[Consultancy] SRP Tracer Study

Terms of Reference

SRP Tracer Study

2026

*** Description en français ci-dessous ***

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 10, 2026

EXPECTED START DATE: Sept 1, 2026

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. 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 40+ 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.

PURPOSE, OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The Student Refugee Program (SRP) has partnered with the Canadian post-secondary community to provide opportunities for refugee youth to continue their post-secondary education in Canada through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program since 1978. In recent years, the program has expanded to provide a diverse range of education opportunities at Universities, Colleges and CEGEPS. The global and national context in which WUSC works has considerably changed in recent years, making it more complex to pursue and expand opportunities for refugees through the Student Refugee Program.

The purpose of the Tracer Study is to provide evidence of the changes that the SRP has contributed to, and inform strategies for further expanding the SRP in Canada.

The objectives of the Tracer Study are to:

1. Examine the critical factors driving positive academic, social, and economic outcomes for SRP students, with a specific focus on the role of extended financial support past the first 12 months of legal sponsorship in Canada.
2. Assess and document the short- and long-term changes experienced by resettled refugee students, their families and communities, providing insights on their educational completion rates and subsequent employment trajectories, as well as their agency, well-being and sense of belonging.
3. Investigate how different SRP sponsorship funding models contribute to or hinder student success and program sustainability.
4. Identify operational successes and systemic challenges ("what works and what does not") within the current SRP framework.
5. Formulate strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening the SRP's design, funding mechanisms, and delivery models.

The SRP Tracer Study is national in scope (ie. Across Canada) and will include a timeframe from the lifetime of the program ( 1978- present). The study will collect and analyze data in both English and French.

KEY DELIVERABLES

The selected Consultant (including Organization or Firm) will oversee all aspects of the Tracer Study, including refining the key research questions and related research design, maintaining ethical standards, conducting a literature review, carrying out the data collection and analysis, and drafting the final report.

The Consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

• Inception Tracer Study report outlining the methodology and tools, research questions, data analysis plan and work plan
• Draft Tracer Study report outlining key preliminary findings
• Validation/interpretation workshop with the project team, and other key project stakeholders
• Final Tracer Study report incorporating feedback from WUSC and addressing any comments or concerns
• Presentation of the Tracer Study report, including a summary of key findings.

TARGET POPULATION

The Tracer Study shall be conducted across the SRP in line with the scope of study. The SRP Alumni will be traced after six months of end of sponsorship.

Suggested sample size and mode of data collection envisaged for the Tracer Study is as follows:

1. The study will cover sample from over 80% of the 3000 SRP Alumni
2. The sample size should ensure capturing a diverse geographic communities, and types of institutions of study.

DURATION

The consulting services are being desired for a maximum duration of 8 months from the date of contract signing. The period of the contract is expected to be from September 2026 to March 2027.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience in Social Sciences/Humanities, Higher Education Sector, Refugee Resettlement or another closely related discipline.
• Proven experience in primary research methods (interviews, focus groups, surveys) and research design that ensure culturally sensitive and accurate data collection.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and synthesize research findings, particularly for non-academic audiences (e.g., through the development of tools and/or guidelines).
• Have exceptional writing and oral communication skills in English and in French as an asset.
• Show excellent project management and organizational abilities.
• Demonstrate interest and/or experience in qualitative (KIIs, FGDs, ethnographic observation) research methodologies.
• Capacity to reach the target group in a timely manner.
• Be committed to conducting equity-oriented research, particularly for populations experiencing vulnerability, including students and/or marginalized groups.
• Have the ability to translate complex data into practical adaptive management recommendations for project staff.
• Experience conducting research in Canada.
• Ability to communicate in English is required and French is a significant asset.

APPLICATIONS

• Letter of interest
• Detailed technical proposal clearly demonstrating a thorough understanding of this ToR and including the following:
  • Description of the Capacity and qualifications of the consultant or consulting firm, including previous relevant experience.
  • Description of the proposed approach and methodology, including integration of ethical standards, gender equality considerations and quality assurance.
  • A proposed timeframe detailing activities and a schedule/work plan
  • Team composition, qualifications and level of effort of each proposed team member

• A financial proposal with a detailed breakdown of costs for the study. The budget proposed for this project should include all costs related to achieving proposed project and should not exceed $50,000
  • Itemized consultancy fees/costs
  • Itemized data collection expenses
  • Itemized administrative expenses
  • Validity period of quotations
  • Expected payment plan and method
• Curriculum Vitae(s) of all proposed staff outlining relevant experience
• Names and contact information of three references who can be contacted regarding relevant experience
• A copy of a previous report of similar work undertaken
• A Consulting Firm profile (if applicable).

Additional Application Instructions

• 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.
• 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.
• 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 .
• 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.
• Please note that only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

***

DATE LIMITE DES CANDIDATURES: 10 AOÛT, 2026

DATE PRÉVUE DE DÉBUT: 1er SEPTEMBRE 2026

CONTEXTE

L'EUMC est une organisation canadienne de développement international qui œuvre à favoriser l'éducation et l'épanouissement économique des jeunes personnes. Nous réunissons et collaborons avec un réseau diversifié de partenaires, notamment des étudiant·e·s, des volontaires, des écoles, des gouvernements, des organismes à but non-lucratif et des entreprises, qui partagent cette mission. Ensemble, nous influençons le changement des systèmes et favorisons des solutions inclusives et centrées sur les jeunes qui leur permettent de s'épanouir et de trouver leur place. Nous travaillons avec toutes les jeunes personnes, en mettant l'accent sur les femmes et les populations déplacées. Notre équipe internationale comprend plus de 100 personnes au Canada et plus de 250 dans le monde entier, qui gèrent un portefeuille diversifié de projets de développement en partenariat avec des donateurs multilatéraux et bilatéraux et des fondations philanthropiques.

Amongst other global programs, WUSC manages the world’s-longest standing refugee education pathway, known as the Student Refugee Program. Over 40+ 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.

Parmi d’autres programmes internationaux, l'EUMC met en œuvre le plus ancien parcours de réinstallation par l’éducation au monde, connu sous le nom du Programme d'étudiantes et d'étudiants réfugiés (PÉR). Au cours de plus de 40 ans, presque 3 000 étudiant·e·s ont été réinstallé au Canada pour poursuivre leurs études. Chaque année, l’EUMC travaille avec un réseau de plus de 1 200 bénévoles qui offrent un soutien par les pairs aux étudiant·e·s nouvellement arrivées et 100+ établissements postsecondaires parrains qui financent les coûts du parrainage et plaident en faveur de changements institutionnels et politiques pour favoriser l’inclusion de personnes réfugiées sur les campus et au-delà.

BUT, OBJECTIFS ET PORTÉE DE L'ÉTUDE

Le Programme d’étudiantes et d’étudiants réfugiés (PÉR) collabore avec la communauté postsecondaire canadienne depuis 1978 pour offrir à des jeunes personnes réfugiées l’occasion de poursuivre leurs études postsecondaires au Canada dans le cadre d’une entente privée de parrainage. Au cours des dernières années, le programme s’est élargi pour offrir une gamme diversifiée d’opportunités d’éducation dans des universités, des collèges et des cégeps. Le contexte international et national dans lequel l’EUMC travaille a considérablement changé, rendant plus complexe la poursuite et l’élargissement des opportunités pour les personnes réfugiées par le biais du PÉR.

L’objectif de cette étude de suivi est de fournir des données probantes sur les changements auxquels le PÉR a contribué et d’éclairer les stratégies visant à poursuivre l’expansion du programme au Canada.

Les objectifs de l’étude de suivi sont :

1. Examiner les facteurs déterminants qui favorisent des résultats académiques, sociaux et économiques positifs pour les étudiantes et étudiants du PÉR, avec un accent particulier sur le rôle d’un soutien financier prolongé au-delà des 12 premiers mois de parrainage légal au Canada.
2. Évaluer et documenter les changements à court et à long terme vécus par les personnes étudiantes réfugiées réinstallées, leurs familles et leurs communautés, en fournissant des perspectives sur leurs taux de diplomation, leurs trajectoires professionnelles ultérieures, ainsi que sur leur autonomie, leur bien-être et leur sentiment d’appartenance.
3. Étudier la manière dont les différents modèles de financement du parrainage du PÉR contribuent ou font obstacle à la réussite des étudiant·e·s et à la pérennité du programme.
4. Identifier les succès opérationnels et les défis systémiques (« ce qui fonctionne et ce qui ne fonctionne pas ») dans le cadre actuel du PÉR.
5. Formuler des recommandations stratégiques visant à renforcer la conception, les mécanismes de financement et les modèles de prestation du PÉR.

L’étude de suivi du PÉR a une portée nationale (c’est-à-dire à travers le Canada) et couvrira la période de vie du programme (de 1978 à aujourd’hui). L’étude recueillera et analysera des données en français et en anglais.

LIVRABLES CLÉS

La personne consultante sélectionnée (incluant toute organisation ou firme) supervisera tous les aspects de l’étude de suivi, notamment le raffinement des questions de recherche clés et de la conception de la recherche connexe, le maintien des normes éthiques, la réalisation d’une revue de littérature, la collecte et l’analyse des données, ainsi que la rédaction du rapport final.

La personne consultante devra livrer les éléments suivants :

• Un rapport de démarrage de l’étude de suivi décrivant la méthodologie et les outils, les questions de recherche, le plan d’analyse des données et le plan de travail.
• Une ébauche du rapport de l’étude de suivi soulignant les conclusions préliminaires clés.
• Un atelier de validation/interprétation avec l’équipe de projet et d’autres parties prenantes clés du projet.
• Un rapport final de l’étude de suivi intégrant les commentaires de l’EUMC et répondant à toute observation ou préoccupation.
• Une présentation du rapport de l’étude de suivi, incluant un résumé des conclusions principales.

POPULATION CIBLE

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