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 BI.
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.