She Leads Youth Engagement & Advocacy Officer  lead the overall implementation, management and coordination of all programmatic aspects of the youth engagement and planned advocacy strategies, events to realize the desired results in the She Leads Project in accordance with the approved proposal, detailed implementation plan, project monitoring and evaluation plan, project performance framework, procurement and supply management plan, detailed budget, training plan. This role will coordinate and support the partner implementation and youth groups for the realization of equal rights and opportunities for girls and young women in project communities in Liberia.

The She Leads consortium brings together child rights organizations, feminist/women’s rights organizations, and GYW-led groups and aims to increase sustained influence of girls and young women (GYW) on decision-making and the transformation of gender norms in formal and informal institutions.  The programme envisages to achieve its goal by working through collective action of girls and young women in a gender-responsive civil society (civil society domain); support increased acceptance of positive social gender norms (socio-cultural domain); enabling meaningful participation of girls and young women in decision-making by political institutions (institutional domain).

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

The Youth Engagement & Advocacy Officer is a national positon that works across all target counties and implementing on establishing sustainable youth programme, capacity building efforts, organization of ‘actor of change program’, innovations and building youth resilience effort and planning and facilitating advocacy strategies, programmes and event with youth groups…the role will coordinate efforts on youth engagement at national and local level on holding stakeholders accountable to action for youth especially girls. The coordinator will maintain a platform for supporting champion of change at community level and corridor for amplifying voices of rights of young people women and children.

The YE Officer in collaboration with the She Leads consortium will advance the country strategy on rights based reflections in development and strategy for capacity strengthening for civil society organizations. He/she contributes to the capacity strengthening (e.g. through trainings) of these CSO’s and support their youth engagement platform and advocacy strategies.

Accountabilities

• Develop strategies to increase She Leads Project engagement with young people in Nimba County.
• Liaise with Youth Engagement Officer of implementing partners and Liberia Country Team to ensure safe youth participation in She Leads activities
• Provide opportunities for young people to have a voice and support them in getting involved in sustained advocacy with major stakeholders to provide safe spaces for youth participation and the implementation of SDG# 1,4,5,8,16 and 17
• Identify, recruit and retain Girls-led organization members on an annual basis.
• Identify and strengthen relationships with existing girls-led groups and youth groups at community level support agencies.
• Liaise with She Leads implementing partners and Country Team on events and activities that promote Youth Engagement.
• Ensure at all times that best practice in child protection and welfare standards are adhered to.
• Review the effectiveness of the programme and ensure that implementation is in accordance with desired outcomes.
• Participating as a member of the She Leads County Team in team meetings, project meetings and other forums.
• Carry out such other duties as may reasonably be requested by the Head of your supervisor.
• Conduct partnership management and compliance to the Building Better Partnership Guidance
• Developing initiatives and strategies that will ensure protection and right of children in Liberia.
• Work closely with NLNO to achieve a cohesive and coordinated approach to youth engagement and advocacy on the She Leads Project implementation in Liberia.
• Prepare and submit monthly and quarterly work plans and progress reports detailing tasks (including monitoring plans) on Plan and partner youth engagement implementation.
• Ensure documentation of She Leads case studies, best practices and lessons learned from youth engagement.
• Ensure Child protection and youth/child safe guarding standards are mainstreamed into all youth engagement and community development related program activities in the counties /communities to meet Plan goals;
• Participate in and support Plan’s local partner implementation of activities, in order to increase the impact of the She Leads Project
• Assist in designing training tools for partner/GYW training and arrange for refresher training for partners and staff where necessary.
• Carry out capacity gap analysis and assessments that reflect real needs for project staff (Plan and partners) and coordinate training sessions based on gaps identified to build their capacities on quality programming
• Facilitate the involvement and contribution of stakeholders at all levels in the process of refining and improving project implementation within the counties.
• Promote mutual learning and the sharing of ideas, information and experience on child protection and lobby and advocacy on girls and young women’s right issues
• Ensure Community Leaders are involved and their capacities built to promote the She Leads Project
• Perform any other duties as assigned by Supervisor(s).
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Essential

• At least four (4) years of demonstrable experience in leadership and management of development work preferably in INGO sector with evidence of project management skills or trainings
• University degree preferable or equivalent practical experience in interdisciplinary areas within human rights, social science, international development and program leadership.
• At least five (2) years of experience a managerial role, preferably in a social development setting and youth organization.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to undertake strategic and programme planning, budget management with good excel skills and analytical writing skills that reflect results around organization of youth group and working with young people
• Good communication and facilitation skills.
• Strong understanding of gender equality programing and meaningful child participation.
• Knowledge of development challenges and contexts in Liberia, particularly child rights, girl’s rights and child protection.
• Demonstrated experience working collaboratively and supportively without the need for close supervision.
• Proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet, SAP).
• Experience in project management and Community led approaches is a must.Desirable

• Believe in the potential of all people to succeed if given the right support and willingness to multi-task.
• Ability to perform under stress, innovative, build relationships, coach and mentor, facilitate change, develop teams, initiate action, strategic decision making, planning and organizing.
• Lead through vision and mission and a personal commitment to children’s development and protection.