Job Description

POSITION TITLE

Senior Program Manager, GRIT Project

POSITION LOCATION

Jaffna, Northern Province, Sri Lanka (with frequent travel to other districts in the Northern Province and occasional travel to Colombo)

REPORTS TO

Project Director

CONTRACT TERM

Two years

SALARY LEVEL

LKR 340,000 – 440,000 (Based on experience and qualifications)

APPLICATION DEADLINE

20 July 2026

EXPECTED START DATE

10 August 2026

Background

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization focusing on three programmatic areas: Economic Opportunities, Education, and Empowerment. Our vision is a better world for all young people. It is a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world in which all young people, especially women and refugees, are empowered to secure a good quality of life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

WUSC currently works in over 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $45 million. Globally, we partner with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty and community leaders that work with us to achieve our mission.

THE GRIT PROJECT

Growth, Resilience, Investment and Training (GRIT) - Building a Gender-Responsive Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Sri Lanka’s North is a 6-year collaborative initiative (2023-2028) that will build sustainable pathways to enhanced economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive growth in Sri Lanka (SL), especially for young women in the North of the country.

This project will test innovative, sustainable models to improve the enabling environment and reduce gender-specific barriers to increase equitable and sustainable growth of start-up, early-stage, and growth-stage enterprises, especially those owned by, operated by, or serving women in the North of SL. The project will be implemented in close collaboration between Sri Lankan and International partners.

Operationally, the GRIT Project has two spheres of implementation: (1) In the Northern Province, where our target participants for core delivery of incubation and acceleration services are located, and (2) in Colombo where ecosystem actors we aim to influence are located, including investors, banks and policy actors.

Nature and Scope

The Senior Program Manager (SPM) oversees the regional programme and operational implementation of the GRIT project in Sri Lanka focusing on service delivery to GRIT project participants. The SPM manages relationships with key stakeholders, including local government, partners, civil society and the private sector.

The SPM acts as the active link between our work in the Northern Province and Colombo, proactively ensuring that our strategies and decision-making at the national level remains contextually grounded and appropriate to realities on the ground, while maintaining a continuous flow of field-level insight, evidence and lived experience to inform and sharpen our institutional approach.

Reporting to the Project Director, the SPM will be responsible for the following:

• Full Job Description available at this Link - https://wusc.bamboohr.com/careers/357?source=aWQ9MjE%3D

Qualifications and Competencies

Education:

• Masters in international development, business administration, finance or other relevant areas.
• Specialized training in entrepreneurship support, investment and/or gender would be an advantage.

Experiences & Competencies:

• Minimum five years of progressively more responsible assignments related to management of development initiatives.
• Knowledge and experience in entrepreneurship ecosystem support and gender lens investing.
• Proven experience engaging the private sector in development programming.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in cross-sectoral collaboration.
• Experience managing technical advisors.
• Experience working with international development donor agencies.
• Knowledge of Results Based Management (RBM) for environmental and gender responsive programming and reporting requirements.
• Proven technical, financial, administrative and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of donor financial and narrative reporting procedures and requirements.
• Proven experience working with a multi-disciplinary and international team.
• Diplomatic skills and the knowledge of cross-cultural, interpersonal communication.
• Proven experience of adaptability to a challenging and constantly changing environment requiring iterative planning on a regular basis.
• Proven knowledge of and commitment to the concepts of Gender Equality and Inclusion.
• Experience in capacity strengthening of local partner organizations and a commitment to a participatory partnership approach to development.

Language

• Working proficiency in English and Tamil is essential. Sinhala is an added advantage.
• Excellent writing and communication skills in English are required.

Why work with WUSC

WUSC offers a dynamic work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees and volunteers exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations. WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Application

If you are interested in this position, Please follow this link to apply through our website. https://wusc.bamboohr.com/careers/357?source=aWQ9MjE%3D

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