DREEM Finance and Grants Assistant, 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 has launched 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 Finance and Grants Assistant, Pan-Africa will support the projects RLO/ financial operations and compliance. This includes supporting RLO Administration and Management, by processing payments, tracking expenditures and managing grant documentation. This includes maintaining accurate records, preparing grants/finance summaries, monitoring RLO budgets and ensuring compliance to both donor and organization policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. RLO Management & Administration: 

Assist in preparing and processing RLO proposals, budgets and agreements.

Assist in coordinating / reviewing RLO financial deliverables ensuring compliance with Mastercard Foundation and WUSC

Support the preparation of internal RLO related reports.

Serve as a point of contact for RLOs, answering inquiries regarding applications during RFPs.

2. Grants and Finance Hard and Soft Copy Record Management: 

Develop and maintain a unified system records management system for both hard and soft copy centralised physical and digital documents using consistent naming conventions, strict access and controls and secure data back ups to ensure absolute transparency and audit readiness.

3. Budget Support: 

Aids in tracking budget lines, reconciling expenditures, and identifying discrepancies in financial RLO reports.

Assist in drafting project budgets, proposal financial inputs, and budget revisions.

4.Coordination Support: 

Focal point in liaising Finance, Grants and Programs team activities, meetings etc for alignment, planning, etc

Note: This job description is intended to outline the general scope and level of responsibilities for the role. As the DREEM programme evolves, duties and priorities may be adjusted in line with programme needs, donor requirements, and team structure, provided they remain consistent with the role’s purpose and level.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 2–4 years of professional experience in accounting, finance,grants management or related fields. Experience with donor-funded projects is highly desirable.
• Professional Certification: Partial or full certification in CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants).
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Excel (pivot tables, formulas), and computerized accounting software.
• Competencies: Strong numerical skills, meticulous attention to detail, high integrity, and the ability to handle confidential information

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