Program Officer, Labour Mobility (Atlantic Canada)

POSITION TITLE: Program Officer, Labour Mobility

POSITION LOCATION: Remote, based in Atlantic Canada (NS/PEI)

REPORTS TO: Manager, Labour Mobility

CONTRACT TERM: Full time, 1 year contract

SALARY RANGE: PRO 1 (CAD 53,000 - 62,000)

LANGUAGES REQUIRED: English

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 12th, 2026

EXPECTED START DATE: June 29th, 2026

Are you experienced with settlement and integration or newcomer employment in Atlantic Canada? WUSC is currently looking for a Program Officer to support labour mobility candidates and mobilize welcoming communities.

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’s Labour Mobility Portfolio

Atlantic Canadian employers are facing significant labour shortages, and there are millions of displaced persons around the world who have the skills, training, language and work experience that businesses are seeking.

Since 2019, WUSC has been a leader in pioneering refugee labour mobility in Canada as a durable solution for displaced young people. Our journey began with the Hospitality Industry welcomes Refugee Employment Solutions (HIRES) pilot, which later evolved into utilizing Canada’s Economic Mobility Pilot Program (EMPP), bridging the gap between entry-level labour needs and refugee youth seeking permanent protection and economic stability. Today, WUSC has strategically expanded into skilled, regulated sectors with the launch of the Train to Hire (T2H) pilot (using the Jordan Pharmacy Licensure Pathway), in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator. This innovative pilot supports displaced pharmacy graduates in Jordan as they achieve Canadian accreditation and secure employment in Nova Scotia. This initiative is designed to connect identified labour market needs with qualified refugee talent, through coordinated pathways linking recruitment, immigration, credential navigation, and settlement support. Building on this momentum, and aligned with its 5-year strategic plan, WUSC is committed to scaling both the quality and quantity of resettlement and relocation opportunities, leveraging strategic partnerships to create sustainable pathways for refugee youth to successfully establish and restart their lives in Canada.

This role will support WUSC’s evolving labour mobility initiatives as it seeks to scale its efforts in new employment sectors, and across new geographies, in particular across Atlantic Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Manager - Labour Mobility, the Program Officer - Labour Mobility role will support skilled refugee relocation and settlement through economic immigration pathways across Eastern Canada. The successful candidate will build and maintain positive relationships with community stakeholders to foster welcoming, inclusive communities and workplaces for refugees and newcomers.

Immigration & Candidate Relocation Support

• Coordinate the review and submission of immigration forms and track immigration milestones and processes in collaboration with WUSC team and external partners;
• Work collaboratively with overseas country staff to support beneficiaries information and training pre-departure that builds Canadian employment readiness; and
• Support the private sector with international recruitment processes, track employment offers, contribution fees, and associated administration.

Mobilizing Welcoming Communities / Settlement Stakeholder Engagement

• Coordinate newcomer arrival plans with employer and other partners;
• Help mobilize and liaise with economic development partners and settlement agencies to activate regional welcoming and retention strategies;
• Develop tools, materials and resources to support the participation of community members in settlement support of refugee labour mobility beneficiaries;
• Develop and deliver training to stakeholders as needed;
• Advocate and support where gaps remain in settlement service access; monitoring the needs of current labour mobility beneficiaries;
• Help maintain partnerships with employers, economic development partners, and community service providers; that support positive settlement outcomes and trust in novel labour mobility pipelines;
• Monitor remaining Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program sponsorship cases, including the social and financial requirements, and provide support to overcome barriers faced during sponsorship; and
• Provide touch points with remaining Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP) beneficiaries, as needed.

Data Management & Monitoring, Evaluation, Reflection and Learning

• Maintain and update electronic program records in compliance with funder and WUSC;
• Support data collection activities to monitor and evaluate the pilot;
• Respond to information requests and contribute to preparation of reports, as required; and
• Identify best practices across the program to document and share lessons learned on scaling refugee labour mobility.

Work Environment

• Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust, respect and safety.
• Create a working environment is free from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH)
• Ensure high standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH are in place consistent with the WUSC's safeguarding policies and WUSC's Code of Conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• A university degree in refugee studies, social sciences, global development, project management, business administration, or equivalent working experience.

Experience & Competencies

• A minimum of 1 year related professional experience, with significant experience in newcomer settlement; refugee sponsorship, and/or employer engagement;
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the following areas:
  • newcomer settlement & community integration or refugee sponsorship
  • newcomer employment and Canadian labour standards
  • Canadian immigration system and processes
  • data management and coordination
  • building and strengthening partnerships with private and public sectors
• Effective interpersonal and influencing skills, including the ability to build relationships, network, communicate and build capacity in a cross-cultural context are essential;
• Proven ability to produce quality work and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders; under pressure or tight deadlines
• Strong computer skills including the use of Google Suite, and attention to detail;
• Strong personal initiative, resourcefulness and capacity to work remotely both individually and as a team;
• High degree of comfort working in changing and/or uncertain environments;
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Ability to multitask, adapt and problem solve;
• Demonstrated diplomacy and patience;
• Valid drivers licence or working towards obtaining one is a strong asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages

• Complete fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or French is an asset.

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 in Canada:

• 35-hour workweek, ability to work flexible hours
• Remote-friendly workplace, with free access to our Ottawa office
• 4 weeks annual leave
• Paid sick days (10) and special leave days (5)
• Extensive health and dental coverage for you and your dependents, 100% covered by us
• Group RRSP contributions, from day 1
• 300$ reimbursement for home office equipment
• 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. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check.

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. Candidates must be legally allowed to work in Canada. Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

We may utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to facilitate the initial screening of applications based on criteria outlined in the job description. The ultimate decision to interview and hire is determined by our dedicated hiring team.

#LI-Remote