Plan International is an independent non-profit organization that advances children’s well-being and equality for girls. Working in building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years and present in 70 countries, Plan International strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children while working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. Plan International Ethiopia is looking for Thematic Sector Lead, Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship for Country Office who will be reporting to the Head of Program Quality and with matrix reports to Head of Refugees and Migration.

Accountabilities and MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

Strategic Leadership (35%)

• Demonstrate leadership in relation to Plan International policies and practices with respect to SOYEE, overall technical leadership on youth employment and entrepreneurship programming, policy influencing & advocacy, capacity building, people development, partnership, representation, studies and evaluations of the SOYEE sector.
• Provide leadership and oversight in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all youth employment and entrepreneurship project activities; assess the outputs, outcomes and impact of program interventions and activities.  
• Act as resource person in the organization for SOYEE and keep oneself up to date with developments happening in this field both nationally and internationally.
•  Lead in formulating country specific policies, strategies and objectives on youth employment and entrepreneurship for quality programming.
• Regularly develop and submit progress reports, status updates and briefs on emerging

 issues to relevant team members. 

Strategic Partnership, Networking & Collaboration (25%)

• Represent the organization in relevant national and regional forums and platforms at international level concerning youth employment and entrepreneurship programs.
• Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of Plan’s work
• Develop and implement policy advocacy action plan related to youth employment and entrepreneurship theme using all relevant tools and techniques and in close collaboration with the Influencing and Communications team. This will include, but not be limited to, developing policy briefs, advocacy messages, organizing conferences and seminars, etc. 
• Proactive engagement in internal and external environment, networks, collations and alliances (Plan international regional forums, SOYEE and related technical working groups)

Resource Mobilization (15%)

• Lead and deliver quality project / program development in line with PIE’s country strategy to compete in funding opportunities (scanning the situations, come up with innovation and also consider sustainability and also impact of the projects and programs) 
• Present and share lessons, best practices, approaches and tested models for donors, government and other stakeholders, partners and alliances to further scaling up and reach wider beneficiaries as well as influencing and attracting more resources

Technical support (25%)

• Build the capacity of Plan Ethiopia staff, and strategic partners to promote SOYEE, with specific emphasis on building adolescent girls’ and young women’s life- and business skills and link them to employment and/or entrepreneurship opportunities; while also working closely with the private sector to respond to market demands; support government initiatives; engage with training and finance providers; and also mobilize the support from parents and communities.
• Provide technical recommendations to improve the design of any project or program to ensure that they meet the quality standards and industry best practices.
• Provide demand driven technical support to key departments and units within PIE (Program Quality & Operations, Humanitarian Department. Influencing and Communications; Business Development; Program Areas) and ensure high quality program (design & implementation) and influencing work. This will include designing, conducting and coordinating training programs, technical field visits, development and dissemination of guidance material, etc.
• Document, share and disseminate lessons learned and accumulative experience of SOYEE activities.

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' behavior, 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 organizational 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 organization by sharing key messages, having team meetings and working collaboratively with other teams or departments. 

Job Requirements

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Masters Degree in Economics, International Development, Livelihood, Social work or equivalent field relevant to Plan International’s work
• A minimum of eight years of experience out of which three years at supervisory position
• Demonstrable experience of leading the development and implementation of program and influencing models in development and humanitarian settings on youth employment; entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, advancing children’s rights and/or gender equality in a national context
• 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.
• Knowledge and experience in rights based and gender transformative programming and influencing
• Experience in Leadership, working with vocational training centers, liaising and networking with local implementing partners, and private sectors
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant governments policies, strategies, programs and priorities related to youth employment, entrepreneurship 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.
• Demonstrable experience on development and humanitarian nexus will be highly desirable

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 labor 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 is June 7, 2021.

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

Please note that: 

• Applications and CVs written in English will be accepted and
• Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Please note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link.

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

More information about Plan International can be found on the website

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.