Portfolio Manager/advisor, Youth Empowerment

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We are looking for a Portfolio Manager / Advisor - Youth Empowerment to be responsible for the design, development, coordination, and implementation of youth empowerment programmes within SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia, ensuring programmes are evidence-based, locally relevant, outcome-focused, and fully compliant with standards, donor agreements, and national regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Programme Design and Fund Development

• Lead the design, development, and strategic direction of youth empowerment programmes in collaboration with other departments.
• Conduct thorough research and analysis of political, social, and economic contexts to inform programme design.
• Provide inputs for proposals, concept notes, and funding applications.
• Ensure all programme development aligns with SOS CVE regulations, national laws, and international standards.
• Identify innovative programme elements, tools, or systems to improve effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary focal point for youth empowerment programmes across SOS CVE.
• Collaborate with fundraising and business development teams to secure diverse funding sources

Strategic and Programme Implementation

• Lead the preparation and implementation of startup/coordination plans for youth empowerment interventions.
• Oversee all youth-focused projects within SOS CVE to ensure timely, high-quality, and outcome-focused implementation.
• Guide LPDs, location programme managers, and coordinators on planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Monitor outcome-level progress, not just activity completion, and initiate improvements in approaches and strategies.
• Ensure timely government signatory approvals where required.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Quality Assurance

• Lead quality assurance exercises for youth-focused projects and activities, ensuring adherence to SOS CVE standards and donor requirements.
• Support establishment/revision of processes, procedures, and systems to maintain high-quality service delivery.
• Capacitate staff at all levels on monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance practices.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and high-quality reporting to donors and government authorities.
• Analyze programme data to illustrate impact and disseminate evidence of good practices.
• Collaborate with the MEAL team to conduct audits, evaluations, and technical support in the youth empowerment portfolio.
• Promote the use of programme data and ICT systems (PDB2, ProDIGI, Compass) for decision-making.

Knowledge Management and Advisory Services

• Identify and document lessons learned, good practices, and innovations in youth empowerment programming.
• Promote cross-functional learning across departments and locations.
• Provide advisory services to management, facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building in youth empowerment.
• Actively participate in relevant national, regional, and continental forums, campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.

Collaboration and Partnership Building

• Identify and build strategic partnerships with organizations, government authorities, and other stakeholders to strengthen youth empowerment programme implementation.
• Overcome barriers to collaboration and ensure integrated approaches across the portfolio.
• Represent SOS CVE in youth empowerment networks and forums

Managing People and Resources

• Provide leadership, technical guidance, and performance management for staff under supervision.
• Define roles and responsibilities, support professional development, and coordinate team efforts toward organizational goals.
• Ensure budget compliance and efficient use of resources according to approved procedures and donor requirements.

Essential Requirements (Must-Have) Education

• Master's Degree or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Pedagogical Science, Economics, Business Administration, Development Studies or related discipline
• With at least 5 years of working experience in children, youth and family development.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Pedagogical Science, Economics, Business administration, Development Studies or related discipline
• With above 7 years of working experience in children, youth and family development.

Desired Assets (Nice-to-Have)

• Experiences in working with hosting institutions for internship, job shadowing and employment.
• Experience on implementation and management of green job initiatives.
• Experiences in working with the target group, i.e., vulnerable children, youth, families and community
• Demonstrable expertise in youth empowerment in donor-funded projects
• Good command of English, written and spoken

Competencies Lead Competency

• Role model Act as a role model for the organization, living our values and inspiring and learning from others
• Collaboration: Remove barriers to participation, share decision-making and build partnerships
• Empowerment: Promote inclusion and equitable sharing of power
• Strategic Thinking Live the values and mission, setting realistic goals and translating them into actionable plans

Core Competency

• Kindness Act with empathy towards everyone he/she works with.
• Continuous Learning Make an effort to learn, understand and grow as a person, admitting your own mistakes.
• Inclusiveness In any actions, show respect and care for others.
• Initiative: speak up when things are not right, do not hesitate to act, and adapt to change when necessary.
• Results Orientation look for solutions and focus on desired results.