Position Summary
\nThe Country Director will provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the organisation\u2019s portfolio in Zambia. This role requires a dynamic leader capable of managing a complex, integrated programming model that combines Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)\u2014delivered through both fixed centres and mobile\/outreach units\u2014with holistic support systems including Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, Work Readiness, ISAL (Internal Savings and Lending), and SRHR\/Wellness services.
\nThe Country Director serves as the organisation\u2019s primary representative to the Young Africa federation, the government of Zambia, donors, and partners. S\/he is responsible for ensuring programme quality, driving financial sustainability through fundraising, fostering a culture of accountability and high-performance, and ensuring compliance with local laws and organisational policies. We expect the Country Director to be an inspiring role model for staff and students in compassion and integrity, and embody the DNA of Young Africa.
\nKey Responsibilities
\n1. Strategic Leadership & Programme Oversight
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Integrated Model Execution:\u00a0Oversee the high-quality implementation of the organisation\u2019s unique integrated skills training model, ensuring synergy between vocational training and soft skills components (SRHR, ISAL, entrepreneurship, Wellness, digital skills).
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mobile and Centre Strategy:\u00a0Balance resources and strategic focus between high-investment Centre-Based training and agile Mobile\/Outreach units to maximise reach in rural and peri-urban areas.\u00a0Aligning Mobile Training to local contexts while remaining true to model design principles.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Curriculum Relevance:\u00a0Champion market-relevant vocational education curricula by establishing feedback loops with local industries to ensure graduates possess the technical and work-readiness skills currently in demand. Collaborate with accreditation authorities to ensure recognition of qualifications.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Impact Measurement:\u00a0drive a culture of evidence-based decision-making, ensuring M&E systems effectively capture the multi-dimensional impact of the programme (economic empowerment outcomes, health outcomes, and financial inclusion). Aligning and harmonising M&E systems with Federation systems.
\n2. Fundraising, Resource Mobilisation & Partnerships
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Donor Cultivation:\u00a0Identify,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0secure, and retain funding from institutional donors (e.g. USAID, EU, UN agencies, Embassies), corporate foundations, and private philanthropists with an interest in Youth Employment, TVET, and Public Health. Also build local resourcing networks within the not-for-profit sector.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Proposal Development:\u00a0Collaborate with the Fundraising Team of YA International to develop high-quality funding proposals and concept notes that articulate the value of the integrated \u201cTVET + Wellness + Entrepreneurship\u201d approach.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Strategic Partnerships:\u00a0Build coalitions with private sector partners to facilitate internships, apprenticeships, and job placements for graduates.
\n3. Government Relations & Advocacy
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Representation:\u00a0Serve as the primary spokesperson for the organisation in national forums, TVET working groups, and civil society platforms.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Compliance & Liaison:\u00a0Maintain strong relationships with relevant ministries (e.g., Ministry of Youth, Ministry responsible for vocational education, Ministry of Health) to ensure alignment with national development plans and secure necessary accreditations for training certifications.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Policy Advocacy:\u00a0Advocate for policies that support youth employment, financial inclusion for marginalised groups, and the recognition of non-formal vocational training.
\n4. People Management & Organisational Culture
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Team Leadership:\u00a0Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse Senior Management Team (SMT), fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and psychological safety.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Capacity Building:\u00a0Identify staff training needs, particularly in cross-cutting areas (e.g., technical trainers\u2019 understanding of SRHR principles), to ensure a holistic delivery mindset.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Performance Management:\u00a0Oversee performance management systems, ensuring clear KPIs are linked to the organisation\u2019s strategic goals.
\n5. Financial Management & Operational Compliance
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Budget Management:\u00a0Hold overall accountability for the country budget, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and strict adherence to donor compliance requirements.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Risk Management:\u00a0Identify and mitigate operational, financial, and reputational risks, particularly those associated with mobile outreach operations in remote areas.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Governance:\u00a0Ensure all operations comply with local labor laws, tax regulations, and NGO board directives.
\n6.\u00a0Security
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Manage security and safety of the entire country team and Young Africa assets according to best practices, YA operating standards and field realities.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ensure the safety and security of staff members through regular review and adaptation of security protocols and procedures, including the country security plan. Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies
\nQualifications & Requirements
\nEducation
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Master\u2019s degree in International Development, Adult Education, Public Health, Applied Entrepreneurship, Business Administration (MBA), or a related field.
\nExperience
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Senior Management:\u00a0Minimum of 10+ years of progressive management experience in the (I)NGO\/Development sector, with at least 5 years in a Senior Leadership role (Country Director, Deputy Country Director, or Program Director).
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Sector Expertise:\u00a0Proven experience managing\u00a0TVET\/Youth Employment\/youth entrepreneurship programmes. Familiarity with\u00a0SRHR, Financial Inclusion (VSLA\/ISAL), or Entrepreneurship\u00a0support is highly desirable.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fundraising:\u00a0Demonstrated track record of securing significant funding ($1M+) from bilateral\/multilateral donors and corporations.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Operational Agility:\u00a0Experience managing decentralised or mobile operations (outreach teams) in resource-constrained environments.
\nKey Competencies
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Strategic Vision:\u00a0Ability to see the \u201cbig picture\u201d of how health, wealth, and skills intersect to alleviate poverty.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Stakeholder Management:\u00a0Exceptional diplomacy and negotiation skills for navigating complex government and donor landscapes.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Business Acumen:\u00a0Ability to view the NGO through a sustainability lens, understanding social enterprise models and cost-recovery mechanisms.
\n\u25cf\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Adaptability:\u00a0Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and managing crises.
\nKey Success Indicators (First 12 Months)<\/p>\n
Funding:\u00a0Secure at least 2 grants to support scaling the work in Zambia. Secure funding from Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to support vulnerable youth\u2019s participation in the organisation\u2019s training.
\nPlacement Rate:\u00a0Achieve a 70%% rate of graduates transitioning into employment or self-employment within 6 months of training.
\nPartnership:\u00a0Formalize 10 new MOUs with government bodies or private sector industry partners.
\nIntegration:\u00a0Successfully implement a unified M&E framework that tracks both economic (income) and social (health\/savings) outcomes for beneficiaries.
\nHuman resources:\u00a0Establish a strong, coherent, productive and motivated team for the country operation.
\nCompliance:\u00a0Clean internal and external audits, timely donor reports, achievement of all approved project targets.
\nCollaboration: An attitude of collaboration and co-creation with members of the YA federation.<\/p>\n
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