Consultancy - Technology Consultancy, Student Refugee Program

World University Service of Canada

2d•Remote

About The Position

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. Amongst other global programs, WUSC manages the world’s-longest standing refugee education pathway, known as the Student Refugee Program. Over 45+ years, nearly 3000 students have been resettled to Canada to begin their studies. Each year, WUSC works with a network of 100+ sponsoring post-secondary institutions, and 1200+ volunteers to provide peer-to-peer support to arriving refugee students, fund the costs of sponsorship, and to advocate for institutional and policy changes that support refugee inclusion both on and off campus. Objectives of the SRP Technology Project The overall vision for this SRP technology project is to support the Student Refugee Program over the coming 5 years (2026-2030) to integrate digitization strategies that improve efficiency, accuracy, credibility and engagement of refugee students and Canadian campus partners. Specifically, WUSC’s objectives are to harness technology that enables staff to more effectively and efficiently manage the refugee student applicant selection and academic matching processes. Scope of Work and Deliverables The SRP Technology Project will be rolled out in phases as funding is secured. This consultancy is phase 1. The purpose of this initial consultancy are to: Validate proposed solutions for the technology tools currently utilized for the SRP application and shortlisting process Research and recommend options for technology system improvements to the SRP application and shortlisting process Analyse options to identify the most beneficial and cost-effective solutions that are compatible with current WUSC systems, i.e. Salesforce or Bamboo HR The specific deliverables of this consultancy are to analyse and recommend system improvements and cost implications for development of the following priority features for the SRP student selection process: Assign a unique identifier to all SRP applicants and automatically flag repeat applicants within current year and past years, identifying changes in their application content Auto-screen out ineligible applicants using standardized, pre-set basic eligibility criteria Enable the scanning of attachments to cross-check against reported information Identify and rank shortlist of applicants using standardized, pre-set secondary screening criteria Enable email templates and mass mailings for regular communications with applicants and selected candidates Further, the following list of secondary improvements are to be taken into consideration in the systems analysis, ideally to be integrated in the future: Identify an AI screening tool that can be integrated into the application process Enable a video upload for shortlisted applicants Integrate Immigration Form data collection into the student record Design an integrated process that can link candidates to academic institutions

Requirements

Consultancy experience supporting charitable sector organizations to develop affordable and effective technology and database solutions
Strong technical knowledge in database system design and management
Excellent knowledge of multiple database technologies, able to analyse and recommend ideal solutions
Strong analytical and research skills
Effective interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
Languages - fluency in English

Nice To Haves

Experience or knowledge of working in low technology environments, such as refugee camps, is an asset

Responsibilities

Validate proposed solutions for the technology tools currently utilized for the SRP application and shortlisting process
Research and recommend options for technology system improvements to the SRP application and shortlisting process
Analyse options to identify the most beneficial and cost-effective solutions that are compatible with current WUSC systems, i.e. Salesforce or Bamboo HR
Analyse and recommend system improvements and cost implications for development of priority features for the SRP student selection process
Assign a unique identifier to all SRP applicants and automatically flag repeat applicants within current year and past years, identifying changes in their application content
Auto-screen out ineligible applicants using standardized, pre-set basic eligibility criteria
Enable the scanning of attachments to cross-check against reported information
Identify and rank shortlist of applicants using standardized, pre-set secondary screening criteria
Enable email templates and mass mailings for regular communications with applicants and selected candidates
Take into consideration secondary improvements in the systems analysis, ideally to be integrated in the future
Identify an AI screening tool that can be integrated into the application process
Enable a video upload for shortlisted applicants
Integrate Immigration Form data collection into the student record
Design an integrated process that can link candidates to academic institutions