Communications Officer, Student Refugee Program (SRP)

POSITION TITLE: Communications Officer Student Refugee Program (SRP)

POSITION LOCATION: Canada (Remote) or Ottawa region (hybrid work model)

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager SRP

CONTRACT TERM: Indeterminate

SALARY LEVEL: PRO 1( $52700 - $62000)

LANGUAGES REQUIRED: Bilingual English/French

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 7th 2026

EXPECTED START DATE: As soon as possible

Are you a dynamic communications professional WUSC is currently looking for a Communications Officer to develop and implement its communications strategy aimed to strengthen the Student Refugee Program.

BACKGROUND

WUSC is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. We bring together and collaborate with a diverse network of partners (including students volunteers schools governments not-for-profits and businesses) who share this mission. Together we influence systems change and foster inclusive youth-centered solutions that enable young people to thrive and belong. We work with all young people with a focus on women and displaced populations. WUSC currently operates in 28 countries across Africa Asia the Middle East and Latin America and the Caribbean as well as in Canada with an annual budget of approximately CAD $65 million. Our global team includes over 100 staff in Canada and more than 250 staff internationally implementing a diverse portfolio of development projects in collaboration with numerous multilateral and bilateral donors and philanthropic foundations.

Amongst other global programs WUSC manages the worlds-longest standing refugee education pathway known as the Student Refugee Program. Over 40 years nearly 3000 students have been resettled to Canada to begin their studies. Each year WUSC works with a network of 100 sponsoring post-secondary institutions and 1200 volunteers to provide peer-to-peer support to arriving refugee students fund the costs of sponsorship and to advocate for institutional and policy changes that support refugee inclusion both on and off campus.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager SRP and in collaboration with the Public Engagement team the Communications Officer SRP will be responsible for developing and implementing the Communications strategy for WUSCs Student Refugee Program and coordinate internal communications with WUSCs youth network in Canada on all relevant WUSC programming.

Public-facing Communications

• Develop a communication strategy for the SRP that aims to increase reach understanding and engagement in support of the programs objectives.
• Transform complex data and information into engaging and relatable stories that resonate specifically for students and postsecondary institutions staff members across Canadas post-secondary campuses.
• Write compelling high quality content for a variety of channels (website blog email social media and multimedia).

Network Engagement & Capacity Strengthening

• Develop and maintain platforms used to communicate and share resources with WUSC youth network (Google Sites and user interfaces).
• Manage communication channels used to engage with the WUSC youth network and coordinate with relevant team members (social media monthly newsletters etc.)
• Feed SRP-related content into WUSC Canada channels and maintain a continuous and vibrant social media presence on WUSCs youth channels for SRP (ie. Instagram TikTok etc.).
• Support the development and delivery of training and tools that seek to enhance the communications capacity of Local Committees.
• Provide ad-hoc support to Local Committees to develop event-related communications strategies.
• Provide support for SRP-related events
  as needed including communications plans photography/videography.

Brand & Quality Monitoring

• Provide quality control for communications products that are published on Local Committee and SRP relevant platforms (Google sites social media channels).
• Monitor SRP-related communication platforms and products to ensure they accurately represent the SRP (verbally and visually) and contribute to the better positioning of the program.
• Monitor Local Committees social media channels to ensure they accurately represent WUSCs work.
• Ensure WUSCs communications standards are followed for all communications related to WUSCs youth network.

Community of Practice

• Participate in WUSCs Communications Community of Practice (composed of WUSC staff and volunteers in Canada and overseas) creating resources and workshops to help build team capacity to craft compelling communications products.
• Act as a liaison between the Communications and the SRP team participating in monthly meetings to identify opportunities for collaboration amplification and leverage of communications products.

Other:

• Facilitate translation of materials and documents and ensure quality standards are met.
• Contribute to contact and stakeholder management database(s) on-line interface(s) and forms;
• Collection and entry of data required by the program and stakeholders;
• Identify best practices across the program to document and share lessons learned;
• Support the visualization and dissemination of program results for reporting purposes;
• Prepare and contribute to reports as required;
• Other responsibilities as required

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• Bachelors degree in Marketing Communications Digital Media or International Development or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Experience & Competencies

• At least 3 years of professional experience in communications role
• Experience working for a non-profit and/or refugee resettlement organization preferred
• Passion for refugee inclusion and demonstrated commitment to the mission and values of WUSC
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French and a demonstrated capacity to transform complex information into engaging and relatable stories that resonate with diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of social media tools and strategies
• Knowledge of wordpress google analytics ZoomCoSchedule Salesforce Mailchimp Adobe suite Indesign Canva and Talent LMS an asset.
• Experience providing guidance and coaching to students
• Strong computer skills (e.g. Google Suite Salesforce) essential
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
• A self-starter with the ability to multitask
• Must be motivated creative hardworking optimistic and a team player
• Must be available for occasional weekend and evening work. Time in lieu will be provided
• Curious enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Occasional travel to attend in-person events and team retreats

• *** Must have a valid drivers licence or being working towards obtaining one

Languages

• Bilingual in English and French essential.

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. 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.

Heres some of what you can expect working with us in Canada:

• 35-hour workweek ability to work flexible hours
• Remote-friendly workplace with free access to our Ottawa office
• 4 weeks annual leave
• Paid sick days (10) and special leave days (5)
• 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

WUSCs 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.

Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in the application process or those needing job postings in an alternative format may e-mail a request to

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.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority