Education Advisor

POSITION TITLE: Education Advisor

POSITION LOCATION: Hybrid or Remote (Canada or other city/countries in which WUSC has a significant presence, such as Abidjan, Accra, Amman, Colombo, Nairobi)

REPORTS TO: Director, Technical Services

CONTRACT TERM: 1 year term, with possibility of extension

SALARY LEVEL: PRO 3 or 4 depending on experience

(CAD 70,000 to 95,000 in Canada - Based on local salary scale in other countries)

LANGUAGES: Fluency in both English and French

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Open until filled

BACKGROUND

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization focusing on three programmatic areas: Economic Opportunities, Education, and Empowerment. Our vision is a better world for all young people. It is a more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous world in which all young people, especially women, and refugees, are empowered to secure a good quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

WUSC currently works in over 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $50 million. Globally, we partner with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders who work with us to achieve our mission.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Working out of our global support office in Ottawa or remotely in one of our major country offices (e.g. Nairobi, Accra, Abidjan, Amman), the Education Advisor will play a strategic role to grow WUSC’s Education portfolio, contributing to corporate, policy influence, and strategic objectives related to education. The Education Advisor will also be a core member of the Technical Advisory team, reporting to the Director, Technical Services, and working in a matrix environment as a technical resource for integrating education best practices into WUSC’s portfolio of programs globally.

The Education Advisor will also develop tools, resources and conduct training and coaching to staff and partners to support cross-project learning and the overall technical rigor of WUSC's education portfolio.

More specifically, the Education Advisor will be responsible for:

Education Advice & Coaching to WUSC’s Programs and Projects - 40%

• Provide high-quality technical assistance to diverse teams across the organization, including program delivery teams;
• Support program staff to integrate evidence and learning in education into project planning and management approaches (including results based management tools) and propose strategies to increase project/program impact on learning outcomes;
• Facilitate the use of data and learning from existing education programs to promote evidence-based learning, reflection and decision making within programs/ projects;
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in existing practices at WUSC, and support the development of improved systems, processes, and tools;
• Work with program managers and MERL Advisors to ensure that results measurement and knowledge management systems are established to ensure that relevant education results (i.e. learning outcomes, retention, completion, attendance, quality of learning environment, etc.) are captured and reported to relevant stakeholders;
• Create education resources (including training) and tools (ie. tipsheets, videos) to assist staff in implementing evidence-based education interventions.

Education Advisory Support to new Programs - 30%

• Work with the Program Development team to ensure the integration of evidence based good practices into education program design;
• Develop and/or review content for proposals that reflects WUSC’s experience in its education portfolio;
• Recommend financial and human resources necessary to execute high quality education programs;
• Support new project inception planning, particularly the development of the program/ project-specific advice for high quality education interventions; and
• Support project teams in the recruitment and capacity strengthening of project managers and technical staff on education issues.

Promote Internal & External Learning on Education - 30%

• Participate in critical working groups and networks, such as the Canadian International Education Policy Technical Working Group and the Interagency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE) Gender Working Group, and ensure that WUSC is delivering on key strategic objectives with and through these groups and networks;
• Contribute to WUSC Communities of practice on key areas of expertise and interest;
• Facilitate organizational learning opportunities, including training, seminars, webinars, tipsheets, etc;
• Take leadership on future revisions and updates of WUSC’s Education Thematic Paper, which guides WUSC’s strategic goals across our education portfolio;
• Lead the development of the organizational annual Education Thematic Area Workplan and ensure the execution of this plan;
• Conduct analysis of opportunities to maximize education results within WUSC’s Theory of Change focused on education, employment and empowerment of youth;
• Liaise regularly with technical counterparts to share best practices, tools, and organizational approaches to education quality;
• Represent WUSC at a variety of public forums (conferences, events, working groups, etc) and share results, lessons learned, and knowledge from WUSC’s education programs to position WUSC as a key actor in the education sector;
• Participate in WUSC's communications work by drafting communications materials, providing data, information and other material for use with WUSC’s Canadian and International constituency for communications strategies and fundraising activities.

Work environment

• Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust, respect and safety.
• Create a working environment is free from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH)
• Ensure high standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH are in place consistent with the WUSC's safeguarding policies and WUSC's Code of Conduct
• Contribute to an open, flexible and fun work environment
• Foster a sense of joint ownership and collaboration among team members

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in education and/or international development or related field; or equivalent working experience

Experience & Competencies

• A minimum of 7 years of experience working for international development organizations in the field of education, preferably with experience in resource-poor environments;
• Specific experience and domain knowledge in one or more of WUSC’s current priority areas, including: education for refugee and displaced populations, technical vocational education and training; girls’ education in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, education technology;
• Sound working knowledge of Results Based Management (RBM) approaches including Logic Model and Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) development;
• Strong analytical and research skills;
• Understanding of systems thinking and systems approaches to intervention design and learning;
• Strong coaching, mentoring and training skills;
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality, youth empowerment and social inclusion;
• Ability to travel (up to 20%) and occasionally work irregular hours and weekends.
• Impeccable integrity and reliability
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages

• Complete fluency in both English and French is strongly desired

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!

*(Benefits vary in other countries of operation)

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 authorized to work in Canada or in one of WUSC’s Countries of operations. WUSC will not facilitate any work authorization process or relocation.