DREEM Grants Officer, Pan Africa

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:

WUSC is launching the second phase (2026-2031) of DREEM, 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 DESCRIPTION:

The DREEM Grants Officer, Pan-Africa - RLOs is an RLO focused support to ensure effective administration and monitoring of the DREEM Sub-grants, an initiative funded by the Mastercard Foundation. This role also provides operational and technical support to the DREEM Senior Manager, Pan-African in overseeing the full 

cycle of the DREEM Sub-Award ensuring adherence to contractual, legal, donor and financial regulations. This includes grant reporting, budget monitoring, subgrantee oversight and lead audit preparation to ensure accountability

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Grant Management and Administration Support

• Assist in the end-to-end process of handling funding from application to post close out ensuring compliance with regulations, strategic use of funds and achievement of project goals.
• Overseeing activities through progress reports, site visits and expenditure verification to ensure adherence to donor regulations.
• Conducting due diligence assessments of potential partners.
• Filling of key grantee financial documents

2. RLO Capacity Development and Performance Monitoring.

• Training of staff and partners on donor compliance, rules and regulations.
• Tracking progress and deliverables of RLOs.
• Site visits, desktop/online support and technical assistance to RLOs.
• Develop and implement a grantee performance measurement/assessment tool.
• In collaboration with Grants, Finance and the program team, organize quarterly review/assessment meetings with RLOs.

3. RLO Financial Reporting and Payments.

• Manage the flow of funds (disbursements) to RLOs and verifying reports to ensure eligible costs are properly documented.
• Prepare inhouse reports, updates, schedules, as required for projections, planning and decision making.
• Support the preparation, reviews and tracking of grantee budgets.
• Coordinate Joint Review and Sign-off of RLO financial and narrative reports.

4. RLO Compliance, Audits and Risk Management

• Facilitate compliance review meetings, refresher workshops, etc. to foster compliance to donor rules and regulations.
• Conduct spot checks, verifications, visits, reviews of RLO activities and reports.
• Conducting due diligence assessments of potential partners.
• Risk profiling of RLOs by identifying, evaluating and developing risk mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate RLO Audits, both internal and external 

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Commerce, Business Administration, Project Management, Development Studies, or related fields.
• Over 5 years of experience in Finance & Grant management / Audit & Compliance Management for donor funded programs/projects.
• Familiarity with donor regulations and regulations 
• Demonstrated experience in providing coaching and mentoring support to subgrantees on compliance.
• Microsoft Excel expert with strong knowledge of accounting software (e.g., Sage). Previous experience with NetSuite a desirable asset;
• Fluent in English, French Language skills preferred
• Strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

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.

WUSC’s office in Kenya is located in Westlands, off Waiyaki Way. Here’s 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 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. 

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 hr-rh@wusc.ca.

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.