Lead – Youth and Just Society

Types of contracts : Fixed Term Contract, initially up to December 2028

Job Summary

The Lead – Youth and Just Society is a key leadership role at ActionAid Bangladesh, responsible for shaping and driving the organisation’s youth-focused programme portfolio in alignment with the Country Strategic Paper (CSP VI) and Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). The role involves developing and implementing programmatic strategies, leading advocacy and campaign initiatives, and fostering youth engagement at local, national, and global levels. The incumbent will oversee key projects, such as the Global Platform Bangladesh and the EU Youth-led Peacebuilding initiative, while ensuring the integration of cross-cutting themes like women’s rights, climate resilience, and governance into youth programming. Additionally, the role requires building inclusive youth-led networks, promoting meaningful participation in programme design, and fostering partnerships with donors, stakeholders, and like-minded organisations to enhance impact and resource mobilisation.

The role demands expertise in strategic planning, programme design, communication, and team management, alongside proficiency in budgeting and ICT tools. A strong commitment to feminist leadership principles, anti-racism, and inclusive approaches is essential. The incumbent will mentor and lead teams, foster a collaborative culture, and drive innovation to position ActionAid Bangladesh as a thought leader in youth empowerment and social justice programming.

Key responsibilities include (not limited to)

Strategic Leadership, Programme Development and Implementation:

• Develop and oversee annual work plans, budgets, and programmatic strategies aligned with CSP VI and organisational goals.
• Lead advocacy and campaign initiatives at national, regional, and global levels in partnership with networks and stakeholders.
• Expand programme portfolios by identifying new opportunities and fostering partnerships with donors and like-minded organisations.
• Oversee the delivery of key projects, such as Global Platform Bangladesh and the EU Youth-led Peacebuilding initiative, ensuring alignment with objectives.
• Mainstream youth-focused interventions across thematic areas and strategic priorities for cohesive programme delivery.
• Lead, develop and support Strategic Partnership Agreement Programme engagement implemented in collaboration with implementing, strategic and youth partners

Knowledge Leadership:

• Establish AAB as a thought leader in youth programming by developing research, case studies, and policy briefs.
• Generate and disseminate knowledge products to influence national and global youth programming discourses.
• Facilitate platforms for knowledge-sharing among internal teams, partners, and youth networks to enhance learning and innovation.
• Monitor emerging trends and global best practices to align youth programme interventions.
• Strengthening the technical capacity of teams and youth networks through targeted capacity-building initiatives.

Cross-Functional Integration:

• Integrate strategic priorities such as Women’s Rights, Climate Justice & Resilience, Humanitarian Programme, and Governance into youth programming.
• Design training and tools to enhance understanding and implementation of cross-functional strategic themes.
• Co-create programmes that address interrelated challenges, such as gender justice and youth engagement in governance.
• Advocate for the intersectionality of youth leadership within broader strategic priorities at national and international levels.
• Monitor and document the integration of cross-functional issues, ensuring accountability and learning for programme improvement.

Youth Networks and Engagement:

• Build and strengthen inclusive, youth-led networks to amplify young people’s voices in decision-making processes.
• Foster cross-cultural collaboration and innovation among youth organisations and platforms.
• Support co-creation of advocacy campaigns to influence policy and promote social justice.
• Promote meaningful youth participation in programme design, implementation, and evaluation processes.
• Ensure diverse and inclusive youth engagement, addressing the needs of marginalised groups.

Partnership Management and Resource Mobilisation:

• Develop and manage relationships with donors, ensuring alignment with programme objectives.
• Support resource mobilisation by preparing proposals, concept notes, and expressions of interest.
• Ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and reporting of funded projects.
• Strengthen partnerships with external stakeholders to amplify impact and resource mobilisation efforts.
• Maintain accountability to donors through timely reporting and engagement

People Management and Leadership:

• Facilitate team planning and define clear team and individual KPIs.
• Mentor and guide team members, fostering a collaborative and learning-oriented culture.
• Monitor performance and provide constructive feedback through regular appraisals.
• Promote awareness and application of Feminist Leadership Principles and anti-racism approaches within the team.
• Ensure team capacity is aligned with organisational priorities through training and development opportunities

Required Educational Qualification and Experience

• Master’s degree, preferably in Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a related discipline.
• At least 5-6 years’ experience in programme development, advocacy, and donor management, preferably in an INGO setting.
• Having professional expertise in managing budget, staff and partners.
• Having good understanding on strategic planning, programme design, communication, and team management.

Technical Skills

• Strategic Planning & Program Management: Develops well-defined strategies and designs impactful programs, ensuring efficient budgeting and comprehensive reporting.
• Multitasking & Prioritization: Manages multiple teams and projects concurrently, prioritizing effectively to meet deadlines.
• Communication & Collaboration: Fosters strong communication and networking skills to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Technology Proficiency: Utilizes information and communication technology (ICT) tools effectively to enhance efficiency and productivity.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey complex information to a variety of audiences, including donors, partners, and community members.
• Project Management: Ability to manage and coordinate various aspects of programs, ensuring timely and quality implementation, reporting, and adherence to program objectives.
• Team Collaboration: Proven ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, community members, and partner organizations, fostering effective relationships and partnerships.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Basic knowledge of monitoring and evaluation concepts to contribute to program assessments and improvements

Required Core Competencies

• Leadership: A strong understanding of the organisation’s goals and objectives is crucial, along with the ability to think strategically, make informed decisions, and develop actionable plans to achieve organisational objectives. Effective leadership and communication skills are essential for driving the mission forward and contributing to the organisation’s success.
• Emotional Intelligence: Advanced emotional intelligence is vital, including the ability to recognise and regulate emotions, respond effectively to others’ emotions, and build strong relationships and cohesive teams.
• Communication and Collaboration: Exceptional communication and collaboration skills are required to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders. Strong project management capabilities are necessary to deliver impactful presentations and reports, foster productive relationships, and execute project plans successfully.
• Networking: Proficiency in networking is critical for representing the organisation, identifying and fostering potential partnerships, and mentoring team members to enhance their networking capabilities.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving abilities are needed to identify and prioritise challenges, collaborate with others to develop effective solutions, and guide team members in refining their problem-solving techniques.
• Learning Agility: A mindset focused on growth and adaptability is essential. Seeking feedback, adapting behaviours, managing complex projects, and pursuing learning opportunities are key aspects, along with encouraging others to embrace new technologies and innovative methods.
• Decision Quality: The ability to make well-informed decisions by considering various options and being accountable for their quality and impact is crucial for success in this role.
• Action-Oriented: A results-driven approach, combined with the ability to plan effectively, take on new responsibilities, and persistently strive to exceed expectations, is highly valued.
• Resource and Budget Management: Expertise in anticipating risks, controlling resources and assets, optimising utilisation, and assigning roles efficiently ensures operational effectiveness.
• Talent Management: Fostering a culture of continuous learning is vital. Supporting team members’ career growth through goal-setting, training, and regular development conversations enhances their skills and abilities.
• Human-Rights Based Approach and Feminist Leadership: A strong commitment to promoting HRBA and feminist leadership principles is necessary. This includes advocating for gender-responsive policies and mentoring staff to apply these approaches in their work, ensuring inclusivity and equity throughout the organisation.

How to apply

Application instructions

Only those who meet the above requirements are requested to apply following these instructions:

• Last date of application is 15 January 2025. Please click here to submit your application.

ActionAid Bangladesh aims to attract and select a diverse workforce, ensuring equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of race, age, gender, sexual orientation, HIV status, class, ethnicity, disability, location and religion. Any personal persuasion/phone call will result in disqualification of candidature.

ActionAid Bangladesh has a non-negotiable policy of ZERO TOLERANCE towards Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (SHEA), Child Protection Policy and other relevant safeguarding policies and expects all employees to abide by the Safeguarding Policies and Code of Conduct of ActionAid Bangladesh.

NB: There is no cost involved with applying for positions at ActionAid Bangladesh. Any solicitation of funds/money from job applicants should be regarded as fraudulent.