Description
HPI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability. Heifer Project International in Uganda is set to implement a 5-year project funded by the Mastercard Foundation under its program Young Africa Works. The project seeks to improve socio-economic well-being and resilience of young people in the Busoga sub-region by 2029. The project target is to reach 250,000 young people between 16-35 years (70% females and 3% youth with disabilities). The project will achieve this target by facilitating collaboration with like-minded partners to include, The Consortium for Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development Limited (CURAD), The Federation of Small & Medium Enterprises (FSME), Financial Sector Deepening Uganda (FSDU) and ASIGMA group. FUNCTION The Youth and engagement coordinator is primarily responsible for facilitating and coordinating youth engagement activities in line with the SAYE project youth engagement strategy. The position will report directly to the Project Director while working closely with the gender and safeguarding specialist. He/she shall liaise with the consortium partners to deliver strategies for mobilizing and engaging youth including women, girls, and persons with disabilities within the agribusiness and non-agribusiness ecosystem. He/she shall coordinate youth-centered advocacy initiatives at district, regional and national levels to enhance the youth voices in driving policy reforms within the agribusiness and non-agribusiness space. The Youth and Engagement coordinator will drive innovation in new areas, He/She should have a strong understanding of opportunities for youth and youth-inclusive organizations that can support them on idealization. The SAYE Youth Engagement Coordinator will work to enhance the capacity and leadership of youth to engage in the project processes and to address local social and economic development issues. ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS Self-motivated and creative thinker, excellent communication, proven leadership ability, counseling, mobilizing and organizing. RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES
A. Program effectiveness (40%)
C. Capacity building (25%)
Enhance the capacity of local partners to facilitate youth participation in new/existing self-help groups for employment, engagement and participation in decision making within the agribusiness ecosystem.Monitor policy discussions and reforms within the agricultural market system to increase youth influence and participation on government programmes targeting agricultural market systems at district, regional and national levels.Support groups of youth to network and collaborate with other young people across districts and regions to share information, business innovations/ideas and experiences using youth sensitive forums within the agricultural market system.Provide technical guidance to partners during the development of project work plans.Organise quarterly and bi-annual coordination meetings for partners supporting youth engagement and participation components.D. May perform other duties as assigned (5%)
Performs other duties assigned by his/her supervisor or designee. Minimum Requirements Bachelorโs Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, Social Work or any related field plus five (5) years work experience in participatory programming for youth including young women and persons with disabilities. Preferred requirements A postgraduate qualification in social development, business program management or any other relevant field with at least five (5) years in a supervisory role.Familiarity with national youth and gender policies in Uganda.Track record working with youth groups in a development context.Experience in developing private-public partnerships, especially at national and district levels.Experience in community group formation and strengthening.Most Critical proficiencies Ability to identify key players in an ecosystem, engage with them and mobilize them to support project work.Knowledge and experience with developing and conducting youth and gender analysis including organizing and facilitating youth and gender trainings.Past experience in partnership management.Understands group dynamics for youth and other vulnerable groups within the agricultural market system.A strong belief in the potential for young people to influence positive change through participation.An understanding of the project-selected value chains and HPIโs Values-Based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD) model.Strong mentoring, counseling, and coaching skills.Knowledge and experience in cooperative development.Good understanding of the sustainable livelihoods approach and related issues.Well-developed assessment, analytical, and planning skills.Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft office preferred) and internet.Empathetic and ability to identify with youth associated challenges.Ability to build and maintain an overall positive public image of the organization, its mandate and its brand while ensuring that youth initiatives are supported.Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands Excellent mobilization skills.Excellent oral and written reporting skills with the ability to prepare and present documents in a well designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.Sensitivity to the needs and priorities of disadvantaged populations, particularly women and youth.Working in a multi-cultural setting and commitment to promoting teamwork, gender equality and sensitivity to hunger and poverty issues.Ability to travel domestically and internationally, occasionally on short notice.Excellent communication and negotiation skills with the ability to relate to individuals diplomatically and tactfully.Sound judgment, professionalism, and a positive attitude with the ability to adapt to a rapidly changing environment and in sometimes difficult circumstances.Demonstrate a high degree of honesty and integrity.Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. NOTE: The Mastercard Foundation adheres to the highest standards of care related to its programs, those involved in carrying out its mission, and the millions of young people it supports in accessing dignified and fulfilling work. The Foundation has a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of misconduct and takes seriously its responsibility to improve the safety and well-being of the young people who participate in its programs. This duty of care is shared by the Foundationโs partners. As such, during recruitment of staff for Foundation supported programs, all necessary mechanisms are put in place to ascertain that candidates under consideration share our commitment to safeguarding. Deadline for Application: 26th February 2024.