Program Specialist (Guyana)

POSITION TITLE	Program Specialist
POSITION LOCATION	Guyana
REPORTS TO	ENGAGE Youth Project Director
CONTRACT TERM	Two years (full time position)

Background 

World University Service of Canada (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 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 Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), the MasterCard Foundation, World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the African Development Bank.  

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is the implementing agency for the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded five-year project – Empowering the Next Generation: Agency and Gender Equality (ENGAGE Youth) in Guyana. The ultimate goal of ENGAGE Youth is to enhance the empowerment of Indigenous and rural youth, especially young women, in target regions of Guyana. This will be facilitated by strengthening meaningful participation of youth in decisions that impact their social and economic well-being at the personal, household, and community levels; and the network of key stakeholders to effectively address the social and economic needs and aspirations of Indigenous youth from target regions.  

The ENGAGE Youth Theory of Change is premised on the assumption that increased engagement of Indigenous youth, by key stakeholders, will result in enhanced empowerment of Indigenous youth, especially young women. The project will take a holistic approach to empowerment, which recognizes the significant needs of the target group, and the importance of the broad spectrum of key local, regional and national stakeholders required to effectively address those needs. 

Project interventions include life skills training and programming; local and international networking, exchange, and learning opportunities; gender equality and youth empowerment-focused community programs; capacity strengthening of key stakeholders; and responsive grants for youth economic initiatives.

Position Summary 

Reporting to the ENGAGE Youth Project Director, the Program Specialist will provide support to the ENGAGE Youth Project in strategic programme planning, inter-agency coordination, implementation, reporting, resource mobilization and partnership building, as well as public engagement and communication. 

Responsibilities 

• Provide advice and facilitate formulation of concept notes for key ENGAGE Youth project interventions, as well as WUSC’s strategic goals.
• Support the Project Director in developing programming processes and products, including the annual workplan, strategic note, and programme/project documents.
• Work closely with the ENGAGE Youth team and key stakeholders to support program planning, coordination, implementation, and reporting. 
• Develop briefing materials for the ENGAGE Youth team on issues to be discussed with stakeholders at events and meetings.
• Provide analysis and advice to the Project Director and the ENGAGE Youth team, on the opportunities to support inclusive engagement of indigenous communities, in alignment with the project goals and donor priorities. 
• In collaboration with the Project Director, provide substantive support and representation at meetings and stakeholder engagements.
• Support coordination and implementation of project activities and events to engage government agencies, donors, beneficiaries and civil society.
• Provide support and advice to the Project Director in forging and implementing strategic partnerships to increase progress of the project outcomes.
• Manage coordination and implementation of networking and capacity development activities with key stakeholders.
• Support the development of the ENGAGE Youth Communication Strategy, content development, and ensure proper management/monitoring of media engagement.
• Support the development, implementation, and monitoring of media campaigns on issues related to gender equality, human rights, and civic participation of indigenous communities, in alignment with the project priorities.
• Support Community Program Officers in planning, coordinating, implementing and managing ENGAGE Youth activities in target communities. 
• Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time. 

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in business management, management, development studies, human rights, public policy, or related field.
• Master’s Degree in a related field is an asset.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years progressive experience working for international development organizations, inter-agency coordination, and strategic programme planning processes. 
• Demonstrable experience in the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of programmes.
• Experience working in gender equality and human rights at the local and international level is an asset.
• Experience working in indigenous communities in Guyana is an asset.
• Experience working with international development agencies is an asset.

Competencies:

• Excellent administration and organizational skills, including ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and targets, within strict deadlines. 
• Proven ability to work productively with an extensive range of stakeholders, including donors, government, civil society, regional and local agencies. 
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship building, networking and communication skills.
• Effective working knowledge and application of Results Based Management. 
• Ability to work effectively in a participatory manner, as part of an inter-cultural, diverse and complex work environment;
• Flexibility, with a strong work ethic to manage high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities in keeping with established standards and targets.
• Share in WUSC’s commitment and approach to advance gender equality and social inclusion for all young people.
• Able and willing to travel to Indigenous regions.

Applications

WUSC Caribbean’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 Caribbean 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 Caribbean 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.

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARICOM Nationals. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to submit their cover letter, CV, and the name and contact information for 3 professional references via email to [email protected]

Please use the subject line Program Specialist

Deadline for submission: Tuesday April 30, 2024