Job Vacancy @ Restless Development – Youth Collective and Grants Coordinator (Sierra Leone)

Job Description

ABOUT RESTLESS DEVELOPMENT

Restless Development has been in Sierra Leone since 2005, working with and for young people to design and deliver youth-led programmes that tackle some of the biggest issues facing the country. When Ebola broke out in 2014, Restless Development worked with the next generation of young people – including 3,000 social mobilisers – to reach and build trust with communities across half of the country, playing a critical role as the country put an end to the disease. Now, Restless Development is working with hundreds of young leaders in every district of Sierra Leone to unleash the power and agency that exists within communities, strengthen the provision of key services, and build a new future for Sierra Leone. You can read more about the Sierra Leone Hub and all current programmes on our website (https//restlessdevelopment.org/country/Sierra-Leone).

Our newest programme is Catalysing Youth Leadership for Education Reform project

Catalysing Youth Leadership for Education Reform is an innovative and exciting new pilot project for Restless Development Sierra Leone, funded by the Postcode Education Trust. The project will focus on making education systems fit for purpose and equipping young people for the world of work. We know that education is a top priority for young people all over the world – since the start of the pandemic young leaders have been telling us that the disruption to their education and livelihoods has been one of the most significant impacts of the pandemic on their lives. Tapping into the findings and recommendations from a piece of youth-led research that Restless Development conducted in 2021 – By Us, For Us – this pilot project will:

• Establish a youth collective for Education – linking to the global Youth Collective
• Co-create and launch an Education Youth Fund
• Deliver youth-led education projects; and
• Host a learning event at the end of the project to discuss and share the findings.

The pilot will integrate the three strands of Restless Development’s new strategic direction; strengthening youth civil society, resourcing youth-led development and co-creating programmatic models with young leaders.

OUR APPROACH TO SAFEGUARDING

Restless Development considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults to be an organisational imperative with primacy over the success of programmes or strategic objectives. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we expect all of our staff, volunteers and partners to ensure we protect the communities in which we operate from harm and abide by our Safeguarding Policy.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Job title 
Youth Collective and Grants Coordinator

Location 
Freetown, Sierra Leone

Salary 
SLL 105273056  plus benefits

Preferred start date 
1^st  April 2022 (subject to donor funding)

Length of contract 
1 year minimum

Reports to  
Senior Manager Education and Living

Direct reports  
None

Expected travel 
National travel to districts expected, possible international travel

Job Purpose

The Youth Collective and Grants Coordinator will lead on planning, implementing and monitoring the Catalysing Youth Leadership for Education Reform pilot project. We are looking for a dynamic and motivated coordinator to mobilise the Youth Collective in Sierra Leone and ensure that the project is delivered on time, to a high quality, and in the most efficient way to deliver maximum impact. The Coordinator will establish an Education focused ‘chapter’ of the Youth Collective, and work with Youth Collective members to design and launch an Education Youth Fund – a source of funding that will provide flexible opportunities for local education focused organisations to deliver projects that are most appropriate for their communities and peers.

The Youth Collective and Grants Coordinator will engage in medium and long-term planning and strategy activities, not just for the Postcode Education Trust pilot project, but to support the global Youth Collective ambition as a whole. They will ensure continuous quality improvement of the programme and will contribute towards a successful environment for the Education Youth Collective members. Furthermore, the Youth Collective and Grants Coordinator will also liaise with the Head of Programmes and Partnerships to maintain quality grants coordination. Reporting to the Senior Manager Education and Living, this position will work closely with all departments and staff including Programme Managers, Finance, and Operations on compliance, donor relations, business development and reporting. In addition, the Coordinator will support the production of quality and timely documentation, in compliance with the donor’s requirements and organisational guidelines, and contribute to a constant learning and capacity building process.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Programme Management

• Work closely with the Senior Education and Living Manager to oversee and support the implementation of the Catalysing Youth Leadership for Education Reform pilot project in line with Restless Development’s project management guidelines.
• Ensure the project is implemented within the agreed scope, budget and timeframe and that objectives are met.
• Oversee comprehensive activity planning for the project, with a special focus on the resources that are required to ensure smooth implementation.
• Remain informed on ongoing trends and innovations in the education sector nationally and globally and humanitarian/development community, all with a view towards possible new strategies and approaches.
• Coordinate Youth Collective activities within Sierra Leone, and contribute to the leadership of the global Youth Collective.
• Ensure all relevant documents related to the designated project(s) are produced and filed according to Restless Development and donor guidelines and easily accessible in real-time to all relevant personnel.

2. Grants Management and Compliance

• Manage the design and implementation of the Education Youth Fund, ensuring that sub-grants are well administered, and all units are fully informed of relevant donor compliance regulations and Restless Development’s procedures.
• Raise compliance issues proactively with programme staff and senior staff in relevant departments.
• Support grant reviews, revisions, amendments and budget realignments, including relevant internal approvals.
• Lead on the organisation and follow-up of project cycle meetings (grant opening meetings, monthly grant review meetings, and grant closeout meetings) in collaboration with the relevant Project Managers.

3. Communications and visibility 

• Act as the focal point for Hub communications on the project.
• Contribute to the development of all (internally and externally produced) communications materials.
• Support Restless Development Sierra Leone’s efforts to create and maintain positive and effective relations with media outlets and professionals.
• Create media packages and draft reports and disseminate to media outlets.
• Contribute to the design of all public events, advocacy and outreach campaigns and events related to the YCE and other projects.
• Support, when needed, in the implementation of advocacy activities, especially locally.

4. Financial management

• Ensure that Restless Development finance policies, and procedures are adhered to.
• Prepare budgets and requisitions, understanding the approved budget position per item line.
• Contribute to the detailed monthly/quarterly variance analysis of budgets.
• Ensure requisitions and retirements are appropriately implemented and that expenditures are backed by the required supporting documentations.

5. Representation

• Proactively engage into relationships with relevant stakeholders; including the Youth Collective, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Donors, UN agencies and other NGOs, and represent Restless Development at relevant meetings in order to facilitate and ensure cooperation and partnerships.
• Connect with the RINGO project, which is reimagining the role of the INGO and global civil society, to share learning from this pilot project.
• Seek out and actively participate in relevant networks or task groups on specific education issues.
• Accompany donors and other visitors on field trips and ensure programme details are transmitted in a timely manner.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for people with the right competencies and skills for the role, and who demonstrate the personal qualities consistent with our Values. ​

Values
Behaviours
What we expect of the  Youth Collective and Grants Coordinator

HEART
We are who we serve.  We are brave.
Values-led
Embeds a values led culture within their team. Uses values to guide decision making and group actions.

Innovation
Is driven to generate ideas which continually improve ways of working, involving others in problem solving. Adapts style to cope with and support others through change.

HEAD
We are 100% professional.  We prove that young people can
Delivers Quality
Strives for continual improvement against individual goals, seeking opportunities to maximise their contribution to team priorities. Supports others to deliver quality and improve their work. Takes ownership for ensuring value-for-money in the areas for which they are responsible

Decision-Making
With guidance, takes ownership for logistics elements and/or internal processes. Considers underlying issues and Restless Values when making operational decisions

VOICE
We generate leaders.  We are proud to carry the banner for youth-led development.
Leadership
Confidently leads logistics elements and/or internal processes. Will manage two or more staff members and is seen as a leader amongst their peers

People Development
Regularly seeks feedback and evaluates own performance, creating opportunities for personal development. Develops others through proactive sharing of knowledge, skills and opportunities

HANDS
We are in it together.  We listen and learn.
Effective Communication
Confidently adapts their communication style to suit their audience. Is able to influence others to build shared understanding.

Collaboration
Seeks opportunities to collaboratively deliver quality against team goals by building strong relationships with colleagues from across the organisation. Works with external partners to maximise mutual benefits.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential
Experience of developing Youth Funds or grants for community organisations.Strong track record in grant management.Practical experience in leading online and in-person training sessions (including designing, organising, coordinating, delivering, and following up on interactive training sessions) using participatory approaches.Strong relationship management skills.Experience of overseeing and implementing safeguarding measures, with a strong knowledge of safeguarding.Experience of working with downstream partners, particularly in supporting youth-led organizations.Knowledge of key issues affecting the education sector.A clear understanding of contemporary development topics and issues in the field of youth and international development.Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Krio.Excellent IT skills, with experience using Gmail, Google Drive, Excel and Word.Experience of M&E and donor reporting of development projects.Experience of budget preparation, and financial and/or budget management of development projects.Commitment to Restless Development’s values and strategy ( available on the Restless Development website).

Desirable
Experience of co-creating project activities with partners and community led organisations. Ability to multi-task and independently organize work and prioritize tasks. Flexible and creative.Ability to work calmly under pressure and efficiently manage heavy workload.Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.Willingness and availability to work from Restless Development regional offices from time to time.

Restless Development is an Equal Opportunities employer and welcomes applications from young people, women, those living with HIV, disabled people, and other marginalised groups.

WHAT WE DO FOR YOU

Remuneration

We are proud to commit to a transparent global salary scale, ensuring a fair and comparable system of pay across all global locations, taking in to account statutory benefits.  In addition to salary, we offer End of Service Benefit, and NASSIT (10% employer contribution) for all staff.

Values and Culture

At Restless Development, we’re proud that the strength and integrity of our values has been recognised by staff, beneficiaries, donors and others who we work with.  Beyond this, we have a culture of recognising and celebrating both our values and our global achievements with monthly Values Champions and an annual Values Day.

Work-life balance

It goes without saying that we work hard at Restless Development.  We also recognise the importance of helping staff to maintain a positive work-life balance by offering:

• 24 days annual leave (in addition to public holidays and with an extra day of annual leave given for each full year of service, up to a maximum of 28 days).
• Access to flexible working.
• Study leave, maternity, paternity or adoption leave, and other leave allowances.
• A day’s leave on your birthday.

Professional development

Restless Development is proud to be an employer who recognises potential and invests in the development of its staff.  We are committed to the professional development of our staff through:

• Empowering opportunities to work on significant projects which stretch and inspire staff – allowing them to develop on-the-job.
• Training and development opportunities, including supporting our staff to identify mentors both within and outside of the agency.
• Quarterly Staff Workshops for all staff to give and receive agency updates, receive training, and socialise.

Travel and medical insurance

Staff are eligible for up to 2,500,000 Le of recoverable medical costs annually.  When travelling with work or working abroad, staff will be covered by Restless Development’s travel insurance.

KEY DATES

Please send a completed application form to sierraleonesjobs​@restlessdevelopment.org​. Closing date for receipt of applications is 18​^th March 2022. CV’s will not be accepted.

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