Job Description
BackgroundYouth Advocates is a youth-led organization dedicated to ending extreme poverty by raising an empowered, healthy, and resilient generation of adolescents and young people. Establishedin 2004, the organisation is committed to empowering underserved children, adolescents, andyouth who are furthest from opportunity to achieve quality lives, good health, economicindependence, resilience, and leadership. With over 15 years of experience in skills building, entrepreneurship, social behaviour change, and youth-led innovation, Youth Advocates has become a trusted leader in human-centred design and effective approaches. Backed by rigorous evidence, we are pioneering a solution that lifts young people out of extreme poverty, improves their well-being and resilience, and ensures a brighter future forgenerations to come, aligned with national development goals.
Duties and Responsibilities
Call OverviewYouth Advocates is seeking proposals from Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) inZimbabwe to implement evidence-based, high-impact, and scalable interventions that supportyouth skills and entrepreneurship through the Youth Enterprise Graduation Model.Funding Details• Grant ceiling: USD 50,000 per year• Grant duration: Up to 2 years (maximum total USD 100,000)• Expected start date: 1 July 2025Priority AreasProposals must focus on layered interventions that build social assets, skills andentrepreneurship, one or more of the following:• Life and soft skills for employability and resilience• Vocational or entrepreneurship training aligned to market needs• Financial literacy and inclusion, including savings group formation• Support for youth-led business incubation and mentorship
Qualifications and Experience
Eligibility CriteriaApplicant organizations must:• Be legally registered and operating in Zimbabwe• Have a minimum of 2 years of experience in youth development or livelihoods• Be based in or working within rural or underserved communities• Demonstrate capacity for financial and programmatic reporting• Align with Youth Advocates’ safeguarding and child protection standards
Application RequirementsSubmit the following in a single PDF:1. Concept (1 page)2. Technical Proposal (max 5 pages)• Context and rationale• Clear objectives and outcomes• Description of activities and delivery strategy• Youth and community engagement approach• Risk and mitigation strategy3. Workplan and Timeline4. Detailed Budget (template provided)5. Organizational Profile• Legal registration proof• Summary of past relevant projects• Key staff profile6. Monitoring & Evaluation Plan with clear indicators7. Safeguarding Policy or Statement8. Two References (preferably funders or technical partners)Evaluation CriteriaProposals will be reviewed based on:• Relevance and clarity of intervention (30%)• Evidence of impact and potential for scalability (20%)• Organizational and financial capacity (20%)• Market Driven approach (15%)• Monitoring and evaluation framework (15%)Safeguarding and ComplianceAll grantees will undergo due diligence and must adhere to Youth Advocates’ safeguarding,anti-fraud, and accountability policies. Training and technical support will be provided whereneeded.
How to Apply
Submission Instructions• Email all applications to grants@yadvocates.org• Subject: RFP – Youth Skills & Entrepreneurship – [Organization Name]• Deadline: 23 June 2025, 17:00 CAT• Late or incomplete submissions will not be reviewed.
Questions or ClarificationsPlease direct enquiries to grants@yadvocates.org no later than 13 June 2025