional experience in recruitment or volunteer mobilization;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and capacity to work in partnership with different cultural groups, staff and volunteers;
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and handle multiple initiatives simultaneously;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Sound judgment;
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt;
• Experience working in international cooperation;
• Understanding of intercultural adaptation;
• Knowledge of the labour markets;
• Understanding of the approach to equality between women and men and values of international volunteering.

Languages: Bilingual English/French (fluency essential).

Travel: Occasional travel in Canada and internationally.

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!

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Comment postuler:

APPLICATIONS - Click here to apply! 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.