WUSC is a Canadian registered international development nongovernmental organization with a field presence in Ghana since 1997. WUSC Ghana has been contributing towards the national development goals through partnerships with the government of Ghana, civil society, district assemblies, communities and key development actors.

Description Of Job

The Volunteer Cooperation Programme - Uniterra 2009-2014 - contributes through national approaches to poverty reduction and sustainable development in 13 developing countries including Ghana. To this end, Uniterra will rely on the previous programme's achievements (2004-2009) and successful strategies by continuing to strengthen the capacities of partner organisations by further developing partnerships and by fostering an increase in their potential to influence sector policies. The sectors of interventions are: Promoting Good Governance, Supporting Private Sector Development, Improving Health Outcomes, and Strengthening Basic Education; and as cross-cutting themes: Equality between Women and Men, and Environmental Sustainability.

This five year programme is jointly implemented by World University Service of Canada (WUSC) and the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI), and financially supported by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) with an annual budget of about CA $12 millions. It allows the mobilization of about 400 volunteers every year from Canada, developing countries as well as from Canadian and southern organizations and networks.

In Ghana, Uniterra is implemented by WUSC and focused on the Strengthening Basic Education sector. About 44 persons will be recruited every year for assignment between two weeks to two years to support five or six partner organizations of the sector.

Mandate:
Under the supervision of the Country Coordinator for Uniterra in Ghana, the Sector Programme Officer will support the partners and the volunteers working in Basic Education in Ghana to help achieve the results intended for the Programme. The incumbent will be responsible for enacting a participatory management process centered on results (planning, follow up activities and reporting results) and will furnish technical assistance to different interveners of the Programme. The incumbent will co-ordinate the responsibilities related to the implementation of the Programme.

Responsibilities:

•  Provide insight into sectoral planning strategies. Make sure priorities are geared towards the involvement of partners and volunteers during different stages depending on the methodologies established in the Management Manual
•  Facilitate the implementation of support the consolidation of the sectoral committee and favour collaboration and synergy between programme partners, particularly in relation to political discussions
•  Manage partner agreements between the Programme and the partners from the South and from Canada
•  In strict collaboration with the sectoral committee, monitor delays over the year at the same time respecting the directives given in the Management Manual for the Programme
•  Support partners and volunteers in the elaboration and management of the projects in order to identify and achieve attainable results and ensure the reporting of country/sector Programme results
•  Assist partners in identifying where support is needed and help them to identify these needs as realistic needs for the volunteers
•  In close collaboration with the recruitment officer in Canada, specify the mandate and the profile required from volunteers according to the potential Canadians offer
•  Assist the Uniterra Country Coordinator with the recruitment process of national and Southern volunteers
•  Using an information technology system, document the recruitment process; do follow ups on progress and overall status of the volunteer's assignment
•  Assist the volunteers during their assignment and help them attain the mandate that was set forth
•  Support partners South-North and South-South in order to maximize their contribution towards the programme's development and public engagement results
•  Furnish technical sectoral support to the partners and volunteers (training, follow-ups, etc)
•  In collaboration with the Knowledge Management Unit, contribute and gather content rich material from staff, volunteers and Programme partners
•  Encourage the development and use of best practice methods and techniques recognized for that sector and, in collaboration with the knowledge. Management Unit based in Canada, contribute and gather content rich material from staff, volunteers and Programme partners
•  With the support of the Gender Equality Specialist based in Canada, integrate or ensure the integration of gender equality in all programme activities and, if necessary, organize training
•  Integrate the Programme's gender equality strategy and ensure follow-up evaluations on gender equality results
•  Support partners and volunteers in their efforts to secure financial resources to ensure the sustainability of the projects and activities implemented in the field
•  If necessary, in conjunction with the partners, perform an environmental analysis in accordance with the rules set forth by CIDA and the country of assignment and according to the directives of the Programme
•  Contribute to WUSC Ghana programme development initiatives

Terms and Conditions:
Employment: One year contract - renewable to until march 2014
Preferred Start date: October 1, 2012
Location: Based in Accra, Ghana and  employed by WUSC
Travel: Yes, in country and some travel in the region
Salary and Benefits: In accordance with current terms at WUSC

Qualification Required & Experience

•  Graduate Degree in a related discipline or relevant experience
•  Minimum five years experience in a related field
•  Relevant knowledge of the education sector in Ghana
•  Experience developing partnerships and networks
•  Experience in needs analysis, capacity building and training
•  Relevant experience in managing budgets
•  Knowledge of national strategies for poverty reduction of poverty and national politics in the basic education sector
•  Excellent knowledge of information technology and data processing software (particularly Word and Excel)
•  Written and oral proficiency in English. Additional knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an asset
•  Good knowledge of Results Based Management and the principles of international volunteerism
•  Experience with international volunteers overseas in an added advantage
•  Experience in Program Development

How To Apply For The Job

Interested persons should send application letters and their curriculum vitae (CV) to:

wuscghanaoffice@wusc.ca

Closing Date: 30 September, 2012

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