Deadline: 07 June, 2021

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Plan International is seeking to fill the role of Thematic Sector Lead, Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship.

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership in relation to Plan International policies and practices with respect to SOYEE, overall technical leadership on youth employment and entrepreneurship programming, policy influencing and advocacy, capacity building, people development, partnership, representation, studies and evaluation of the SOYEE sector
• Provide leadership and oversight in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all youth employment and entrepreneurship project activities, and assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of programme interventions and activities
• Act as resource person in the organisation for SOYEE and keep self updated with development happening
• Lead in formulating country-specific policies, strategies and objectives on youth employment and entrepreneurship for quality programming
• Regularly develop and submit progress reports, status updates and briefs on emerging issues to relevant team members
• Represent the organisation in relevant national and regional forums and platforms at international level on youth employment and entrepreneurship programmes
• Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximise impact of Plan International’s work
• Develop and implement policy advocacy action plan related to youth employment and entrepreneurship theme using all relevant tools and techniques and in close collaboration with the influencing and communications team
• Ensure proactive engagement in internal and external environment, networks, collation and alliances
• Lead and deliver quality project/programme development in line with the organisation’s country strategy to compete in funding opportunities
• Present and share lessons, best practices, approaches and tested models for donors, government and other stakeholders, partners and alliances to further scale up and reach wider beneficiaries as well as influence and attract more resources
• Build the capacity of Plan International Ethiopia staff, and strategic partners to promote SOYEE, with specific emphasis on building adolescent girls and young women’s life and business skills and link them to employment and/or entrepreneurship opportunities
• Provide technical recommendations to improve the design of any project or program to ensure that they meet the quality standards and industry best practices
• Provide demand-driven technical support to key departments and units within the organisation and ensure high quality programme (design and implementation) and influencing work
• Document, share and disseminate lessons learnt and accumulative experience of SOYEE activities
• Set and communicate ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how they contribute to Plan International’s purpose
• Set high standards for self and others’ behaviour, inside and outside work
• Hold self and others to account for what was agreed, dealing with poor performance quickly, firmly and constructively
• Create a positive team spirit, helping people work well together, to reflect and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of what the organisation does
• Collaborate with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking input
• Motivate and develop others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them develop their potential
• Support team to understand the local operating environment and to consider the implications for work activities
• Adjust work activities and practices to reflect the political, financial, social and cultural context
• Manage risk
• Contribute to strategic planning activities
• Schedule and manage resources aligned to donor and organisational requirements and individual capacity
• Manage internal and external projects in accordance with the project management and MERL principles
• Manage performance by providing clear objectives, access to developmental tools and opportunities for coaching and mentoring
• Cascade knowledge throughout the organisation by sharing key messages, attending team meetings and working collaboratively with other teams or departments

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Economics, International Development, Livelihood, Social Work or equivalent field relevant to Plan International’s work
• Eight years, minimum, of experience, with three years in supervisory position
• Demonstrable experience of leading the development and implementation of programme and influencing models in development and humanitarian settings on youth employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, advancing children’s rights and/or gender equality in a national context
• Experience in capacity building, training and facilitation in soft and hard skills, job creation, and community managed saving and loan association, working with microfinance institutions, value chain, business development, market analysis, ICT4D, etc
• Knowledge and experience in rights-based and gender transformative programming and influencing
• Experience in leadership, working with vocational training centres, liaising and networking with local implementing partners, and private sectors
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant government policies, strategies, programmes and priorities related to youth employment, entrepreneurship and livelihood
• Understanding of government and private sector policies and programmes in vocational/skill training and job placement

To apply and for more information, click here.

Photo source: ILRI