Thematic Sector Lead, Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship

Role of Porpose

The position holder will be responsible to support the implementation and realization of the PIE’s strategy by advising the Country Leadership Team (CLT) in formulating inclusive country right/ need specific policies, strategies in Skills & Opportunities for Youth Employment and Entrepreneurships (SOYEE), mobilise resources, manage multi-disciplinary program implementation, leadership role, capacity building accountable to donor engagements, partnership networking, financial management, etc. This would be demonstrated in providing strategic program leadership to the SOYEE team in the development and execution of the country’s strategic plans to deliver high quality programmes in accordance with Plan’s Program quality standards and Plan’s Global Strategy and Programme Framework. 

Accountabilities and Main Work Activities

Program design & management (35%)

• Provide leadership and oversight in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all SOYEE project activities; assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities.
• Leads the design & implementation of the SOYEE program & its component projects & initiatives, ensuring consistency with agreed country strategic goals & objectives as well as high quality delivery.
• Lead in formulating & implementing the SOYEE key interventions that focuses on soft & hard skill trainings, Liaoning with employers achieving employment & entrepreneurship carriers, value chain development (in livestock, honey, oil crops, fruits & vegetables); promotion of community managed saving & loan schemes, business development & ICT4D.

Portfolio development and budget management (20%)

• Solicit grant through concept notes to attract donors who have interests to support.
• Ensure that required concept notes and proposals are developed to support resource mobilization efforts and the attainment of organizational goals.
• Work closely with Grants Compliance and Program staff to ensure good performance in all aspects related to grant management.
• Build and oversee managerial accountability with particular attention to program quality and timely utilization of budgets in line with annual plans, project plans and donor conditions.
• Ensure efficient management of financial resources, including review and approval of program financial budgets, monitoring expenditures, and implementing cost control measures.

Leadership/People Management (15%)

• Lead the harmonization and integration of the Country Office and Program Areas SOYEE teams to ensure a smooth working and enabling environment that engenders good team work, to create operational integration and high performing teams.
• Provide leadership, coaching for results and support to the SOYEE Program team as well as in their individual development and performance management processes.

Partnership development & strengthening (15%)

• Establish links and good relationships with relevant government, NGOs, multilateral and bilateral organizations, academic and research institutions and the media in the area of child survival to draw information and knowledge for program efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop and strengthen the capacity of partner staff in program management & technical aspects.

Policy influence & networking (15%)

• Serve as principal representative to SOYEE networks, platforms and clusters and other institutional spaces.
• Engage with partners and stakeholders and other entities to ensure effective and quality program implementation through collaborative partnerships and alliances, and to positively influence policy debates and policy makers.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Ensures that all staff in the unit/function/department are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies;
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day to day work.
• Ensures that Plan Ethiopia contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.
• Leadership and BUSINESS management COMPETENCIES

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Set and communicate ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how these contribute to Plan International's purpose.
• Set high standards for self and others' behaviour, inside and outside work. Championing our values and commitment to rights, gender equality and safeguarding. Supporting the health, well-being and both physical and psychological safety of our staff, including their safety to speak out.
• Hold self and others to account for what we have 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 we do.
• Collaborate with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input.
• Motivate and developing others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them develop their potential.
• Positive about change and support others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

• Can succinctly articulate the purpose, values, and global strategy to a range of audiences. Can explain how Plan International will deliver on its objectives through the theory of change and communicates the implications for their team.
• Understands the purpose, lines of accountability and decision-making capacity for each structural element of the organization. Helps their team to understand where they sit within the organizational structure.
• Supports their team to understand the local operating environment and to consider the implications for work activities. Adjusts work activities and practices to reflect the political, financial, social and cultural context.
• Manages risk in accordance to the local and global appetites and tolerances.
• Contributes to strategic planning activities.
• Understands the procurement cycle and supply chain, including the importance of good procurement planning.
• Schedules and manages resource aligned to donor and organisational requirements and individual capacity.
• Manages internal and external projects in accordance with the project management and MERL principles.
• Manages performance by providing clear objectives, access to developmental tools and opportunities for coaching and mentoring.
• Cascades knowledge throughout the organisation by sharing key messages, having team meetings and working collaboratively with other teams or departments.

Job Requirements

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Masters in Economics, Agriculture, Livelihood, Social work or equivalent.
• A minimum of eight years of experience out of which three years at supervisory position
• Demonstrated experience in managing youth empowerment/employment or Economic Empowerment projects.
• Experience of managing & developing a multi-disciplinary team including implementing partners
• Experience in Capacity building, training & facilitation in soft & hard skills, job creation, and community managed saving & loan association, working with microfinance institutions, value chain, business development, market analysis, ICT4D, etc.
• Experience in Leadership, working with vocational training centres, liasoning and networking with local implementing partners, and private sectors.
• Clear understanding of relevant governments policies, strategies, programs and priorities related to youth employment and livelihood
• Understanding government private sector policies and programs in vocational/skill training and job placement

Qualifications/ experience desirable:

• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development.

Languages required

• Fluency in English language is essential
• In addition to Amharic, Knowledge of Local Languages is a desirable

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

• Youth employability and skills: working with training providers on life skills and personal skill development to build employability, including self-employability; knowledge & understanding of T-VET providers and work-based learning; understanding labour markets and identifying business opportunities for youth-led businesses; improving career guidance.
• Entrepreneurship and enterprise development: supporting young people to develop enterprises and linking them with funding opportunities.
• Financial inclusion: Including marginalized and excluded people, and particularly girls and women, in the financial systems, including banking and digital finance products for vulnerable groups and use of savings groups; use of cash programming/transfers.
• Private sector engagement: An emerging specialism involving identifying business opportunities for vulnerable and excluded young people; engagement with the private sector (micro SMEs and/or major private sector employers) to provide work-based learning and work, improving employment conditions for youth and young women, and consideration of companies to work with and recruit young people, especially young women.

How to Apply

The closing date for the application in May 28,2023. Qualified candidates should submit the application form found with this link https://jobs.plan-international.org/job-invite/46708/ 

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.  

More information about Plan International can be found on http://plan-international.org  

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we as an organization, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.