Youth Economic Empowerment Coordinator

Date: 4 Dec 2023

Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Company: Plan International

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. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity.

We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. In Zimbabwe, we have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 31 years. Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity.

Youth Economic Empowerment Coordinator

Reporting to the Plan International Project manager with a working relationship with the Country Youth Economic Empowerment Technical Lead, the Youth Economic Empowerment (YEE) Coordinator will be responsible for facilitating training for Plan International learners on financial literacy, business management and other relevant thematic areas that will support learners to effectively utilise their vocational skills and life skills.

       Accountabilities

1. Assessment, Program Design and Planning

• Provide technical support to MERL team on conducting capacity gap assessments on vocational skills training.
• Provide technical inputs on the review of project’s log frame and indicators to ensure relevant information on vocational skills training is collected.
• Provide technical assistance on the development of all project implementation plans and budgets within the framework of donor guidelines.
• Conduct market assessments to identity key growth sectors where young people can access enhanced incomes.

2. Project Management and Implementation

• Lead the delivery of vocational, business and entrepreneurship skills training to learners, ensuring that the trainings are responding to the identified capacity gaps.
• Support learners on their transition pathways to employment and/or self-employment by providing them with relevant information relevant for their transition.
• Facilitate communication channels and liaison with young people participating in the program WhatsApp, e-mail, and other platforms.
• Collaborate with private sector to facilitate opportunities for employment and market linkages, and alternative to financing through microfinance institutions.
• Coordinate with Ministry of Youth and Ministry of Women Affairs on the delivery of vocational skills component and ensure the component is aligned to ministry priority areas.
• Create a referrals map for young people to receive business skills, entrepreneurship, and micro financial support for business start-up.
• Lead the engagement with relevant Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to facilitate enrolment of learners in those institutions.
• Provide technical support on the delivery of trainings to ISOP master craft and TVET college trainers on Plan International project component.
• Provide technical support to Plan International team on all teams implementing the YEE project on youth programming and movement building.
• Keeps track in collaboration with MERL team on the outcomes and indicators, milestones and targets and consolidates the progress of the quarterly and annual reports.
• Collaborate with national youth groups, youth-focused organizations, and other organisations implementing similar youth employment and entrepreneurship-related activities in rural areas and participate in formal and informal employment-related meetings with relevant stakeholders and partners;

3. Program Learning and Communication

• Identify learning and training opportunities for staff and partners and work as a mentor to ensure high quality outcomes.
• Contribute to project’s knowledge management by documenting lessons learned from vocational skills training component, and tracking significant change stories.
• Ensures that effective use is made of learning from programme monitoring and evaluation to strengthen programme delivery and inform wider practice in relation to Plan International Zimbabwe work.

4. Safeguarding, Gender Equality and Inclusion

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

     Knowledge

• A degree in Entrepreneurship, Economics, Business Management, Marketing or related discipline.
• A relevant post graduate qualification desirable.
• A minimum of 3 years supervisory experience at a similar level preferably in an NGO environment.
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes and theories of child-rights programming.
• Understanding of gender equality and inclusion mechanisms.
• Experience in working in multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges, opportunities and implications to community development.

         Skills

• Excellent networking and partnership building skills.
• Strong youth engagement and facilitation skills.
• Research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Good communication, facilitation and report writing skills.

          Behaviors

• Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children without discrimination.
• Promotes high quality gender programs.
• Assertiveness and shows cultural sensitiveness.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organization for all children, girls & young people.

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximize long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

1. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace.
3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives.

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit their curriculum vitae & cover letter outlining their suitability for the position. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

This position is open to Zimbabwean nationals

Location: Zimbabwe (Harare)

Type of role: Fixed Term Contract

Closing Date: 11 December 2023

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.