YCI is a leading global youth development organization that promotes youth innovation to drive positive change. Together with our partners we create market ready solutions that catapult youth around the world to succeed and prosper; we are driven by youth and their potential to affect positive change in the world. Our solutions are focused – always keeping the young people we are designing for and with at the center of the conversation. Our approach is rooted in creativity and constantly evolving to respond to changing needs and market realities. YCI is an organization where diversity and talent come together to shape a better future for youth around the world.
HerStart: Innovate the Future
HerStart: Innovate the Future is an initiative developed by Youth Challenge International to foster and create innovative solutions for a more equitable and prosperous economy within Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda.
The program includes training and support for aspiring entrepreneurs in social enterprise, gender responsive business planning, the measurement of social impact, and access to finance. Canadian volunteers will be engaged in providing human capital support activities through on-site placements and capacity building initiatives with partner organizations.
Position Summary:
Reporting to the Project Lead in Zanzibar, the Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator will play a key role in the HerStart team, providing technical entrepreneurship support to all project stakeholders. Collaborating with partner organizations, the YCI team, Canadian volunteers, the Entrepreneurship Program Coordinator will coordinate activities related to training, coaching, mentorship, and funding for HerStart participants. They will ensure training quality through coaching and support to HerStart facilitators to meet the changing needs of young women entrepreneurs.
We are seeking a passionate, skilled, and creative candidate with social entrepreneurship and learning experience to deliver exceptional results. We are looking for people to join our team who believe in youth as powerful agents of change, and those who are passionate about contributing to women’s empowerment and advancing both national and global gender equality agendas.
Responsibilities include:
Small Business Growth and Technical Leadership: Coordinate the HerStart coaching and mentorship programs to inspire a culture of entrepreneurship across the program in Zanzibar; Leverage tools such as the Business Model Canvas to inform participants enterprise research, prototyping and planning, and identification of market appropriate value chain opportunities; Coordinate support for HerStart participants applying for the Catalyst Fund; Provide partners, mentors, staff and volunteers with coaching on how to effectively support HerStart participants.
Training Quality Assurance: Act as a Master Trainer for HerStart facilitators in Zanzibar; Provide technical support in the preparation of training modules and learning materials on main project themes, including social entrepreneurship, green business and women’s leadership development; Develop and deliver trainings and resources for HerStart facilitators to better meet participant needs; Closely monitor training quality and design and contribute to ongoing quality improvement of training materials and processes as needed; Work closely with HerStart Master Trainers in Uganda and Ghana to share insights and lessons learned.
Ecosystem Development: Grow and maintain a network of robust mentors who can tangibly support enterprise development; Refer entrepreneurs to resources necessary to maximize business growth including funding opportunities, networks, professional services (legal, accounting, planning department) and mentorship opportunities; Engage Canadian volunteers in ecosystem development aligned with participant needs
Volunteer Management: Supervise international volunteers in their professional deliverables that advance the goals of HerStart, and/or partner organizations; Provide coaching and mentorship to ensure their meaningful engagement and integration into the HerStart program; Leverage their expertise in the development and delivery of initiatives; Support in the onboarding of volunteers and support their success.
Skills and Experience
You are a self-starter with 2+ years of enterprise development experience in Zanzibar; you are passionate about investing in women and youth livelihoods and inspired by the potential of innovation and entrepreneurship; you have a talent for fostering relationships with young people and diverse stakeholders; you are aligned with the Lean Startup approach and familiar with design thinking; you have demonstrated the ability to mentor and support ventures at both the start-up and growth phase, informed by a strong network and keen understanding of the Zanzibari entrepreneurial ecosystem; you possess a learning orientation and willingness to participate in ongoing professional and personal development; you thrive as a team member and work respectfully and inclusively with diverse stakeholders, including international volunteers; you are passionate about participatory approaches to training and learning and have experience in facilitation; you demonstrate an integrated understanding of the principles of gender equality and the empowerment of young women, including a familiarity with the socio-economic profile of young women in Zanzibar; you should demonstrate commitment to issues and programs in gender equality and women’s empowerment; You are an effective communicator with excellent written and verbal English proficiency and you are a permanent resident or a Citizen of Tanzania (preference will be given to Zanzibar residents.)
