Country Manager Job at Youth Challenge International (YCI)

Overview

Job Title: Country Manager

The contract length: 1 year, renewable

Job commitment: Full time, 40 hours/ week

Work location: Unguja, Zanzibar

Compensation: 6,500,000 TZS per month including health benefits.

Start date: March 2025.

Youth Challenge International (YCI)

 

 

Regarding Youth Challenge International (YCI):

YCI is a renowned global youth development organization that encourages youth creativity to effect positive change. Together with our partners, we develop market-ready solutions that propel youth around the world to success and prosperity; we are motivated by youth and their ability to effect positive change in the world. Our solutions are focused, with the young people we develop for and with at the forefront of the dialog. Our strategy is based on innovation and is continually growing to meet changing needs and market realities. YCI is an organization that brings together diversity and talent to create a better future for kids around the world.

 

 

The HerStart: Innovate the Future.

The Youth Challenge International launched HerStart: Innovate the Future to promote sustainable economic development, entrepreneurship, and social impact for women and communities in Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The HerStart program is aimed for ambitious female entrepreneurs, offering skill-based training, coaching, and money to help them start or develop a social enterprise. Canadian volunteers are recruited, trained, and deployed to help YCI and its partners achieve their ambitious goals. The HerStart program is administered collaboratively with partner groups in each country of operation, reducing silos and improving long-term community impact. A broader supportive ecosystem is catalyzed to identify and solve gendered impediments, thereby creating enabling conditions for young women in each situation.

 

 

The Position Summary:

The Country Manager will report to the Regional Project Manager and contribute leadership, initiative, and innovation to HerStart’s management and growth in Tanzania. This position is responsible for fulfilling project goals and increasing YCI’s effect at the national level. The ideal candidate exhibits people-centered leadership for staff, partners, and volunteers, ensuring that they are well-equipped to apply YCI values across all activities and achieve organizational and program goals.

 

We are looking for an experienced, creative, and passionate leader who can produce excellent results. We are seeking for team members who believe in youth as strong change agents and are committed to empowering women by advancing national and global gender equality agendas.

 

The Responsibilities include:

• The Program Management: Oversee the implementation of all HerStart program components, such as entrepreneur assistance, volunteer management, and project grants for participants and partners, using synchronized processes to accomplish goals and objectives.
• To manage country-specific reporting and annual work planning operations.
• To manage and implement country-level human resource management, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management.
• Create a thriving team culture by leading, managing, and improving team capabilities to produce a high-quality project.
• To collaborate on the development and execution of country-specific communication, gender equality, and climate action strategies.
• The Finance, Operation, and Risk Management: Monitor and manage yearly and multiyear program budgets in accordance with donor criteria and work objectives.
• To ensure that the organization complies with national rules and regulations.
• Ensure the creation and submission of high-quality financial papers and reports.
• To monitor and manage the program’s risk profile inside the country.
• As the focal point for all risk, safety, and security occurrences, ensure that YCI’s risk, safety, and security protocols are monitored and applied throughout the project.
• The Partnership Development and Management: Oversee local partnerships to ensure the successful delivery of collaborative project activities.
• To engage multiple ecosystem actors (government, non-profit, and private sectors) to create a multi-stakeholder network to support youth, women’s empowerment, and entrepreneurship goals.
• Ensure that excellent communication and relationships are built and maintained with all partners and the YCI headquarters in Toronto, Canada.
• Stay informed about national and regional priorities and concerns affecting women and youth, and, where possible, position the project and partnerships to respond effectively.
• The strategic Initiatives: Lead the national team in developing and implementing annual country strategic action plans that are aligned with the YCI Strategic Plan.
• To pursue and manage new financial and public engagement possibilities in accordance with the Country Strategic Action Plan. Maintain current knowledge of research, best practices, and sector plans to ensure that strategic decisions are relevant and impactful.
• The Strategic engagements and connection building will help YCI expand its brand and visibility.
• Carry out/ perform any other duties assigned by the Regional Project Manager or CEO.

 

The Skills and experience:

• You are an experienced leader with at least 8 years of progressive, responsible leadership experience at the management or director level.
• You have a successful track record of co-designing, managing, and implementing donor-funded projects, as well as a demonstrated commitment to team management, mentoring, and supervision; you can show how you have built effective teams and partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders, including government, community leaders, donors, the private sector, and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
• You have a strategic perspective and are capable of creating and implementing successful work plans.
• You have good financial planning and budgeting skills.
• You have extensive expertise guiding successful community development.
• You are deeply committed to investing in the livelihoods of women and youth, and you are driven by innovation and entrepreneurship.
• You understand the importance of volunteerism and, preferably, have previous experience working with volunteers.
• Ideally, you can demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of economic inclusion, gender equality, and climate action.
• You have strong writing and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili, and are a permanent resident or citizen of Tanzania with the ability to live and work in Zanzibar.

 

 

The Preventing sexual abuse and exploitation:

The Youth Challenge International (YCI) has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), and any such acts are considered gross misconduct and grounds for termination. YCI understands the unequal power relations that exist in international development work, as well as our responsibility to respect the human rights of the people we serve and to offer a safe environment free of sexual exploitation. Everyone is responsible for preventing sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), and all employees must sign and follow the PSEA Policy and Code of Conduct at all times. All employees must ensure that they understand and comply with this condition.

 

 

How to submit an application:

The link to the application can be found here. Please submit your CV as a single PDF document with a maximum of four pages and the following format: “First Name Last Name_ Country Manager“.

The application deadline is February 24, 2025, at 5:00pm EAT; however, applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are strongly encouraged.

When screening applications, YCI takes a people-focused approach. We do not use artificial intelligence in our recruitment procedure.

The YCI welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. To execute our objective, we rely on the diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees, volunteers, and partners. We realize that different perspectives require an inclusive culture to thrive, one that is respectful and accepting to all. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for employees, candidates, volunteers, partners, and visitors of all backgrounds, ages, religions, races, gender identities, physical abilities, and sexual orientations; a place where people can be themselves and feel celebrated for it.

If you require accommodations throughout the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to satisfy your requirements. We genuinely appreciate all candidates’ interest in working with us.

Only those selected for interviews will be contacted.