POSITION TITLE: Senior Public Engagement Officer
POSITION LOCATION: Ottawa, Canada (hybrid work model)
REPORTS TO: Manager, Public Engagement
CONTRACT TERM: October 31, 2027 (18 months)
SALARY LEVEL: PRO2 (CAD 60,000 to 72,500)
LANGUAGES: Fluency in both English and French is required
APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 4, 2026
EXPECTED START DATE: June 2026
Are you passionate about engaging Canadians in global development? WUSC is currently looking for a Senior Public Engagement Officer to support WUSC’s public engagement strategy, and mobilize our network of international volunteers and alumni.
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.
Volunteering for development is one of the important ways in which WUSC pursues its mission. WUSC has ambitious targets to mobilize hundreds of skilled Canadian volunteers each year to support partners in lower-income countries where we are working to advance gender equality and facilitate economic opportunities for poor and marginalized young people. In Canada, this network of volunteers, along with other members of the WUSC network works for us to raise awareness among Canadians to inspire greater action on global development issues.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Manager, Public Engagement, the Senior Public Engagement Officer is responsible for engaging WUSC’s network of international volunteers and alumni to deliver public engagement activities and actively participate in WUSC’s campaigns. The Senior Public Engagement Officer also plays a key role in planning, delivering, monitoring and evaluating WUSC’s public engagement initiatives and events.
Public Engagement Events & Initiatives
- Lead on the development and implementation of WUSC’s campaigns and resources, in collaboration with the team.
- Contribute to the conception, implementation and promotion of WUSC in-person and virtual events and initiatives, targeting international volunteers, alumni, and the general public.
- Participate in the development and implementation of cross-organizational public engagement and mobilization campaigns
- Cross-departmental collaboration with the other teams in Canada and in other countries in which WUSC works, in the context of the activities mentioned above.
- Collaboration with other Public Engagement team members to ensure consistent communication and coordination among our various audiences.
- Support strategic positioning efforts related to the Volunteer Cooperation Program.
Represent WUSC at various in-person and virtual events.
Network Mobilization for Public Engagement
Volunteer & Alumni Engagement
- Support the design, development, organization, preparation and delivery of pre-assignment training courses and activities for volunteers, in person and online, in both official languages.
- Facilitate the public engagement section of the returned volunteer debrief, in-person and online.
- Develop public engagement resources (e.g. checklists, templates, guides) for international volunteers and other key audiences.
- Ensure continuous communication with mobilized volunteers on public engagement and fundraising campaigns, events, and opportunities.
- Provide one-on-one support for volunteers’ and alumni public engagement activities (virtual and in-person), offering ideas, guidance and support. Oversee the budget and allocation of funds for volunteer public engagement activities.
- Develop and implement strategies, work plans, activities and budgets for volunteer alumni engagement.
- Develop new cross-organization alumni engagement initiatives (e.g. speakers bureau, networking events) to mobilize and engage alumni in new and meaningful ways.
Storytelling for Public Engagement
- Develop written content (blogs, webpages) and support the dissemination of communications;
Collaborate with country offices and partners to collect and disseminate stories of change to the Canadian public. - Lead on social media content development to support public engagement campaigns, share volunteer stories, or promote events;
- Develop marketing material and other content to support the work of the public engagement team (in both official languages).
- Develop digital engagement tools and campaigns.
- Collaborate closely with the corporate communications team to amplify volunteer and program stories, and public engagement activities of volunteers.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
In collaboration with lead M&E team members:
- Develop the tools and support volunteers to track the public engagement and fundraising activities, reach, and impact of their public engagement efforts.
- Collaborate with the M&E and Public Engagement team to develop processes and ensure compliance for volunteer and member data management in WUSC’s database.
- Lead on data collection of event delivery, capture detailed engagement after each event and initiative.
- Identify and explore areas of growth in the public engagement strategy.
- Feed public engagement and communications results into relevant annual reports to funders.
Administrative Tasks
- Prepare and submit financial requisitions for the public engagement team.
Identify and liaise with external suppliers for procurement and to ensure brand exposure or promotion of events or projects. - Provide cover for other team members, as required.
- Undertake specific additional responsibilities from time-to-time, as agreed upon with the Manager, Public Engagement.
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
Education
University degree in a relevant field (e.g. communications, public relations, international development, community management).
Experience & Competencies
- At least 5 to 7 years of work experience in public engagement, preferably in a communications and/or events role.
- Significant experience helping design and execute plans for public campaigns, including digital campaigns, and consultations, community liaison, events and outreach, educational programs and other engagement initiatives.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated capacity and willingness to work in partnership and with different cultural groups; staff and volunteers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French, and a demonstrated capacity to adapt communications for diverse audiences.
- Demonstrated commitment to the principles of gender equality and international cooperation.
- Excellent computer skills; experience with Google Suite an asset
- Previous experience in fundraising an asset.
- Previous experience with a media monitoring tool is an asset.
- Ability to prioritize, organize, work independently, and take initiative.
- Ability to think critically and with an interest in improving processes.
- Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.
Languages
Complete fluency in English and French is required.
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 and economic opportunities.
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
- Parental leave top-up
- 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.
How to apply
Please apply through our portal here.