Program Officer -VCP

WUSC – MALAWI EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Job Description

POSITION TITLE	Program Officer, VCP (Term Position)
POSITION LOCATION	WUSC – Malawi Office- Lilongwe
REPORTS TO	Program Manager, VCP (Malawi)
CONTRACT TERM	4.5 Months Term Position
EXPECTED START DATE	12 January, 2026

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 Program Manager, VCP (Malawi), the Program Officer (PO) provides support to partners and volunteers in pursuit of the VCP’s target results. The PO will be responsible for supporting the partner capacity strengthening for youth and women’s economic opportunities through partnering with the WUSC Canada volunteer mobilization team to recruit, prepare, support and performance manage volunteers in their volunteer assignments. She/he shall ensure results-based management approach (planning, activities monitoring and results reporting) and shall support the Program Manager in the program implementation related responsibilities.

Volunteer mobilization and support

• As the primary relationship holder with VCP Volunteers, collaborate with the Volunteer Mobilization team and partners to develop, revise, finalize and adjust volunteer assignment descriptions, and input to Salesforce. Collaborate with the Recruitment Officer to match volunteers to assignments and obtain partner acceptance.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Mobilization Team on the preparation of the volunteers in the pre-departure process and in the pre-arrival logistics including visa, work permit, flight arrival logistics etc.
• In collaboration with partners, program support volunteers and the Program Manager, implement procedures to support volunteers upon their arrival in Malawi and for their entire stay in the country (in-country orientation, housing, security, living and working conditions, personal and professional support, performance management etc) with consideration for how conditions may affect women and men (and other identify factors) differently.
• Collaborate with colleagues to obtain the required Visa and work permit and that they are valid for the duration of their assignment(s)
• Support volunteers to develop their work plan and approve them, conduct regular volunteer check-ins, tripartite meetings with partners and volunteers, and volunteer exit interviews
• Organize appropriate partner and volunteer training/orientation sessions
• Support and collaborate with office-based volunteer assignments (eg PVSA, M&E, Communications, etc).

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting

• Support Program Manager, In close collaboration with local partners, in the timely collection of data and preparation of annual reports, in accordance with the Program guidelines, including the documentation of Stories of Change.
• Support the Program Manager to ensure the documentation of results and good practices and the generation of content and knowledge, with the goal of the communication and dissemination thereof, both internally and externally.
• Integrate gender equality and youth inclusion strategies in the implementation of interventions, and ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the gender equality and youth inclusion results.
• Utilize social media and other knowledge sharing and networking platforms to increase visibility of the and its partners, as well as for the results achieved.
• As required, in collaboration with partners, the completion of a participatory environmental impact assessment, as per Global Affairs Canada and in-country requirements, and the Program’s own guidelines.

 Partnership development and support

• Support the Program Manager to develop and implement the Malawi VCP Annual Work Plan
• Support Program Manager and local partners to conduct needs assessments and capacity strengthening plans in order to identify and achieve expected program results in Malawi
• Support local partners in identifying areas where they need support and assist them in translating needs into realistic volunteer assignment descriptions.
• Facilitate partner collaboration and encourage synergy by supporting PM to plan and coordinate planning and coordinating the biannual Partner Forum and Program Advisory Committee.
• Promote the establishment of agreements with local partners.
• Support partners to apply for the Partner Innovation Fund
• All other related tasks, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• A university degree in a relevant discipline (international development, economic development, business development or development studies) or equivalent years of professional experience.

Experience & Competencies

• Three years of experience in development programs that support the economic development sector, youth entrepreneurship or business services development.
• Relevant experience in providing support to international volunteers.
• Relevant experience utilizing a capacity strengthening approach with local partners.
• Relevant experience in needs analysis, capacity building and training.
• Relevant experience in budget management.
• Knowledge of economic development policies and strategies in Malawi, particularly in relation to economic development, entrepreneurship, employability, and vocational and technical training.
•  Work experience in an intercultural context.
• Proficiency with information technologies and in computer skills (Word, Excel, Google Drive/Docs/Gmail, Salesforce etc.)
• Adherence to gender equality approach and social inclusion.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills.
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages: Complete fluency in English is required.

WHY WORK WITH WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and fast-paced. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility. And we provide a phenomenal learning experience.

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.

The WUSC Malawi Country Office is located in Lilongwe. We offer competitive benefits, four weeks of annual leave (for full-time employees), safe and healthy working conditions, and fair compensation.

WUSC Work Environment:

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.

How to apply:

WUSC is an equal-opportunity employer. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application by email attaching a one-page application letter and CV (maximum – 3 pages). The application email must indicate the following subject heading: WUSC Malawi – Program Officer – VCP. Please send your applications to the following email address: : jobs@careersmw.com

Remuneration information will be disclosed to the selected candidate. Application closing deadline is Sunday, 30 November, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a roilling basis, Early applications are encouraged. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.