Project Lead, Ghana at Youth Challenge International

• The Project Lead, Ghana, reporting to the Director, Programs will bring initiative, innovation and leadership to the management of HerStart: Innovate the Future in Ghana and will be accountable for achieving project results at the country level. This role demonstrates people-centred leadership in supporting the YCI team and volunteers in Ghana, ensuring they are well equipped to apply YCI’s principles across all partners and projects in Ghana, and deliver on organisational and program objectives.
• We are seeking a passionate, skilled, and creative candidate 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:

• Program Management: Establish a thriving  team culture by leading, managing and further strengthening the capacity of the YCI Ghana team and Canadian and national volunteers to deliver high quality project impact; Provide strategic support to ensure that activities are meeting goals and targets, recommending evidence-based adjustments as necessary to keep the project on track; Drive the oversight and implementation of country level HR policies and procedures, including the support of recruitment, onboarding and performance management systems; Remain up-to-date on research and sector strategies in relevant areas of programming and ensure strategic planning is responsive to such changes at both the country and global levels; Support the implementation of all country level communication strategies; Ensure team and volunteer well-being, safety, and risk mitigation; Perform other duties as outlines by the Director, Programs.
• Volunteer Support: Work in collaboration with Headquarters and country office staff to develop a robust volunteer management systems, processes and documents for the entire volunteer mobilization cycle; Ensure and manage appropriate conditions for the effective onboarding, performance and project delivery of Canadian volunteers in Ghana; Provide guidance, support and leadership to Canadian volunteers as needed.
• Partner and Relationship Management: Liaise and coordinate with local partners, proactively engaging with sub-contractors to ensure the effective delivery of project activities; Engage private sector and relevant actors in forming a multi-stakeholder network to support youth and women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship objectives; Support the implementation of the HerStart Catalyst Fund for aspiring female social entrepreneurs; Ensure strong communication and relationships are established and maintained with YCI headquarters in Toronto; Remain well-informed about national and regional priorities and issues affecting women and youth, and where possible, position the project to respond appropriately.
• Financial Management, Accountability and Oversight: Monitor and manage annual and multi-year program budgets, ensuring compliance with organizational and donor regulations and requirements; Ensure preparation and submission of financial and project activity reports according to the project reporting processes and standards; Support the Operations and Finance Manager and other technical team leaders to ensure program activities are implemented in accordance with the project budget and work plan.

Required Skills or Experience

• You are a self-starter with 6+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience at a management/director level, with a robust understanding of, and compatible vision, for effective community development;
• you are passionate about investing in women and youth livelihoods and inspired by the possibilities of innovation and entrepreneurship;
• you have an appreciation of the contribution of volunteers to international development and ideally, experienced in supporting or working with volunteers;
• you can demonstrate how you have built effective teams and partnerships and you have leadership capacity and the ability to cultivate lasting relationships to deliver programming through a range of stakeholders, including civil authorities, community group leaders, donors, private sector and other international NGOs;
• you exemplify a strategic mindset and are skilled at designing and implementing effective workplans to achieve ambitious goals with sound financial planning and budget management skills;
• you have a successful track record in supervising, designing, managing and implementing donor-funded projects, with a demonstrated commitment to team management, mentoring and experience supporting staff teams;
• you demonstrate an integrated understanding of the principles of gender equality and the empowerment of girls, including a familiarity with the socio-economic profile of young women in Tamale, Ghana;
• you are an effective communicator with excellent written and verbal English proficiency and
• you are a permanent resident or a Citizen of Ghana.