Head of Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP)

BRAC International is Hiring! Join BRAC International to create opportunities for people to realise their potential.

Position: Head of Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), BRAC International

Job Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh / Nairobi, Kenya

About the Role:

The Head of the Youth Empowerment Programme (Head of YEP) at BRAC International plays a pivotal role in driving strategic and technical leadership aimed at developing innovative approaches for youth empowerment initiatives. Reporting directly to the Director of Programmes. S/he collaborates closely with the Youth Empowerment and Country teams to establish and enforce program standards and systems across BI countries.

In addition to internal coordination, the Head of YEP actively builds relationships with donor organisations, government ministries, and various networks and forums within the sector towards fostering partnerships, advocacy, and securing the necessary funding.

This position is also ensuring alignment within the Youth Empowerment team, Country Offices (COs) and across other units and entities within BRAC International. This involves standardising approaches and practices to harmonise efforts across different countries and teams.

Furthermore, the Head of YEP is expected to foster collaboration with other sectoral teams within BRAC and BI to promote integrated and holistic program design. This collaborative approach ensures that youth empowerment initiatives are not only effective within their specific context but also contribute synergistically to broader organisational goals.

To guarantee the quality and impact of programs, the Head of YEP oversees program development and implementation processes in collaboration with learning and effectiveness teams. This involves conducting site visits, establishing robust collaborative ties with technical experts, and working closely with support teams to translate strategies into actionable plans.

Finally, the Head of YEP role demands a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader who can navigate complex partnerships, drive programmatic excellence, and champion integrated approaches to youth empowerment across BRAC International’s diverse operational landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Youth Empowerment (YE) technical team, and oversee the implementation of program strategy, work plan, and Youth Empowerment initiatives.
• Grow and expand existing YE initiatives and develop transformative technical approaches (including the use of technology/digital programs) for youth empowerment and promote innovation for learning and expansion for higher impact & learning to BRAC International.
• Develop and roll-out a learning and advocacy agenda for the YE programme to assist and guide country management in developing a YE strategic direction towards impact at scale and extend technical support in implementing the initiatives, by ensuring the transformation of BRAC values & learning to BRAC International.
• Fosters relationships with donors, govt, networks/forums within the sector for building partnerships, advocacy, and securing the necessary funding towards ensuring consistent fundraising for adolescent and youth programming.
• In partnership with Global Resource Mobilisation and Partnership (GRP) and COs maintain donor relationships, lead demand-driven proactive programme design, write technical parts of concepts/proposals, review and provide input in programme/project budget.
• Ensure ongoing support to the Accelerating Impact for young women in Africa (AIM) team, including COs, for effective implementation of AIM and to support overall learning on impactful YE approaches including chairing the AIM curriculum committee.
• Provide technical assistance to country teams and ensure quality implementation of YE, and relevant integrated projects
• Engage and collaborate with other sectoral teams in the organisation to promote integrated and holistic program design.
• Review and provide technical input on internal and external impact documents/ reports and other documents as needed.
• Informs, learns from, and builds relationships with key stakeholders, affiliates and partners.
• Build the capacity of the YE team and ensure the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned from the programs.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Establish a safeguarding culture across all levels of the programme by implementing the safeguarding policy. Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
• Responsible to ensure team members are appropriately trained, supported and have access to resources regarding issues that are identified and actioned in accordance with the safeguarding policy and procedure.
• Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.

Academic Qualifications:

• Masters in Development Studies /Education/ Gender & Development/ Educational Research/MBA/Social Science or any relevant subject.

Required Skills, Competencies & Knowledge:

• Demonstrated experience in project design and proposal development.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in the subject area.
• Understanding of BRAC core competencies so that program knowledge and skills can be transferred.
• Experience and knowledge of south based development issues.
• Project fund management, project management, Donor reporting, Development programme’s monitoring.
• Excellent written & communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated experience in fund raising.
• Ability to design web-based solution.
• Practical and extensive experience in developing life skills training material, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship.
• Ability to work with virtual teams & distant stakeholders.

Experience Requirements:

• Around 10-12 years of experience in the field of Youth Empowerment, Education, Gender & Development and Development studies.
• Demonstrated success in sector specialisation.

About BRAC International:

BRAC International (BI), a leading non-profit organisation, is on a mission to empower people and communities facing poverty, illiteracy, disease, and social injustice. Our vision is to create a world free from exploitation and discrimination, where everyone has the opportunity to realise their potential. We design proven, scalable solutions that equip people with the support and confidence they need to achieve their potential.

BRAC was founded in Bangladesh in 1972 and over the last five decades has grown to become one of the world’s largest non-governmental organisations (NGOs), reaching over 100 million people. We started our first international operation by venturing into Afghanistan in 2002, building on lessons from our work in Bangladesh to support a nation devastated by war. Currently operating in 16 countries across Asia and Africa. Born, proven and led in the Global South, BRAC International brings a unique Southern perspective and commitment to continuous learning, providing a depth of insight, experience and evidence to meet the needs of diverse communities with humility and courage across Asia and Africa. To learn more about BRAC International, please visit (www.bracinternational.org.com)

Our Core Values:

Integrity: We approach our work with honesty and integrity.

Innovation: We innovate and iterate to improve our impact.

Inclusiveness: We foster inclusion to reach those who need it most

Effectiveness: We strive for effectiveness to better serve people in poverty

How to apply

If you feel you are the right match for the above-mentioned position, please follow the application process to grab your dream opportunity!

External candidates are recommended to email their Resume with a cover letter and any supporting documents to recruitment.bi@brac.net; mentioninga brief academic background, career summary, core competence, professional certifications (if any) etc. within 250 words.

Internal candidates are recommended to apply with their latest Resume including all job assignments in detail and a cover letter mentioning core competence and career aspiration with BRAC PIN and email to internal.bi@brac.net copying their immediate reporting manager.

Please mention the name of the position and AD# BI 55/24 in the subject bar.

Application deadline: 14 October 2024

BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share the same commitment. We believe every stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation – regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Therefore, our recruitment policy and procedure include extensive background checks and disclosure of criminal records in order to ensure safeguarding to the fullest extent.

“BRAC International is an equal opportunities employer”