Job Title: Youth Empowerment Fund Advisor

Required Number: ONE

Department: Program

Reports to: Youth Empowerment Fund and Entrepreneurship Development Director

Direct reports: AN

Duty Station Addis Ababa, Country Office

Duration of Employment One year with possible extension

Amref Health Africa is seeking a Youth Empowerment Fund Advisor to provide technical leadership and support for the USAID Integrated Youth Activity (IYA) that aims to empower youth to advance their own economic, civic and social development across 18 secondary urban cities of Ethiopia. The Advisor will serve as a lead contact person on the YEF activities for the project. S/he will provide technical support and financial oversight in the establishment of the YEF grant and the Youth Savings and Credit Cooperative (SACCO). The advisor will design the start-up strategy of the YEF and follow up its implementation, including the establishment of clear SOPs, guidelines, and procedures for the YEF grant and the Youth SACCO. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience working in the financial development sector in Ethiopia, with demonstrated experience in grants management and SACCO and/or similar financial institutions. The position is based in the Addis Ababa country office with travel to project areas as necessary.

Youth Empowerment Fund Development, Management, Implementation and Monitoring

• Oversee the design, implementation and review of the YEF business model and implementation strategy, policies and procedures, standards and guidelines in partnership with youth and other key stakeholders tailored to city specific needs
• Establish close monitoring and control mechanisms of the YEF engaging youth and key stakeholders
• Oversee the day to day management and administration of all the activities of the fund ensuring regular fund performance reporting requirements and communications are met
• Ensure a healthy YEF portfolio putting in place strategies for its continuous growth and sustainability; Monitor trends in the credit market and exploring business expansion opportunities
• Lead and provide oversight in the design of the Youth SACCO business model, its establishment and management, including the develop financial products such as loans tailored to youth’s needs
• Design structure and content of YEF grant programs that addresses youth community engagement, youth entrepreneurship and capacity building of youth serving organizations; Oversee that grant programs operate efficiently, streamline grant administration, and keep in line with the funding level, ensuring the alignment to Grants Management best practices

Entrepreneurship Development & Linkages

• Oversee and support the development and support package for youth financial management and basic entrepreneurship training; design implementation models to increase access to youth, including inclusion 
• Develop appropriate guidelines, SOPs, controls and linkages for trained youth to access competitive loans through the Youth SACCO
• Develop appropriate guidelines, SOPs, controls and linkages for youth groups, youth coalitions and youth serving organizations to access small grants through the YEF
• Oversee technical support to youth-oriented micro, small and medium enterprises through business mentorship and consultancy; oversee financial and business management training as needed to the youth

Growth, communication and coordination

• Put in place regular internal and external communication mechanism to raise awareness of YEF’s performance 
• Spearhead identification and assessment of potential business opportunities for growth of YEF
• Establish working relationships and partnerships with government partners, donors, private actors and other stakeholders for the YEF growth to seek additional investments for the YEF
• Lead external fundraising opportunity for YEF’s growth by identifying new sources of funding, and developing sustainable and effective grants programs

Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Lead in the development and/or review of youth empowerment fund and enterprise development department work plans, quarterly, biannual and annual reports;
• In consultation with Program Directors, update the monthly, quarterly and annual plan of action and share with relevant staff;
• Work with PM&E unit to develop monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems that will effectively capture progress towards results and ensure consistent monitoring of program activities.
• Contribute to the development and timely submission of written reports, preparing periodic update reports on successes and challenges facing the project, as well as its progress;
• Work with project leadership to support continuous project learning and ensure integration of measurement, evaluation, and research into management decision-making.

Job Requirements

• Masters Degree in Management, Business, International Development or related field experience setting up a SACCO or microfinance institutions and related financial management, banking sector experience a plus.
• At least fifteen years experience with minimum of five years in senior management position in economic development and/or financial inclusion projects for marginalized groups, with demonstrated practical skills in management and finance sector experience, preferably in Ethiopia.
• Strong financial and accounting knowledge and skills; financial analysis and reporting and systems development experience
• Demonstrated professional competence and strong analytical skills
• Strong IT literacy with excellent knowledge of accounting software
• Experience of working with public, banking and finance sector
• Ability to understand, develop and implement banking, financial systems & products
• Strong collaborative, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills

How to Apply

If you are Interested? Please visit our website to make your application.

NB: You will be directed to our online portal where you will need to create an account in order for you to be able to submit your application. Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. Closing date will be October 21, 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Duly note that Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is an equal opportunity employer and has a non-smoking environment policy.