Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Safeguarding Officer

POSITION TITLE

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Safeguarding Officer

POSITION LOCATION

Preference for Nairobi, Abidjan, Accra, Kigali, or Addis Ababa

REPORTS TO

Deputy Country Director, DREEM

EXPECTED START DATE

July 2026

APPLICATION DEADLINE

24th April, 2026

Background:

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization driving positive education and economic change for young people around the world. Our vision is a world where every young person thrives and belongs. We believe all young people should have the opportunity to fulfill their aspirations and create their own futures. To help achieve this goal, we develop initiatives that: deliver lasting, measurable impact; are powered by partnerships across the globe; stay true to our core programming principles; and respond to the priorities and aspirations of the people with whom we work.

WUSC is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, and has offices across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Middle East. Our global team of development professionals bring deep expertise and open minds to identify new solutions to old problems and create a better world together. 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 for youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in the communities they serve.

Project Description:

Pending approval, WUSC is launching the second phase (2026-2031) of an exciting initiative, which aims to significantly expand efforts to help refugee, displaced, and host community (RDP) youth, particularly young women, secure dignified and fulfilling work and access education opportunities across Africa. Building on prior successes, this Phase II will deepen engagement in new geographies, strengthen local ecosystems, and equip partners with necessary knowledge and tools for lasting change. A core strategy is emphasizing the engagement and strengthening of Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs) to provide sustainable, locally-led technical assistance.

Over the next five years, Phase II’s ambitious goals include indirectly enabling one million RDP youth to secure dignified work and 35,000 to access education through the provision of expert technical assistance to a broad ecosystem of actors. Key implementation strategies involve working closely with RLOs through three pathways: providing financial access via an RLO Opportunity Fund, strengthening their capacity to provide technical assistance to partners, and embedding them across Phase II’s functional areas. WUSC will serve as a network orchestrator, facilitating connections for scale and training partners and other stakeholders on RDP inclusion. The initiative will achieve its targets by increasing knowledge among partners, enhancing capacity to develop innovative programming, improving collaboration and inclusive policies, and strengthening the institutional ability of RLOs to design, implement, and sustain RDP solutions.

Role Purpose :

The GESI and Safeguarding Officer supports the integration of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), and safeguarding principles across the project's strategy, operations, and implementation, ensuring the project aligns with WUSC's mission for refugee, displaced, and host community (RDP) youth. The Officer will focus on the day-to-day implementation and coordination of GESI and safeguarding activities. Reporting to the Deputy Project Director:

Responsibilities:

GESI & Safeguarding Implementation Support

• Support the implementation and monitoring of the project’s Gender Equality, Social Inclusion (GESI) and safeguarding strategies and action plans, reporting to the Deputy Project Director.
• Ensure GESI and safeguarding principles are systematically integrated into operational workplans, activity design, and partnership agreements.
• Promote the application of the project’s “do no harm” and ethical engagement standards across all community engagement approaches.
• Facilitate safe, inclusive, and culturally appropriate communication and participation with refugee and displaced populations.

Safeguarding Systems & Risk Mitigation

• Support the establishment and maintenance of safeguarding policies, procedures, and incident reporting mechanisms in line with organizational standards
• Assist in conducting project safeguarding risk assessments, particularly those relevant to humanitarian and displacement settings.
• Serve as a point of contact for routine safeguarding inquiries and support the confidential handling of minor concerns, escalating complex issues through appropriate internal safeguarding reporting channels.

Capacity Building & Training

• Coordinate the logistics and preparation for GESI, safeguarding, and PSEA (Protection Against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) training sessions for staff and partners.
• Assist in developing and adapting training materials and guidance for staff and implementing partners.
• Support the mentoring and coaching of GESI and safeguarding focal points within partner organizations and WUSC teams.
  
  

Support to Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs)

• Coordinate with Refugee-Led Organization (RLO) partners to facilitate the delivery of tailored GESI and safeguarding organizational development support.
• Monitor RLO implementation during field visits and document capacity strengthening needs and progress.
• Support efforts to ensure RLOs are engaged as equitable partners in project implementation, learning, and monitoring processes.
  
  

MERL and Reporting Support

• Assist in collecting and validating project data, ensuring it is disaggregated by relevant factors (sex, age, disability, displacement status) to support GESI analysis and adaptive programming.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in gender and inclusion, safeguarding standards, and working within diverse African contexts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, Human Rights, Development Studies, or a related field.
• 3-5 years of professional experience in GESI, safeguarding, or protection, preferably within humanitarian or development contexts in Africa.
• Familiarity with international safeguarding standards, including PSEA and survivor-centred response.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with community-based or marginalized organizations.
• Complete fluency in English (written and verbal) is essential.
• Fluency or professional competency in French is a strong asset.
• Strong organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.

Other requirements:

• The headquarters of this initiative is located in Nairobi, Kenya; the GESI and Safeguarding Officer is expected to be based on the African continent, and must already possess the relevant work authorizations in the country they are/will be residing in.
• The role will require frequent travel across the continent, and occasional international travel for conferences, workshops and meetings;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule.

Why Work with WUSC?

Join Us. Our work is important, cutting-edge, and fast-paced. We encourage curiosity, innovation, and flexibility, and we provide a phenomenal learning experience.

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.

WUSC's office in Kenya is located in Westlands, off Waiyaki Way. Here is some of what you can expect working with us:

• 40-hour workweek, some ability to work flexible hours, and a hybrid work arrangement
• 21 days of annual leave
• Health insurance coverage
• Free access to an e-learning platform with 350+ courses on various topics
• Get to know and exchange with people from all over the world
• Being part of a friendly, caring, and enthusiastic team!

Applications

WUSC's 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 where appropriate.

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 [email protected].

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. Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.