Job - Youth Engagement Officer needed at Plan International

Job Title: Youth Engagement Officer

Founded 75 years ago, Plan International is one of the oldest and largest child centered development organizations in the world. We work in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan’s vision is of a world in which all children realize their full potential in societies that respect people’s rights and dignity. Plan is independent, with no religious, political or governmental affiliations.

About Project:

Plan Uganda has been selected to pilot a one year youth engagement project due to her track record of meaningful youth participation. The project focus is to build on existing initiatives to engage young people in internal decision making to enhance practice and consistency across the organisation as well as to lay down time-bound strategic goals, objectives and priority actions for engaging young people in internal decision making. The main objective of this project is to give Plan Uganda a direction on how young people must be consulted at all stages in the decision making process.

Job Summary:

The Youth Engagement Officer will ensure that youth engagement will have impact across Plan Uganda’s life-cycle approach but will have focus on adolescence; Ready for the Future – Now, working with young people 13-24 years). He or she will ensure Plan is an organization where decision making at all levels is conducted with young people, in an environment of mutual respect and learning, to better realize our organizational vision and commitment to putting children at the centre of all that we do. Specifically, he/ she will ensure that children and youth are given the opportunity and support necessary to have a significant influence on planning and management of development programs and projects. The incumbent will provide leadership to ensure effective coordination of youth Advisory Panels, partnerships and collaborations, timely and effective work-planning and budget management and reporting according donor requirements and Plan’s policies.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The job holder will bear the overall responsibility for the establishment of the Youth Advisory Panels (YAP) Project within Plan Uganda;
Prepare annual detailed project implementation plans and budgets;
Manage and build relationships with partner organisations and other project stakeholders;
Develop and oversee implementation of Project Monitoring& Evaluation and procurement plans;
Ensure implementation of policies, principles and operational standards of the Child Centred Community Development (CCCD) approach, and the citizenship and governance in the project
Coordinating annual recruitment of new YAP members, with the aim of establishing regional representation throughout Plan Uganda Program areas;
Networking with key Plan Uganda programme areas youth organizations and other key external partners, including relevant government departments in support of youth advocacy;
Offer technical support in the generation of accessible, youth-friendly versions of Plan documents and other resources targeting wider youth networks;
Develop tools for monitoring, evaluation and learning of Plan Uganda youth engagement initiatives, including YAP activities, with support from Project Coordinator- Children and
Youth Participation;
Train and mentor relevant departments in Plan Uganda on effective youth engagement and ensure staff are regularly updated on activities undertaken by YAP;
Support inclusion and participation of marginalised youth especially youth with disabilities;
Provide day-to-day support to the Global Youth Steering Committee Member; and
Participate in the global youth engagement technical network
Perform any other job duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

The applicant should possess a bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Social Work or its equivalent in a related field.
A minimum of two years’ experience working with youth groups/organizations
Working knowledge and experience of key donor requirements.
Prior experience of supporting the successful growth of a youth group, organization or network
Significant experience in strategy development
Hands-on experience in working with marginalized youth population and on Human Rights/Youth Rights issues
Practical experience in participatory development and advocacy approaches
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, in English language, and the ability to adapt styles to meet needs of different audiences
Excellent networking and partnership skills
Computer proficiency i.e. skills in Microsoft Word and Excel

How to Apply for the job:

All suitably qualified candidates should send their letters of application, together with detailed and updated CVs, contact telephone numbers, copies of relevant certificates, names and contact details of three references plus salary history to: The Country Human Resources Manager, Plan Uganda.

Email: uganda.recruitment@plan-international.org

Plan is an equal opportunity employer and qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

NB: Only soft copies of application will be considered and please indicate the position in the Subject line. Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted.

As a child centered development organization, Plan strives to ensure that children are kept safe in all the areas we operate. The organization further has a child protection policy that every staff is required to sign. Potential candidates will be required to provide information confirming whether or not they have ever been convicted of any child abuse crimes.

Deadline: 31^st January, 2014.

job, JOBS