Deputy Project Director

Role Overview

• Provide strategic and technical leadership across DREEM’s three technical pillars
• Lead oversight of project activities
• Support the Project Director in mentoring and coaching project staff
• Ensure that DREEM’s technical assistance approaches are tailored to the needs of diverse partners
• Oversee the development of capacity-building tools, training materials, technical resources, and learning products
• Provide technical guidance to staff and partners
• Support and supervise the recruitment and selection of program staff
• Work with project and donor staff to identify and assess partners
• Ensure that the voices, leadership, and technical contributions of refugee and displaced youth are meaningfully integrated into program design
• Foster relationships with subcontractors, consultants, RLOs, and institutional partners
• Contribute to project reporting, budgeting, work planning, and adaptive management processes
• Ensure quality, consistency, and timeliness of project communication
• Represent DREEM externally when requested

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in International Development, Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or a related field
• Project management certification (e.g., PMP, Prince2) is considered an asset
• Professional fluency in English is required
• French language proficiency is strongly preferred
• Significant experience in international development, specifically within inclusive market systems, higher education, or forced migration sectors on the African continent
• Proven technical expertise in at least one of the following areas: localization and strengthening the capacity of local organizations and/or Refugee-Led Organizations (RLOs), social and academic inclusion of Refugee and Displaced Persons (RDPs) in higher or technical education, the design and provision of high-level technical assistance to institutional partners
• A deep understanding of the specific constraints and systemic challenges faced by refugee and displaced youth, particularly young women
• Extensive experience in project management within development cooperation or technical assistance frameworks, including budgeting and work planning
• Proven track record of mentoring and coaching diverse, cross-cultural teams (including remote management) to build technical and professional competencies
• Exemplary ability to manage complex partnerships and sub-contractors with diplomacy, utilizing a participatory approach to capacity development
• Highly analytical with a proactive, learning-oriented approach and a high attention to detail
• Curious, enthusiastic, and willing to innovate within a dynamic, pan-African work environment
• A demonstrable commitment to WUSC’s mission of building a better world for all young people, specifically displaced and refugee youth.

Tech Stack

• PMP

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements
• Professional development opportunities