Operations Officer

Operations Officer

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) 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 $40 million. We have over 90 staff in our Ottawa office, and over 200 people overseas implementing 16 development projects in collaboration with donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), the MasterCard Foundation, World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and the African Development Bank.

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is the implementing agency for the Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded five-year project – Empowering the Next Generation: Agency and Gender Equality (ENGAGE Youth) in Guyana. The ultimate goal of ENGAGE Youth is to enhance the empowerment of Indigenous and rural youth, especially young women, in target regions of Guyana.

Project interventions include life skills training and programming; local and international networking, exchange, and learning opportunities; gender equality and youth empowerment-focused community programs; capacity strengthening of key stakeholders; and responsive grants for youth economic initiatives.

The Operations Officer will report to the Project Director, ENGAGE Youth, and is responsible for coordinating and facilitating effective office administrative and logistical support for the project through tasks such as, travel, meeting and accommodation arrangements; procurement and management of assets and supplies; maintenance of office and equipment; managing records; and supervising support staff, suppliers and contractors.

Responsibilities

Logistics

• Coordinate, support and provide travel, accommodation, and other relevant arrangements for project staff and key stakeholders, working in a large number of remote target communities where the project is being implemented.
• Schedule appointments and organize activities such as project meetings, training sessions, and consultations.
• Coordinate and supervise the functions of the Driver and Logistics Assistant to ensure timely, safe, and efficient logistics support.
• Engage and provide guidance to visitors such as suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor office systems and operations including coordinating the necessary office and equipment maintenance and servicing.

Procurement

• Support the efficient operations of the ENGAGE Youth country office in Guyana by coordinating procurement of goods and services (overseas and domestic).
• Develop, plan, and facilitate procurement of assets, goods, and services for the project based on WUSC and donor guidelines.
• Track office supply inventory and facilitate replacement in a timely manner.
• Maintain updated records for suppliers and service providers.

General Office Administration and other Related Duties

• Arrange office space, amenities, and relevant equipment for all staff.
• Ensure effective performance of support staff and maintain a clean and healthy environment through supervision of the Office Housekeeper.
• Serve as the go-to for office inquiries and work closely with staff and stakeholders to address administrative issues.
• Develop and maintain an effective filing system, including meeting minutes/notes, contact lists, and documentation.
• Ensure appropriate management of day-to-day project correspondence, information sharing, filing, and follow-up actions.
• Support the implementation and improvement of administrative and logistics guidelines, systems, and procedures.
• Provide program, safety and security support, as required.
• Support orientation of new staff and volunteers.
• Assist in the preparation of reports, presentations, memorandums, proposals, and correspondence.
• Assist in the preparation of budgets and expenses under the guidance of the Finance Manager.
• Perform other related duties as determined by the Project Director.

Required Qualification and Experience

• A Degree in Project Management, Public Management, Office Administration, or any other related field.
• Minimum of 5 years proven work experience facilitating administrative and logistics support in an office setting; preferably experience facilitating administrative and logistics support for project coordination and implementation;
• Experience working with an international development agency, government or non-government organization is an asset.

Competencies

• Proven knowledge and skills in office administration, project management, documentation, and logistics;
• Knowledge and experience in preparing budgets and handling expenses;
• Exceptional skills with attention to detail and sensitivity to confidential information;
• Works with a high degree of accuracy in preparing and entering information;
• Excellent organizational, planning, coordination, time management and problem solving skills;
• Ability to be proactive, flexible and to adapt to changing situations;
• Demonstrable capacity to manage several priorities, meet tight deadlines and work under pressure;
• Self-directed and able to complete projects with limited supervision;
• Excellent interpersonal, team-building, cultural sensitivity and engagement skills;
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills;
• Highly proficient in the use of Microsoft Office and Google software including Gmail, calendar, drive, spreadsheet, word processing, and presentation software; and
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally, sometimes on extended assignments and under challenging conditions;
• Demonstrable commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment;

Applications

WUSC 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 Caribbean 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.

WUSC Caribbean is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

This position is open to all suitably qualified CARICOM Nationals. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

Suitably qualified persons are invited to submit their cover letter, CV, and the name and contact information for 3 professional references. Deadline for submission: Wednesday August 6, 2025.