Senior Program Officer, Student Refugee Program (SRP) Atlantic Region

World University Service of Canada; Remote; CAD 61,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian global development organization is seeking a Senior Program Officer for the Student Refugee Program (SRP) in Atlantic Canada. The role involves leading strategies for refugee sponsorship, providing support and training to local communities, and facilitating ongoing partnerships. Candidates should have at least five years of experience in youth engagement or similar fields, a degree in relevant areas, and strong project management skills. This position offers a remote-friendly workplace, competitive salary, and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

35-hour workweek with flexible hours

Four weeks annual leave

Extensive health and dental coverage

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of professional experience in youth engagement, community mobilization, or volunteer management.
• Experience working for a non-profit preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of WUSC.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the SRP engagement and growth strategy in the Atlantic Region.
• Oversee the annual SRP sponsorship commitments process within the Atlantic Region.
• Liaise with sponsorship groups and SRP students to ensure quality sponsorship.

Skills

Youth engagement

Community mobilization

Training and coaching

Project management

Cross-cultural communication

Education

Degree or diploma in social sciences or related field

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

POSITION TITLE: Senior Program Officer Student Refugee Program (SRP) - Atlantic Region

POSITION LOCATION: Halifax (Remote) based in Atlantic Region

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

LANGUAGES REQUIRED: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 7th 2026

EXPECTED START DATE: As soon as possible

Background

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We collaborate with a diverse network of partners – students, volunteers, schools, governments, not‑for‑profits, and businesses – who share this mission. We influence systems change and foster inclusive youth‑centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. WUSC’s focus on women and displaced populations has led us to manage the world’s longest‑standing refugee education pathway, the Student Refugee Program (SRP). With a track record of nearly 3,000 students resettled to Canada over 40 years, we partner with 100 sponsoring post‑secondary institutions and 1,200 volunteers to provide peer‑to‑peer support, funding for sponsorship, and advocacy for institutional and policy changes that support refugee inclusion both on and off campus.

Responsibilities

Refugee Sponsorship and Compliance

• Lead the implementation of the SRP engagement and growth strategy in the Atlantic Region.
• Oversee the annual SRP sponsorship commitments process within the Atlantic Region, coordinating the cycle launch and managing the collection and review of all applications before submitting final recommendations for approval.
• Support sponsorship groups in the Atlantic Region to develop and finalize their settlement plans, assessing and reviewing them prior to proceeding with immigration.
• Support the matching and admissions process of SRP students to sponsoring groups in the Atlantic Region.
• Liaise with sponsorship groups and SRP students to ensure quality sponsorship in compliance with Canada’s immigration requirements.

Technical Assistance and Support

• Support the design and development of SRP training tools and resources.
• Provide tailored capacity‑building and training (in person and online) to WUSC Local Committee SRP students and program alumni in the Atlantic Region to strengthen partnerships, funding structures, and diversify funding sources.
• Coordinate regional training events and in‑person networking opportunities for the WUSC Local Committee SRP students and program alumni in the Atlantic Region.
• Hold regular check‑ins with WUSC Local Committees and SRP students in the Atlantic Region.
• Maintain and strengthen partnerships with post‑secondary institutions in the Region.
• Identify conferences, networks, and forums to deliver outreach presentations to reach new institutions.
• Support the development and rollout of an alumni engagement strategy in the Atlantic Region.
• Represent the SRP and participate in events held by WUSC’s Local Committee Network.

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

• Support Salesforce implementation for SRP modules to ensure required content is collected.
• Support data collection and entry of data required by the SRP.
• Identify best practices across the program to document and share lessons learned.
• Prepare and contribute to reports as required.
• Contribute to the development of standard program policies, processes, and procedures related to the SRP.

Other

• Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust, respect, and safety.
• Create a work environment free from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH).
• Ensure high standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH are in place, consistent with WUSC’s safeguarding policies and Code of Conduct.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications and Competencies

Education

• A degree or diploma in social sciences, global development, project management, or a related field, or equivalent working experience.

Experience & Competencies

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in youth engagement, community mobilization, or volunteer management.
• Experience working for a non‑profit preferred.
• Experience as a Local Committee member with lived experience as a refugee, an overseas volunteer, or in international development, forced migration, and/or immigration.
• Demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of WUSC.
• Knowledge of refugee resettlement or settlement sector, Canadian immigration system and processes, volunteer management and coordination, project management, and youth engagement.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent capacity‑building skills with demonstrated experience in effective training, coaching, and facilitation.
• Strong computer skills (e.g., Google Suite) essential.
• Effective interpersonal and influencing skills, including the ability to build relationships, network, and communicate effectively in a cross‑cultural context.
• Strong personal initiative, resourcefulness, hard work, optimism, and capacity to work individually and as a team.
• Detail‑oriented team player who can motivate others, manage multiple priorities, and solve problems with diplomacy and a positive attitude.
• Curious, enthusiastic, and willing to innovate and adapt.
• Superior communication skills (oral and written) with a clear, concise, persuasive writing style.
• Must be available for occasional weekend and evening work. Time in lieu will be provided.
• Must have a valid driver’s licence or be working toward obtaining one.

Travel

• Ability and willingness to travel within Canada.

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, providing exciting opportunities to apply your skills, gain experience, and make a difference in the lives of youth worldwide.

Benefits

• 35‑hour workweek with flexible hours.
• Remote‑friendly workplace with free access to our Ottawa office.
• Four weeks annual leave.
• Ten paid sick days and five special leave days.
• 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 worldwide. We expect the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives, and partners to correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence and 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 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.