Nigeria Partnerships Officer

Job Title: Nigeria Partnerships Officer

Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Contract Term: 1 year, renewable
Department: WUSC Nigeria
Reports To: Nigeria Partnerships Manager

Application deadline: June 23, 2026
Expected Start Date: August 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 currently recruiting a Nigeria Partnerships Officer who will provide support to the delivery of a five-year multi-country project, Pathways to Scale (P2S) supporting the growth of women led enterprises, particularly those led by young rural women. Funded by Mastercard Foundation, P2S is deploying a combination of targeted business development services and access to finance to support the sustainable growth of MSMEs led or owned by women. The project is implemented in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ghana with a broad range of local partners. WUSC works in close partnership with the P2S Access to Finance partner, Seedstars, responsible for capital deployment, with WUSC coordinating business development services delivered in partnership with local Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs). WUSC will implement a robust learning strategy to assess multiple use cases for deploying both financial services and business development support (BDS), and to evaluate their impact on traditionally underserved groups, particularly young women in rural areas. WUSC has the overall management responsibility of the project.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Nigeria Partnerships Manager, the Nigeria Partnerships Officer will support the development, coordination, and management of strategic partnerships for the Pathways to Scale (P2S) project in Nigeria. The Officer will engage partners, support stakeholder coordination, monitor project activities, support existing Nigeria partners, and contribute to the successful delivery of project objectives. His/her roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:;

Partner Relations and Communications:

• Support to maintain effective relationships with key project partners in Nigeria.
• Maintain existing relationships with country level project stakeholders, including the funder, the access to finance lead partner, relevant governments and ESOs.
• Support to ensure that the project can provide value to local actors and make a positive impact within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
• Manage relationships with ESOs, ensuring effective communication, timely delivery of agreed milestones, and compliance with program requirements.

Program Management Support:

• Provide logistical and administrative support for project activities in Nigeria across the different states where the project is being implemented
• Support key project planning deliverables (i.e. Annual Work Plans) using results based management approaches and tools;
• Support the integration of specific strategies for cross-cutting themes (capacity building, gender equality, youth and refugee inclusion, disability inclusion, enterprise support and capital allocation) for the initiative
• Share in WUSC’s commitment and approach to advance gender equality and social inclusion for all young people
• Maintain open and effective communication amongst local partners.

Reporting:

• Provide support to the project team to implement, revise and update the project work plans and strategies
• Contribute to the development of project annual work plans and annual reports for submission to the donor, showcasing success stories and highlighting key results
• Support to monitor ESO reporting and documentation processes, including tracking submissions, reviewing reports and supporting documents for completeness, resolving gaps, and supporting the onboarding of new partners on programme expectations, timelines, and reporting standards.
• Work closely with the Safeguarding and Inclusion Advisor to ensure that the GESI considerations, such as inclusion of refugees, displaced persons and persons with disabilities are integrated into activities according to the GESI strategy and work plan.
• Actively participating in team meetings, stakeholder meetings and other events as required.
• Work closely with the Finance team to manage and monitor the budget allocated to the key activities of responsibility, track ESO invoices and payments and contribute to the financial reports as needed.
• Work closely with the MEL and Data Compliance team to ensure results are being monitored according to the PMF, as well as identifying and highlighting any unintended results.
• Undertake any other tasks assigned by the Nigeria Partnerships Manager.

Work environment

• Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust, respect and safety.
• Adhere to the established standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH (Sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment) consistent with the WUSC's safeguarding policies and WUSC's Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in social sciences, business administration, agribusiness, international/rural development or related field.

Experience & Competencies

• Minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience in partnership management, programme coordination, or stakeholder engagement, preferably within an NGO or development context.

• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting ESOs, civil society organisations, or similar partners in a programme setting.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple workstreams, track complex deliverables, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with project tracking tools.

• Commitment to gender equality, social inclusion, and the safeguarding of programme participants.

• Experience working in agricultural projects in rural Nigeria is an added advantage.

Languages

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Working knowledge of local language(s) in Nigeria will be an advantage.

Location

• The ideal candidate must be based in Lagos, Nigeria.

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.

Here’s some of what you can expect working with us:

• 40-hour workweek, some ability to work flexible hours
• 18 days annual leave
• 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.