Mercy Corps is posting this role on behalf of Restless Development ABOUT RESTLESS DEVELOPMENT

We know young people have the power to solve the challenges we face in our world, but they are being ignored and overlooked. We are the agency that works with young people so they can lead in solving those challenges. Whether that means supporting communities to end child marriage or prevent HIV, we work with young people to change their lives and the lives of people in their communities.

Our programmes are genuinely life-changing, but can’t do any of this without talented, creative individuals at every level of our organization.

OUR APPROACH TO SAFEGUARDING

Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organizational imperative with primacy over the success of programs or strategic objectives. We recognize that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our Safeguarding Policy.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Restless Development is seeking a dynamic and passionate Positive Youth Development Lead for an anticipated five-year USAID-funded Integrated Youth Activity (IYA). The purpose of the proposed activity is to empower youth to advance their own economic, civic and social development through: 1) Increased youth capacity for advocacy and agency; 2) Creating new youth economic opportunities; and 3) Increased access for youth to essential services that are more youth friendly. The activity has two key foundational result areas that envision to see: 1) Establishment and/or strengthening of democratic and representative local, regional, and national youth groups and networks to promote resilience and economic, civic, and social development; and 2) Creating and utilizing an innovative youth-led funding mechanism. The Positive Youth Development Lead will be responsible for overall integration of Positive Youth Development principles and approaches into the IYA.

The Positive Youth Development Lead will be based in Addis Ababa, hosted by one of our partner organisations, Mercy Corps. 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job title: Positive Youth Development Lead

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Salary: USD 30,000 per annum

Preferred start date: July 2021

Length of contract: 5 years

Visa requirements: Must have the right to work in Ethiopia

Reports to : Chief of Party but will be technically backstopped by the Restless Development team based both in Uganda and US

Expected travel: National travel

KEY PRIORITIES

 Program-wide:

• Provide technical assistance in formulation of IYA governance structure to ensure it incorporates youth leadership and that youth voice is central in decision-making and ongoing reflections on implementation and adaptations
• Provide overall technical assistance to the consortium to ensure the programming principles of authentic youth engagement, inclusive leadership and demand-driven activities are reflected across all interventions
• Support youth-led formative research, working with universities, to ensure all aspects of the program are informed by and responsive to youth interests (e.g. economic opportunities)
• Ensure that USAID’s Positive Youth Development (PYD) approaches are integrated into activity design and implementation.

Technical Assistance to youth-led programming:

• Support key youth-serving institutions (e.g. Youth Federation, Youth associations) to increase capacities and transform processes to enhance the voice and role of youth
• Provide technical expertise in approaches for mobilizing youth into new or existing Youth Groups and Youth Networks that results in democratic representation of youth across target areas while ensuring it becomes a sustainable youth-led fund
• Provide technical assistance in the establishment of the Youth Empowerment Fund to ensure policies and processes for fund management are driven by demand from youth in target areas
• Work with Youth Federation/national youth network to increase youth engagement and representation in monitoring government accountability (including for key services such as health and labor market services)
• Provide technical assistance to government institutions, traditional leaders, local public officials and political representatives to facilitate ways for youth to be represented and engaged in decision-making and policy development
• Work with youth in higher education institutions to support youth-led research into economic opportunities
• Provide technical assistance to ensure vocational and entrepreneurship training providers and financial service providers apply approaches that are youth-friendly and are responding to the needs of youth
• Provide technical assistance to ensure health services and financial services are designed with youth participation in order to be responsive to their needs and to be youth-friendly

Job Requirements

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for people with the right competencies and skills for the role, and who demonstrate the personal qualities consistent with our Values.

Values Behaviors What we expect of the Positive Youth Development Lead HEART

• We are who we serve. We are brave.
• Values-led
• Embeds a values-led culture across a number of programs and/or teams by empowering Managers to uphold appropriate Values-led behavior within their individual teams.
• Innovation
• Fosters a climate of innovation and continual improvement across a number of programs and/or teams. Empowers Managers to promote change and resolve issues within their individual teams

HEAD

• We are 100% professional. We prove that young people can
• Delivers Quality
• Takes full accountability for performance and value-for-money across a number of programs and/or teams. Ensures effective collaboration to deliver quality and overcome challenges against strategic goals.
• Decision Making
• Confidently makes decisions which may affect multiple programs and/or teams; taking measured risks when necessary. Empowers and supports managers to consider the bigger picture when faced with difficult decisions or when weighing up measured risks.

VOICE

• We generate leaders. We are proud to carry the banner for youth-led development.
• Leadership
• Plays a key role in strategy development and is accountable for the performance of multiple programs and/or teams. Inspires and supports others to take on a leadership role.
• People Development
• Drives their own personal development, committing to new challenges which build capacity and cross-team collaboration for the organization. Supports Managers to fulfil their potential through effective performance management, mentoring and other opportunities for growth

HANDS

• We are in it together. We listen and learn.
• Effective Communication
• Builds consensus and commitment amongst staff and major national partners. Confidently anticipates and responds to challenge or resistance. Coaches others to communicate strategically.
• Collaboration
• Is a role model for collaboration across multiple programs and/or teams, and with major national partners. Cultivates national and regional partnerships

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Experience in USAID-funded activities on Positive Youth Development (PYD) is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to implement youth-led and youth-focused programming in partnership with NGOS, local organizations and government affiliated initiatives.
• Experience with USAID rules, regulations and reporting requirements is strongly preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Ethiopian Nationals given preference

Desirable

• Bachelors or Master's or equivalent in social or political science, international development, management or public administration, business administration or other relevant field related to youth programming.

Restless Development is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sectors of the community. Restless Development will ensure that no applicant or staff member receives less favorable treatment on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital status, social status, caste, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, age, HIV status, disability, or any other factor that cannot be shown to be relevant to performance.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

Remuneration

We are proud to commit to a transparent global salary scale, ensuring a fair and comparable system of pay across all global locations. 

Values and Culture

At Restless Development, we’re proud that the strength and integrity of our Values has been recognized by staff, beneficiaries, donors and others who we work with. Beyond this, we have a culture of recognizing and celebrating both our Values and our global achievements with monthly Values Champions and an annual Values Day.

Work-life Balance

It goes without saying that we work hard, at Restless Development. We also recognize the importance of helping staff to maintain a positive work-life balance by offering:

• 24 days annual leave (in addition to public holidays and with an extra day of annual leave given for each full year of service, up to a maximum of 28 days).
• Birthday Leave
• Access to flexible working.
• Generous study leave, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, and other leave allowances.

Professional Development

Restless Development is proud to be an employer who recognizes potential and invests in the development of its staff. We are committed to the professional development of our staff through:

• Empowering opportunities to work on significant projects which stretch and inspire staff – allowing them to develop on-the-job.
• Regular performance management.
• Training and development opportunities, including supporting our staff to identify mentors both within and outside of the agency.
• Quarterly Staff Workshops for all staff to give and receive agency updates, receive training, and socialize.

Travel and Medical Insurance

We provide medical insurance to staff and two dependents. When travelling abroad with work, all staff will be covered by Restless Development’s travel insurance.

How to Apply

Please send a completed application form and CV to ugandajobs@restlessdevelopment.org by 5:00 PM on Friday 14th May, 2021.  

Here is the link to Restless Development website as well for the role & to download the application form.