Community Program Officers, Regions 1, 7 and 8

POSITION TITLE

Community Program Officers, Regions 1, 7 and 8

POSITION LOCATION

Guyana

REPORTS TO

Regional Specialists, ENGAGE Youth

CONTRACT TERM

Ten (10) Months (full time position)

Number of positions: 6 (2 positions in each of the three regions)

Deadline for submission of applications: Wednesday March 25, 2026.

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.

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.

Position Summary

The Community Program Officers, Regions 1, 7 and 8 will report to Regional Specialists, with accountability to the Programs Specialist, ENGAGE Youth. The Community Program Officers are responsible for supporting implementation of ENGAGE Youth activities in target communities located in Regions 1, 7 and 8.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the ENGAGE Youth team and leaders of target communities to support community led development, planning, and implementation of project activities.
• Support awareness, mobilization and participation in project initiatives of a range of key stakeholders including, Village Council and community leaders, Community Support Officers, members of community organizations, and youth, especially young women.
• Assist in the coordination, mobilization and implementation of capacity development, community and other activities with key stakeholders.
• Support the planning and coordination of ENGAGE Youth project visits, including visits by the consultants, volunteers and other key project personnel and provide guidance, logistical and other support services during the visits and events.
• Work closely with ENGAGE Youth team, community and regional stakeholders to coordinate and facilitate networking among key stakeholders.
• Provide guidance and logistics support for inter and intra-regional networking, exchange, and learning opportunities to share best practices and experiences among youth and other stakeholders, especially young women from Indigenous communities.
• Support research, documentation and dissemination of information to project stakeholders.
• Assist in the collection of data to support reporting on key project indicators.
• Prepare reports for activities implemented including progress reports, training reports, minutes of meetings, and other reports as required by the project.

Education

A Diploma in Project Management, Social Work, Sociology, Public Management, or any other related field; or related qualification or certificate in project or community development, mobilization, networking, stakeholder engagement or similar field.

Experience

• At least 3 years of related experience working in community development.
• Experience in working with youth in areas such as, education, economic development and gender equality.
• Proven skills in project management, documentation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Experience working in and with remote Indigenous communities, international development agencies, government or non-government organization is an asset.

Competencies

• Mentoring and coaching;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills;
• Capacity to work with minimal supervisor;
• Good organization, planning, coordination, time management and problem solving skills;
• Ability to use computer to develop and produce project documents such as, reports;
• Excellent interpersonal, cultural sensitivity and engagement skills;
• Ability to be proactive, flexible and to adapt to changing situations;
• Capacity to manage several priorities, meet tight deadlines and work under pressure;
• Ability to travel locally and regionally, sometimes on extended assignments and under challenging conditions;
• Demonstrable commitment to gender equality and youth empowerment;
• Fluency in English and Indigenous language an asset.

Applications

WUSC Caribbean’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 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.