POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Officer, Student Mobilization

POSITION LOCATION: Canada (Remote) or Ottawa region (hybrid work model)

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager, Student Refugee Program (SRP)

CONTRACT TERM: Indeterminate

SALARY LEVEL: PRO 2( $61,000 - $70,000)

LANGUAGES REQUIRED: Bilingual English / French

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 7th, 2026

EXPECTED START DATE: As soon as possible

Are you experienced in public engagement or student mobilization? WUSC is currently looking for a Senior Program Officer, Student Mobilization to provide leadership and coaching to the WUSC Local Committee network to generate local support on their campus and across Canada.

BACKGROUND

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We bring together and collaborate with a diverse network of partners (including students, volunteers, schools, governments, not-for-profits, and businesses) who share this mission. Together, we influence systems change, and foster inclusive, youth-centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. We work with all young people, with a focus on women and displaced populations. WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as in Canada, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 100 staff in Canada and more than 250 staff internationally, implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors, and philanthropic foundations.

Amongst other global programs, WUSC manages the world’s-longest standing refugee education pathway, known as the Student Refugee Program. Over 40+ years, nearly 3000 students have been resettled to Canada to begin their studies. Each year, WUSC works with a network of 100+ sponsoring post-secondary institutions, and 1200+ volunteers to provide peer-to-peer support to arriving refugee students, fund the costs of sponsorship, and to advocate for institutional and policy changes that support refugee inclusion both on and off campus.

Responsibilities Reporting to the Senior Manager, SRP, the Senior Program Officer, Student Mobilization, is responsible for implementing a national student body mobilization strategy, driving engagement with stakeholders on campus, and ensuring the successful implementation of student-led referendums that sustain and expand the Student Refugee Program (SRP).

Student Mobilization and Engagement

• Conceptualize, develop, and oversee the roll-out of high-impact, campus-based campaigns in partnership with the Public Engagement team and SRP Regional Teams across Canada, aimed at catalyzing student body support for refugee access to higher education.
• Strategically engage with student unions and campus governance bodies to strengthen the operational connections and advocacy capacity of WUSC’s Local Committees.
• Identify and participate in relevant student-related networks and external forums, identifying opportunities for program collaboration, amplification, and leverage.
• In coordination with SRP Training Advisor and the Public Engagement team, conceptualize, develop, and deliver training material, and resources that equip WUSC Local Committees to mobilize stakeholders on campus.

Referendum Management and Support

• Referendum Coaching: Working closely with the Regional SRP Team, to provide expert, tailored support to the Local Committee network on effective referendum campaign implementation on their campus.
• Actively explore and support the implementation or increase of SRP-related student levies on campuses, providing technical and strategic guidance to local referendum organizers.
• Coach WUSC Local Committees through all phases of successful referendum campaigns, ensuring compliance with local governance rules and WUSC guidelines.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Reflection and Learning (MERL) and Reporting

• Ensure youth-led activities are aligned with WUSC's work and follow ethical public engagement guidelines
• Support the data collection and entry of data required by the SRP.
• Contribute to the development of standard program policies, processes and procedures related to the SRP.
• Identify and document best practices and lessons learned across the Local Committee network related to student engagement, and facilitate the sharing of this knowledge to improve network performance.
• Prepare and contribute to narrative reports, internal memos, and progress updates as required by the Senior Manager and other stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of standard program policies, processes, and procedures related to Student Engagement and Local Committee operations.

Other Duties As Required QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• A degree or diploma in political science, public policy/administration, global development, project management, or equivalent working experience

Experience & Competencies

• At least 5 years of professional experience in public engagement or student mobilization role
• Experience with Canadian post-secondary student governance systems and processes
• Experience working for a non-profit preferred
• Experience as Local Committee member, lived experience as a refugee or an overseas volunteer or working in international development, forced migration, and/or immigration
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of WUSC
• Experience in the student movement and governance
• Demonstrated experience and skills in coordinating campaigns around specific demands
• Experience and skills in organizing volunteers and coordinating education and outreach initiatives
• Strong relationship-builder with experience providing guidance and coaching to post-secondary students
• Experience running effective referendum campaigns within post-secondary contexts
• Knowledge of social media tools and strategies
• Knowledge of wordpress, google analytics, Zoom and CoSchedule an asset.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of WUSC
• Strong computer skills (e.g. Google Suite, Salesforce) essential
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• A self-starter with the ability to multitask
• Must be motivated, creative, hardworking, optimistic, and a team player
• Must be available for occasional weekend and evening work. Time in lieu will be provided
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Travel within Canada
• *** Must have a valid drivers licence or being working towards obtaining one

Languages

• Bilingual in English and French essential

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
• 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.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process, or those needing job postings in an alternative format, may e-mail a request to hr-rh@wusc.ca.

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.

We may utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to facilitate the initial screening of applications based on criteria outlined in the job description. The ultimate decision to interview and hire is determined by our dedicated hiring team.