Program Officer

Uniterra is a Leading Canadian International Volunteer Cooperation and Development Program, Jointly Implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI)

Uniterra contributes to improving the socio-economic conditions of poor and marginalized communities in (14) countries and with over (200) partners in Africa, Asia and the Americas through the exchange of expertise and knowledge of Canadian and international volunteers.  Uniterra believes that economic growth, when inclusive, is the most powerful driver of poverty reduction

The purpose of the Uniterra program is to improve the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations by stimulating growth and facilitating access to the benefits of growing and diversified markets. To make this happen, we are working with our local partners to enhance the income of poor and marginalized women and youth through better access to employment and income generation opportunities. Uniterra country program staff work with our local partners to design Uniterra assignments in the context of the country strategy, supporting the inclusion of women and youth in key economic subsectors

We seek the services of a Program Officer

Job Title: Program Officer

Job Location: Accra, Greater Accra

Job Summary

• Reporting to Uniterra Country Coordinator in Ghana, the Program Officer provides support to the Sector Program Officer (SPO), partners and volunteers in pursuit of Uniterra’s target results. He/she shall be provide support in the specific areas of inclusion of Gender and Youth as well as Monitoring and Evaluation, ensuring the use of results-based management (planning, activities monitoring and results reporting) in support of the Uniterra program

Job Description

Gender and Youth Inclusion:

• Tools development and need analysis of the Uniterra program documents and staff
• Develop and facilitate training and learning opportunities for Uniterra in-country staff, volunteers and partners on gender equality 
• Collaborate with local partners to develop strategies and tools to increase the participation of women and female youth and promote their increased access to and control over tailored services and products
• Develop tools and create case studies of best practices in gender mainstreaming
• Ensuring that gender equality and youth inclusion and engagement are taken into account in needs assessments and data gathering, capacity building, knowledge sharing, and partnership development through fixing specific mainstreaming objectives, activities to realize these objectives, and follow up on results 

Monitoring, evaluation (M&E) and reporting:  

• Review and adjust Uniterra partner capacity assessment tools to fit local and partner context and requirements (ie. gender considerations) while ensuring that key reporting data is captured consistently, consolidated and transferred to the M&E Specialist in Ottawa
• Administer the capacity assessment tool (CAT) to local partners and provide set of recommendations on partner context, current organizational capacity and future needs 
• Follow up on Capacity Development Plans of Uniterra Partners to ensure that Uniterra is delivering on results and document gaps for consideration
• Conduct the necessary  data analysis from organizational capacity assessments and workshops to inform local needs and produce useful  results
• Co-design, administer, or supervise data collection activities in relation to volunteer and partner activities

Volunteer mobilization and support:

• Provide support to local partners, program support volunteers and the Country Coordinator, specifically regarding in-country orientation, security implement procedures to support volunteers upon their arrival in Ghana and for their entire stay in country (housing, security, living and working conditions, end of contract issues and emergency medical evacuations)
• Periodically review online annual work plan to ensure it is up to date
• Organize appropriate training/orientation sessions, taking into account the specifics of each mandate, in preparation for the arrival of North-South volunteers and the departure of South-North volunteers
• Coordinate and provide support to partners and volunteers specifically in relation to reporting and gender and youth issues

Qualifications and Requirements

• Degree in Social Sciences (economic development, business development or development studies) or relevant work experience deemed as equivalent
• Two (2) years of experience in gender and youth programming 
• Relevant experience in M&E using the results based Management
• Relevant experience in working in intercultural teams and experience in volunteer management 
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of economic development policies and strategies, particularly in relation to the agricultural sector, business development, youth entrepreneurship, employability, and vocational and technical training 
• An innovative, entrepreneurial spirit
• Proficiency with information technologies and computer skills (Word, Excel, the Internet, etc.) and familiarity with Google Drive and Gmail an asset
• Adherence to the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion principles

Language:

• Proficiency in English; both written and oral