Youth Programme Officer at VSO Nigeria - Abuja

VSO is the world's leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.

VSO Nigeria is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and competent person to fill the position of:

Job Title: Youth Programme Officer

Location: Abuja

Role Overview

• VSO Nigeria is looking to recruit an experienced, skilled and efficient Youth Programme Officer to provide programmatic and administrative support to the Country Office. This position will be based in Lagos, and reports to the Youth Programmes Manager and South West Cluster Lead.
• The person will be responsible for program delivery of ICS and other Y4D programmes in assigned geographic area. The responsibilities will also include supporting the Cluster Leader (SPO) in effective planning and implementation of Y4D projects in the cluster.
• Responsible for program development and delivery of all youth programs in the assigned geographical areas with support of cluster leads and Youth Program Manager.

Role Purpose

• Responsible for Program development and delivery of all youth programs in the assigned geographical areas with support of cluster leads and Youth program Manager.

Responsibilities
1.) Program delivery of ICS and other Y4D programs in assigned geographic area
a.) Supporting ICS project officers in effective planning, implementation of ICS projects cycles including:

• Volunteer Support and management: Working with PO's to provide adequate support and supervision of volunteers throughout the ICS and other youth volunteers programme. Ensuring PO's are constantly promoting and encouraging appropriate behavior and ensuring compliance with safety and security policies; Incident reporting relating to medical and security matters related to volunteers.
• Facilitation of learning and documentation of impact: Ensuring the quality of learning delivered by PO's to volunteers on global, cross-cultural and intercultural issues through effective training and learning tools; Train and supervise PO's to support youth led and on-placement training throughout the programme.

b.) Supporting cluster leaders (SPO)in effective planning and implementation of Y4D projects in the cluster.

2.) Stakeholder engagement and Partnership Management Act as a representative of VSO Nigeria while relating with key stakeholder, identification and appraisal of appropriate partners at all times. Ensure the partner organization is adhering to the
agreements in Partnership Agreement Document. Ensure PO's and Partners relationship managed in the best interest of programme
quality delivery.
3.) Programme Development Assist Youth Programme Manager, Cluster leads in designing and development of new Y4D projects in consultation with partners, youth and other key stake holders;Support cluster leads in identification of potential funding sources..
4.) Reporting, Documentation of impact, Monitoring and Evaluation: To update project stakeholders on project progress, including the
reporting of medical and safety and security incidents. To gather data and produce a project report in accordance with
the programme M&E framework. Support volunteers to produce case studies capturing impact.
5.) Budget Management: Together with counterpart project supervisor, manage the project budget, submitting monthly reports to the partner and country office.
6.) Supervision and line Management: Responsible for Line Management and supervision of projects officers with support of Youth Programmes Manager/ cluster leadsand ensuring minimum standards relating to supervision are adhered to.
7.) Other Duties - Deputize for the Youth Programmes Manager; Assist or take leadership in emergencies as required, working
closely with the security team and other team members; Fulfill other appropriate level responsibilities as defined by the Youth Programs Manager / Head of Programs from time to time.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Program Officers (PO's) minimum of three face to face supervisions sessions for support with adapting and working effectively on the program.
• Program Officers deliver minimum of three face o face supervisions sessions to Team Leaders.
• Safety and security briefings received and action taken when protocols breached.
• Youth Programs Manager is supported by YPO to deliver in-country training and learning activities throughout the programs
• Feedback on learning materials and support for learning received from the ICS teams delivered on time.
• Support and Supervise the PO's to deliver quality ICS programmes in community in line with six quality principles.
• Stakeholder feedback indicates relationships well managed.
• Programme planning incorporates YPO's feedback and contributions.
• All pre-development phase activities and documents meet the deadline.
• Programme briefing information for volunteers reflects YPO inputs.
• Project report submitted in accordance with ICS M&E framework.
• Timely submission of Incident reports to country office and Medical Unit where appropriate.
• Programme stakeholders receive regular updates.
• Monthly team reports submitted to YPM.
• Project comes in within budget.
• Active involvement in other VSO Nigeria.
• Youth Programmes at Cluster and Country level up to 40%.

Skills and Knowledge
Essential:
Youth Work:

• Proven experience of working with and providing support to Youths from a wide range of backgrounds with proven ability to facilitate learning in a non-formal environment

Cross-Cultural Working:

• Ability to communicate to a range of audiences and promote sharing and learning between cultures. Experience of managing change in an international environment. Direct and substantial experience of working cross-culturally.

International Development:

• Knowledge of issues which are common to communities in developing countries, possibly achieved through working or living in a developing country. Experience of promoting learning about development issues.

Communication:

• Possession of strong verbal communication skills to work effectively and inclusively with an overseas colleague.
• Strong written communication skills needed for writing reports.

Supervision:

• Significant experience of working in a supervisory role. Proven ability to promote self-awareness, learning and development among individuals.

Planning and Organizing:

• Able to develop clear and realistic plans to deliver agreed objectives within deadlines, involving key individuals in the planning process.

Desirable
Budget Management:

• Experience of managing budgets and undertaking accounting procedures.

Volunteering:

• Experience of working with volunteers to understand the key factors which make volunteer placements viable, effective and rewarding.

Programme Design and Evaluation:

• Experience of designing and evaluating youth programmes in an international context. Experience of using monitoring and evaluation tools and processes.

NGO Experience:

• Practical experience gained within a volunteering/NGO context and of managing a volunteer programme.

Competencies:

Working together:

• Adds Value
• Proactively enables and encourages team work in others.

Communications and influencing:

• Strength Inspires others by: advocating plans and ideas within and outside VSO; maintaining a wide and influential network; Coaching.

Managing Knowledge:

• Adds Value Proactively seeks out new knowledge sources (people and data); uses and shares knowledge effectively.

Striving for excellence:

• Adds Value Sets and measures challenging objectives for self and others; gives evidence-based feedback that helps others to excel.

Managing Resources:

• Adds Value Organises own and others' work to meet objectives; clarifies accountability of roles; allocates budget wisely; seeks ways to generate and save money.

Managing People:

• Strength Requests and follows up on appropriate support from others; raises concerns about un-co-operative colleagues in an appropriate way.

Developing People:

• Strength Gives constructive feedback that helps others identify and meet development needs.

Leading for the Future:

• Adds Value Actively promotes VSO's work and values; recognises others' success; generates and implements new ideas.

Thinking Strategically:

• Adds Value Makes decisions based on a range of internal and external factors and longterm impact; consults widely across disciplines.

Delivering Results:

• Adds Value Analyses objectives, considers options, plans and manages appropriately; holds self and team accountable for achieving goals.

Application Closing Date
4th August, 2014.

Interview/Assessment date(s)
12th August, 2014.

Start Date
1st September, 2014.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here to download the job description in PDF format