Deputy Chief of Party, Garissa Youth Project

Organization and Program Overview:

Founded in 1958, Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) is an international nonprofit organization that works to build bridges between educational research, policy, and practice.

Funded by the United States Agency for International Development, EDC is implementing a project called G-Youth based in the North Eastern Province of Garissa, Kenya.

The Garissa Youth Project (G-Youth) is designed to empower youth to make sound career and life decisions as they transition from high-school to the next phase of their lives.

The project offers youth interventions that help them to: build skills, facilitate appropriate career choices, provide employment and/or income generating information, bridge technical and university education opportunities and provide a fun and safe space for youth to socialize.

Through the addition of a new project component which is helping to redefine the strategic direction for the project, G-Youth now aims to build the capacity of local youth organizations and networks to increase youth participation and planning in program activities meant to help youth.

Vacancy Title: Deputy Chief of Party, Garissa Youth Project

General Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the G-Youth Chief of Party, the Deputy COP will work in close coordination with a team of Garissa-based staff to provide leadership and technical and administrative oversight of program activities and sub-partners.

The DCOP will work closely with the Chief of Party and EDC home office team to set the strategic direction for the project in keeping with USAID/Kenya’s priorities and the project work plan and budget.

This person will also be responsible for outreach to local stakeholders especially those who provide work and learning opportunities for youth, including businesses, NGOS, government, and donors in order to build support for the program.

Essential functions include [but are not limited to]:

• Support the COP in managing the local program and administrative staff to ensure timely and quality implementation of field-based program activities.
• Serve as the G-Youth Project’s technical lead for the “Youth Action” component including overseeing staff and partners in order to ensure activities are carried out in a timely and quality manner.
• Support the and Provide technical oversight of the Project’s “Youth Work”, “Youth Education” and “Youth Civics” components.
• Draft, edit and contribute to written reports and deliverables;
• Liaise and communicate with EDC’s regional office in Nairobi and USAID-Kenya as needed;
• Work as a close team with the COP to plan and budget for field-based activities;
• Maintain systems for communication and information-sharing for G-Youth within the Garissa team, EDC’s Regional Office and with EDC headquarters.
• Provide oversight and to activities taking place within the Career Resource Centre working closely with the Kenya National Library Services and other youth serving partner organizations;
• Oversee the Project’s monitoring and evaluation system and provides input into the design of tools;
• Assist with the establishment and oversight of G-Youth’s small grants programs to assist selected Kenyan youth development organizations.
• Contribute to conception and writing of proposals, as needed.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Masters degree (or equivalent).
• 7-10 years work experience in the field of international development.
• Strong commitment to identifying and creating opportunities for youth.
• Relevant technical expertise in areas such as youth development, workforce development, livelihood preparation, nonformal education, and NGO management.
• Experience with managing or working under USAID-funded programs.
• Ability to engage community members to contribute to the program activities.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Flexibility and ability to juggle multiple tasks and prioritize duties.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a team member.
• Proficiency in MSOffice including MSWord, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Application and contact details:

Apply in English with a letter, a resume and names of three references to Amina Issa at AIssa@edc.org the closing date for this position is 8th May 2012.

EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace.

EDC offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary and excellent benefits.