Partnerships Coordinator, Small Business Enterprise Growth and Investments in Africa at World University Service of Canada (WUSC)

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 $57 million. We have over 300 staff across Canada and the globe, working in collaboration with a diverse set of donors and partners to achieve our organizational vision.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Partnerships Coordinator, Small Business Enterprise Growth and Investments in Africa

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Contract Term: 2 years, renewable
Department: WUSC Nigeria
Reports To: Project Director
Expected Start Date: April 2025

Responsibilities

• Under the supervision of the project director, the partnership coordinator will act as the project country representative in Nigeria. 
• In collaboration with the project team, the coordinator will be responsible for developing and maintaining partnerships with the local funding office as well as local Enterprise Support Organizations (ESOs) supporting the project implementation. 

The Partnership Coordinator  will be responsible for the following:
Partner Relations and Communications:

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with  key project partners in the geography of focus
• Develop robust relationships with country level project stakeholders, including the donor, the access to finance lead partner, relevant governments and enterprise support organisations.  
• Represent WUSC among stakeholders, ensuring that the project can provide value to local actors and make a positive impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Project Support:

• Provide support for project activities in the geography of focus. 
• Contribute to key project planning deliverables (i.e. Initiative Inception Plan, Annual Work Plans) using results based management approaches and tools;  
• Support the integration of specific strategies for cross-cutting themes (capacity building, gender equality, youth and refugee inclusion, disability inclusion, enterprise support and capital allocation) for the initiative
• Share in WUSC’s commitment and approach to advance gender equality and social inclusion for all young people
• Maintain open and effective communication amongst local partners.

Reporting:

• Work with the project team to implement, revise and update the project work plans and strategies 
• Contribute to the development of project annual work plans and annual reports for submission to the donor, showcasing success stories and highlighting key results
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to manage and monitor the budget allocated to the key activities of responsibility, and contributing to the financial reports as needed
• Work closely with the M&E manager to ensure targets are set, and results are being monitored according to the PMF, as well as identifying and highlighting any unintended results
• Work closely with the Gender Equality Manager to ensure that the GESI considerations are integrated into activities according to the GESI strategy and work plan. 
• Actively participating in team meetings, stakeholder meetings and other events as required.

Work Environment:

• Ability to contribute to WUSC’s organizational culture that respects differences, including sex, age, ability, refugee or migration status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, and other identity factors  
• Support a working environment free from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH) and adheres to the corresponding WUSC safeguarding policies
• Understand own responsibilities towards ensuring high standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH.

Qualifications and Competencies
Education:

• A University Degree in International Development, Business Administration, Finance or other relevant area; or equivalent work experience
• Specialized training in entrepreneurship support, financial inclusion, women’s and/or youth economic empowerment would be an advantage.

Experience requirements:

• A minimum of eight years of experience in economic growth programming
• Experience developing and managing complex partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. 
• Experience working with international development donor agencies - particularly foundations
• Knowledge of  Results Based Management (RBM) and environmental and gender policies and reporting requirements
• Proven administrative and organizational skills
• Proven experience of adaptability to a challenging and constantly changing environment requiring iterative planning on a regular basis
• Proven knowledge of and commitment to the concepts of Gender Equality.

Assets:

• Experience in entrepreneurship ecosystem support, gender lens investment and financial inclusion
• Experience in capacity building with local partner organizations and participatory partnership approaches to development 
• Ability to work with multiple time zone and frequent domestic and international travels.

Languages:

• Complete fluency in English is required.
• Ability to communicate in French a strong asset.

Salary Level
According to local salary scale.

Application Closing Date
28th March, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online