Vacancy - Programme Manager CYP Africa Centre

24 May 2007

JOB AND TASK DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Division: Grade:

Programme Manager Commonwealth Youth Programme PM

(CYP) Africa Centre

Reports to:

Regional Director (Africa Centre)

General information

The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) supports the activities of member governments investing in young people through the development of policies and programmes in youth enterprise and sustainable livelihoods; youth work education and training, youth participation and governance, development and youth networks. The Programme currently addresses the concerns of young people in gender, poverty, health and sustainable development. Its objective is to establish and strengthen youth ministries and independent youth networks to support policy and programme development based on the active participation of young women and men.

The CYP assists fifty-two member countries of the Commonwealth through the Pan Commonwealth Office in London and four regional centres in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the South Pacific.

The Africa Centre assists the Commonwealth governments in the region to formulate policies and programmes for youth development, working collaboratively with governments, young people and other stakeholders.

Job summary

The three Programme Managers (PMs) at the Africa Centre have lead responsibility for a designated set of CYP programmes. (The actual programmes within a PM's portfolio will vary over time, taking into account the experience and interests of the individual PMs, and the needs of the Africa Centre.)

The PMs contribute to all aspects of CYP operations, supporting the efforts of governments and youth organizations, and collaborating with international organisations in the promotion of a range of youth development activities. The three PMs work with the Regional Director, and support staff at the Africa Centrewhich is located in Lusaka, Zambia.

Task description

Promote youth participation in development, democracy and active citizenship in the Africa Centre to advance the involvement of youth in the decision making processes by:

Working with regional youth networks, governments and partner agencies to develop policies and programmes
Plan, coordinate, deliver and evaluate programmes including capacity building workshops
Undertake research and disseminate information on relevant issues

Facilitate the implementation of youth development in the Africa Centre to increase the skill and knowledge of young people by:

Working with and through networks and other structures such as National Youth Councils across the region to develop and enhance programmes
Plan, coordinate, deliver and evaluate programmes
Undertake research and use this to enhance the programmes that are run

Participate in setting the overall CYP Strategy and enhancing the programmes that are implemented by:

Participating in developing the annual operation plan, its implementation and evaluation
Assist in the preparation of material for meetings of CYP regional planning and decision making bodies
Prepare reports on the Africa Centre's work

Any other duties as may be required from time to time

Person specification

Education

Essential: A degree in social science or the humanities with professional qualifications in a field such as youth work, community development, social administration or development.

Experience

Essential: Five years' experience of working in a government or non-government organisation in one or more of the following youth issues addressed by CYP; youth enterprise development, youth training, youth networks and governance, and youth participation gained in the Africa Region.

Desirable: Experience in distance learning, adult education or curriculum development.

Competencies

Applicants should be able to demonstrate:

A track record in planning, programme development, implementation and evaluation.
Experience in delivering contemporary methods of training, especially distance learning.
Good written and verbal communication skills.
Good analytical skills
The ability to network and to influence effectively.
Good basic IT skills including, Microsoft Office, email and internet research.
A commitment to working with teams representing the diversity of ethnic, religious, racial and cultural components of the Commonwealth.

Supporting Information

TACOS SPO Africa Centre