Youth Advisor Job in Somalia, Kenya

This position is contingent on receipt of new program funding.

Program / Department Summary:

The Youth Advisor will lead the youth civic engagement and workforce development components of a proposed five-year $18 million program to support formal and non-formal secondary education, vocational training, and economic opportunity for out-of-school youth in Somalia.

The non-formal and youth engagement component aims to increase job placements, salaries/wages and self-employment opportunities for Somali youth through the provision of market-driven skills training, business training and linkages to credit, business development support and job placement services.

The Advisor’s role is, primarily, to support the Somalia Youth Leaders Initiative (SYLI) program and the country programs. It entails giving direction, setting appropriate standards, facilitation and training. It is not one of management or hands-on work in the field unless in a training context or when deployed to assist in establishing a response.

General Position Summary:

The Youth Advisor will provide technical leadership and oversight to the youth component of the Somalia SYLI program, managing a team of specialists to ensure that the program meets its targets and deliverables on time and within budget.

The Youth Advisor will be the technical point person for civic engagement activities (training, community service, advocacy), and economic opportunities for out-of-school youth. Activities may involve vocational training, income generating activities/livelihoods for youth, mentoring or coaching, life skills development, civic engagement and supporting youth organizations.

S/he will share knowledge with other target country Youth Advisors and will receive technical guidance from the SYLI Chief of Party (COP). The Youth Advisor will oversee staff in selected zones and travel as needed within Somalia.

Essential Job Functions:
Design, implement and evaluate a variety of activities, programs and events for young people utilizing existing and potential resources.
Develop an information and advocacy network;
Deliver technical assistance to the targeted workforce development in Somalia;
Take the lead in mobilizing and managing potential short-term technical assistants (international consultants), including drafting Scopes of Work, etc.
Actively lead consultations with young people in order to seek their opinions, ideas and issues and to keep abreast of emerging needs of young people.
Develop programs, activities and initiatives for young people in areas of identified need, utilizing existing and potential resources.
Advocate for the rights and needs of young people and build their capacity through personal and professional development;
Ensure that young people are consulted and participate in the development of youth activities, programs and events.
Collaborate and network with key local authorities, agencies and organizations across the eastern region so that limited resources may be most effectively used for the benefit of young people.
Use community development approaches aimed at enabling individuals or groups to help themselves.
Develop mechanisms to evaluate the outcomes of the youth activities, programs and services provided.
Provide technical expertise to field staff in program design, implementation strategies, and work planning.
Monitor field program results and ensure cross-learning of best practices among field programs.
Develop innovative ways of strengthening strategic linkages among TVET with public and private players;
Performance any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Organizational Learning

As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Supervisory Responsibility:

Direct supervision of civic engagement and economic empowerment team members.

Reports Directly To: SYLI Chief of Party

Works Directly With: Deputy Chief of Party, Other program technical leads including M&E, as well as operation staff in the country and field offices.

Knowledge and Experience:
Minimum of a Master’s degree in education, international development, or related field experience;
7 – 10 years’ experience in implementing and managing education improvement programs for youth in developing or conflict and transitional countries;
Experience in working directly with and training youth, technical expertise in workforce development, and knowledge of youth employment issues including experience with the private sector and market assessments.
Knowledge of, vocational training techniques, business and life skills concepts, enterprise development and refugee livelihoods.
Willingness working in remote field settings under challenging conditions.
Experience in building and effectively supervising a substantially diverse team of employees spread across an expansive region.
Demonstrated effective interpersonal skills, proactive and creative problem solving and ethical management.
Prior experience in working with international donors and knowledge of USAID’s policies and procedures.
Demonstrated exemplary diplomatic, communication, and interpersonal skills;
Organizational acumen and cultural sensitivity;
Excellent oral and written English language ability.
Previous experience in Somalia preferable.
Success Factors:

The successful Youth Advisor will possess in-depth expertise in the youth development sector, both for increasing young people’s engagement with their communities and improving economic opportunities.

S/he will have strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate tactfully with high-level officials regarding their capacity needs. S/he will have demonstrated skills working in challenging environments.

The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Living Conditions/Environmental Conditions:

The Youth Advisor will be based in Hargeisa, and manage activities throughout the country.

This is an unaccompanied post in a highly insecure environment.

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.
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