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Job Title:       Youth Engagement Manager

Organization:
Uganda Plan International

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Grade: D1

Reports to:   National Programme Manager – Youth Economic
Empowerment

About US:

Plan International
is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances
children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential
of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion
and discrimination. And its girls who are most affected. Working together with
children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just
world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all
vulnerable children. We have been building powerful partnerships for children
for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 75 countries.

Job Summary: The
Youth Engagement Manager will oversee the flagship of Smart Up Factory Project
which seeks to impart skills, knowledge and opportunities for youth especially
girls and stakeholders through innovation, mentorship and access to youth
friendly spaces in order to address the barriers inhibiting them to realize
their full potential.

In leading a project
focused on innovation and learning the YEM is expected to drive consistent
reflection based on regular data about from activity to impact level and to
support iteration on the model for sustainable solution from different contexts
including urban, rural and humanitarian

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

·       Project Management (70%): this is expected to
include the successful initiation and set up, planning and design,
implementation, monitoring, controlling and closure and transition of the
SmartUp project and youth engagement initiatives. The YEM delivers the project
results in the context of time, budget, quality, scope, risk and in accordance
with Plan International’s values and behaviours, including gender
transformative outcomes.

·       Youth Engagement (25%): The PM will also give
support in youth engagement programming and influencing initiatives including
coordinating the youth advisory panel, promoting youth as drivers of change as
defined in the LEAD agenda of the Plan International Global Strategy and
promoting collaboration / integration with other youth structures set up by
various projects within Plan Country Programmes.     

·       Smart Innovations (5%): The YEM  will also be the focal point for coordinating
and supporting innovation initiatives funded through  the Global Hub Innovation fund  geared towards promoting youth engagement and
economic empowerment

·       The Smart Up project seeks to expand skills,
knowledge and opportunities of youth and stakeholders through innovation,
mentorship and access to youth friendly spaces in Kampala, Alebtong, Gulu,
Kamuli and Tororo districts. In addition project seeks to focus innovation and
mentorship to address barriers affecting girls and women in particular to
realize their full potential. This is expected to ultimately increase youths
and especially girl’s possibilities to productive and sustainable livelihoods,
Girls empowerment and contribute to economic growth, cross-sectoral
partnerships and address community challenges.

·       The YEM is overall accountable for the
delivery of the project. S/he will supervise the project team, direct project
planning, monitoring and review. He is accountable for project cost management
making sure project financial resources are well managed and that we achieve
value for money. S/he is responsible for coordinating project parts building
into high quality results and on time. As a project focused on innovation and
learning the YEM is expected to drive consistent reflection based on regular
data about from activity to impact level and to support iteration on the model
for sustainable solution from different contexts including urban, rural and
humanitarian

·       The YEM belongs to the YEE Team and promotes
coordination and integration within the YEE thematic area and other projects
implemented within Plan International Uganda.

Accountabilities

Project Management (75%):

Project set up and project planning

·       Define the scope of the project in
collaboration with senior management.

·       Develop a comprehensive and detailed
implementation plan which identifies and sequences the activities needed to
successfully complete the project.

·       Determine the resources (time, money,
equipment, etc) required to complete the project

·       Develop a schedule for project completion
that effectively allocates the resources to the activities.

·       Review the project schedule with senior
management and all other staff that will be involved in/ affected by the
project activities; revise the schedule as required.

·       Define/review the project governance
structure.

·       Launch of the project and define key
communication mechanisms with the different stakeholders.

·       Determine the objectives and measures upon
which the project will be evaluated at its completion

Staff Management

·       In consultation with the National Programme
Manager (NPM), Manage project staff and/or volunteers, and Youth Mentors
according to the established policies and practices of the organization.

·       Ensure that all project personnel receive an
appropriate orientation to the organisation and the project.

·       Initiate and manage the process of
contracting qualified consultants to work on the project as appropriate.

Project Implementation

·       Execute the project according to the project
plan.

·       Liaise with the MER team to develop forms and
records to document project activities.

·       Set up files to ensure that all project
information is appropriately documented and secured.

·       Monitor the progress of the project and make
adjustments as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the project.

·       Establish a communication schedule to update
stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of
the project,

·       Review the quality of the work completed with
the project team on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project
standards.

·       Ensure that the Programme Quality Policy and
Procedures are followed in his/her project.

·       Ensure gender equality related action plans
are planned, implemented with clear gender transformatory outcomes.

Partnership Management

·       In collaboration with the respective  PAM and Partnership Manager  Manage the relations with the 5 local
governments where the Smart up Factory/ district hubs are implemented

·       Identify potential CSOs that can collaborate
with Plan international Uganda in achieving YEE objectives as stipulated in the
country strategy.

·       Ensure all legal documentation is in place
before bringing partners on board.

·       Support their capacity building process and
manage relationship building.

·       Ensure that the partners follow all the
requirements stipulated by the donor.

·       Work with the Partnership Manager to identify
the needs and support required by the youth / youth led CBOs to enhance their
governance and operation

Project Monitoring and Evaluation and Control

·       Measure the project progress and identify
appropriate corrective action in situation where the project’s performance
deviates significantly from the plan.

·       Write high quality reports following the
donor compliance guidelines.

·       Follow the communication protocols with
donors through the Business Development Team and provide information as
outlined in funding agreements.

·       Monitor all budgeted project expenditures and
cash flow projections and report actual cash flow and variance to senior
management on a regular basis.

·       Manage all project funds according to
established accounting policies and procedures, ensuring value for money and
strong accountability.

·       Ensure that all financial records for the
project are up to date.

·       With support from Finance Department, prepare
financial reports and supporting documentation for funders as outlined in
funding agreements. Ensure consistency between narrative and financial reports.

·       Ensure that the project deliverables are on
time, within budget and at the required level of quality.

·       Evaluate the outcomes of the project as
established during the planning phase.

·       Optimize the use of the SAP system to manage
project outputs, budget, and expenditure and project closure.

·       Manage project risks, ensuring they are
effectively tracked and reported. Manage audit process and follow up audit
action list.

·       Showcasing and promoting the work of the
young people supported by different programmes/ projects.

End of Project Transition and Project Integration

·       Implement all the transition activities to
ensure proper closure of the project (lessons learned, financial and
contractual closure activities, etc.)

·       Promote full integration of the SmartUp
Factory and Youth Engagement Interventions with other initiatives implemented
in the same location in close coordination with the Programme Area Managers.

·       Participate and provide valuable input into
the technical network meetings.

·       Support the National Programme Manager and
Advocacy and Influencing Manager in developing proposals that may facilitate
the continuity of the project.

Youth Engagement (20%):

Powering the Movement- Youth as Active Drivers of Change

·       Work closely with Country Manager for
Advocacy to ensure effective linkages, coordination and standards for engaging
youth in influencing

·       Oversee the effective coordination of all
youth groups under the different projects by periodically engaging the
different project managers to streamline action plans for youth engagements at
different levels.

·       Documentation, dissemination  and publicity of   the youth engagement initiatives and stories
of change at all levels

·       Establishment 
and maintenance of  mechanisms for
consistent communication  and/ or  exchange of information with and among the
youth groups  including the YAP

·       Facilitate the institution of a graduation
process of youth groups including the YAP members at the elapse of their term/
phase out.

·       Conduct quarterly/ annual meetings for the
different youth groups including YAP

·       Facilitate periodic capacity building of the
different youth groups including YAP members for effective  influencing

·       Ensure support and coordination of annual
youth camps  for all the youth
groups  within the different projects

·       Development and regular update a youth
database with clear profiles of the youth, and level of engagement.
Strengthening linkages and networking 
and /or learning opportunities for the youth at country, regional and
global level including the Joining Forces for Children

·       Ensure child protection and youth safe
guarding mechanisms are well instituted with in the youth programmes and  engagements at all levels

·       Ensure Plan and CSO partners incorporate YAP
structures into their decision making processes.

·       Represent Plan International at district and
national level youth engagement forums

·       Facilitate young people to take a lead role
in advocacy initiatives at country, regional and international levels

·       Ensure close technical and operational
collaboration and coordination with Government Agencies &  other 
Networks within the Areas of Global Distinctiveness

·       Leverage on the Smart Up project to
streamline different youth structures and initiatives to under the different
projects such as YAP, NiYETU, I Decide, AWF to support and strengthen their
influence at all levels.

 Smart Innovations (5%)

·       Provide leadership in supporting
identification and implementation of smart innovations funded through the
Global Hub Innovation Fund, and other relevant donors.

 Key relationships

·       Communicates with tact, diplomacy and
maintain professional working relationships at all times.

·       Close collaboration and interdependence with
the Programme Team and Business Development 
Unit at CO level, and other support departments (Finance, Admin, Risk
Management, HR, Sponsorship)

·       Regular working relationship with PA teams,
especially PAM and other focal points implementing similar projects.

·       Communications Department to ensure proper
visibility and compliance to branding.

·       Local, national and international Civil
Society Organizations, Private Sector actors, Government institutions and UN
agencies to ensure Plan’s work is well linked to other initiatives.

·       Plan Federation: other COs, Regional Offices,
National Offices and IH as requested by the project demands and communication
protocol.

·       Regular interaction with youth groups within
Plan International Federation and other likeminded youth organisations/
structures

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

·       The ideal applicant must hold a Degree in
Adult and Community Education, Social Sciences, Social Work and Social
Administration, Development Studies or Entrepreneurship

·       At least 5 years’ experience with a minimum
of three years’ experience in implementing of employability, Innovation and
youth engagement interventions for young people preferably with an
International Non-Governmental Organization and/or private sector

·       At least three years prior experience of
working relationship with  partners as
well as implementing  donor projects

·       Knowledge of current innovation environment
and technology

·       knowledge of Youth empowerment and
development agenda  including existing
networks, CSOs and government stakeholders

·       Excellent project management and team
leadership skills

·       Demonstrated skills and experience in report
writing, donor compliance and budget management

·       Identification and synthesis of best
practices and lessons learned directly linked to grant implementation, promote
knowledge management, document best practices and lessons learned from project
implementation, and facilitate dissemination in appropriate format to relevant
stakeholders.

·       Influencing and skills in working with
advocacy networks at national and district level

·       Knowledge and dynamic in working with
vulnerable young girls and boys

·       Promotes high performance among project staff
and provides vision and direction.

·       Establishes effective partnerships with
external organizations

·       Coaches project staff and leads others.

·       Excellent communication (verbal and written)
and interpersonal skills, with ability to work with people from diverse
cultures

·       Proven computer skills and knowledge of
Microsoft software including MS Word processing, Power point presentation,
Excel spreadsheets, e-mail and web based research.

·       Experience of gender mainstreaming, gender
equality and inclusion in YEE 

·       Desirable

·       Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and
write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective
communication tools and techniques. Strong verbal communication skills,
including networking, negotiating ability and influencing others.

·       Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique
ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.

·       Lead: Positively influence others to achieve
results that are in the best interest of the organization.

·       Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine
the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely
and in the best interests of the organization.

·       Organize:  Set priorities, develop a work schedule,
monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.

·       Plan: Determine strategies to move the
organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and
evaluate the process and results.

·       Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to
identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible
solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

·       Excellent interpersonal skills and the
ability to work with people from diverse cultures, ability to lead and motivate
people to work in teams

·       Good understanding and ability to use
participatory approaches for involvement of stakeholders and creating program
ownership

·       Excellent skills of working with children,
facilitating child participation and gender equality

 How to Apply:

All Qualified
candidates should submit letters of application together with their Curriculum
Vitae and a copy of their recent pay slip

This should not
exceed (2MB). Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Qualified female
candidates are encouraged to apply.

Deadline: 3rd April 2020

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