Fresh Jobs at Youth Network for Community and Sustainable Development

Development & Learning Officer Job Description 

*Cover letter required for consideration* 

Job Summary 

The Development & Learning Officer contributes significantly to the growth and sustainability of Youth Network for Community & Sustainable Development (YNCSD). 

This role is responsible for managing the writing and submission of grant applications and reports, leading the organization’s annual fundraising and donor recognition, and carrying out the administration of the donor database. The Development & Learning Officer works collaboratively across departments on grant activities while stewarding relationships with new and existing donors, and provides support to the CEO and Board of YNCSD on achieving momentous sustainability and Business Development plans. . This role has significant responsibility for overseeing complex projects and is accountable for achieving specific funding goals laid out in the strategic plan. 

This role will oversee internal reporting, and database maintenance of reports and operational support to operationalize the Learning and Monitoring plans of YNCSD so as to drive internal learning, knowledge management, and cross-breeding these into new project designs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

The following are the key duties and responsibilities of the Development Officer: 

Grant Portfolio Management (70%): 

• Writes and leads the development of proposals and reports, manages the submission and agreement processes 
• Takes leadership and full end-to-end responsibility of the proposal pipeline, donor research and BD project management.
• Works collaboratively across departments to compile the necessary information for applications and reports 
• Manages the grant proposal and reporting calendars, and tracks activities in fundraising database and hard-copy filing system 
• Researches funding prospects and keeps an eye on grant and funding trends 
• Works closely with the Senior Programme Associate, and Strategic Advisors to ensure grant requirements are fulfilled on time 
• Makes deliberate efforts to establish linkages with like-minded organizations and position YNCSD for consortium applications and joint proposals 

Donor Relations Management (10%): 

• Maintains detailed records of all donor (including major donors) contact; ensures timely and personal appreciation and recognition is completed 
• Manages weekly Business Development calls and monthly pipeline overview meeting 
• Works with the Communications and Advocacy department to develop and enhance promotion and recognition tools aimed at individual donors (website, print pieces, email content, story/pic/video library, frames, project briefs) 
• Manages the donor recognition and stewardship program, including updating organization policies and procedures 
• Maintains active database of partners, stakeholders and like minded organizations Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning plus Database Administration (20%): 
• Acts as the organization’s database system administrator covering MEL products, Business Development trackers etc. 
• Performs regular database maintenance, including system backups and duplicate management 
• Tracks internal reporting and maintenance of staff and activity reports and synthesize into monthly, quarterly and annual reports 
• Manages monthly Knowledge Management Calls with Executive Team
• Project support 
• Manages projects on an ad hoc basis related to Program Department priorities when needed especially when new projects are won before handing over to a Project Officer. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required: 

• Minimum 2 years of experience in writing winning proposals across a wide range of donors 
• Experience working with large, complex organizational budgets and in an operations role. 
• Excellent written and oral communication, customer service, and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of staff, the board, and external relations. 
• Resourceful and organized with high attention to detail. 
• Ability to effectively prioritize, multi-task, and manage time. 
• Excellent project management skills. 
• Works well independently and collaboratively within a team. 
• Ability to work well in a complex and fluid environment in an organization that is growing. 
• Honest and willing to admit mistakes and ask for help from team members Pro-active and dynamic in delivering work streams 
• Must be an excellent writer 
• We value the health and well-being of our employees, some of the benefits we offer include: 
• Comprehensive and generous health insurance options 
• Paid holidays, time off, and parental leave 
• Flexible work schedules and technology benefits 
• Professional learning and development and educational assistance

YNCSD is an equal opportunity employer with values grounded in promoting equality and inclusion and embracing diversity. We welcome qualified applicants of all races, colors, gender identities, sexual orientations, economic classes, ages, religions, national origins, and ability/disability statuses. Veterans and individuals with lived expertise are encouraged to apply. We respect and seek to empower every member of our Foundation community. We support and celebrate our collective array of cultures, backgrounds, perspectives, skills, and experiences; fully realizing that such diversity is what makes our organization flourish and better enables us to fulfill our mission in the world. 

Job offer: 

Reporting to Founder/CEO 

Salary scale: 70,000 - 150,000 (depending on experience) 

Contract duration: 1-year contract with the intention of extension if need be. Location: Head Office in Abuja. Part-time and hybrid options are possible Start date: 12 April 2023 

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Job Description

The Advocacy officer is expected to develop, organize and execute a wide range of activities to influence policy according to the scope of our programmes, and specific results-oriented projects. S/he will build the policy capacity of our offices and advice on project implementation. S/he will carry out policy analysis and the writing of position statements of our organization.

Together with leading technical staff, s/he will play an active role in networking, lobbying, and representing the organization in a wide range of policy issues at events, conventions, and media opportunities. S/he will be able to integrate communication tools and channels in her/his work.

The Officer will provide editorial and production assistance and support the general operations and workflow of YNCSD Communications and Advocacy Department. H/her efforts actively contribute to communications and advocacy projects and products that continually raise YNCSD public profile, visibility, and innovation in global health aligned with YNCSD mission and strategic plan.

The Officer must possess versatile communications skills set and assist in a range of tasks including writing, formatting, copyediting, proofreading, social media, and designing and producing routine products and deliverables (e.g. technical reports, PowerPoint presentations, handouts, invitations, and flyers). S/he also coordinates support for more complex products, including providing detailed specifications and managing review processes and timelines. S/he supports the department’s management of organizational conference participation and technical publishing through assisting in the dissemination of materials and managing tracking and production calendars and logistics for conferences and other events.

The Officer will play a key role in the department’s workflow by managing requests for support submitted from staff throughout the organization via an online form (e.g., for graphic design, technical publication editing and formatting, handouts and materials for events, business cards, presentation assistance, translation services). As part of this role, the Officer coordinates outsourcing of translation, printing, and other communications-related services, including contacting external consultants/firms, reviewing proposals/estimated costs, liaising with project managers and vendors, and reviewing final products to assure consistency with YNCSD standards and guidelines, working with printing firms, and coordinating invoicing and payment. S/he is well-versed in YNCSD administrative and procurement processes.

Main responsibilities

• Facilitate and guide our institutional advocacy strategy;
• Facilitate the development of joint advocacy strategies with partners associated networks, partners and other offices of our organization;
• Develop strategic partnerships with key actors to achieve our policy goals;
• Act as a spokesperson liaison to media, governments, and other actors;
• Take the lead in organizing media outreach; arrange all media contacts, press briefings, and interviews; provide talking points and other materials as needed for senior staff; respond to media inquiries quickly and effectively.
• Coordinate production of a diverse range of information products including audio/visual communications, when needed to achieve specific policy goals;
• Support and advise the other offices to carry out lobby and advocacy properly;
• Ensure timely development of position papers, policy briefings, presentations, and other advocacy materials and communication media;
• Identify key opportunities in the short and long-term in which we can influence policy processes;
• Advice technical staff and the management for meaningful engagement with key actors and institutions;
• Support opportunities for fundraising regarding policy interventions;
• Support and coordinate the relevant regional policy processes and activities of regional offices, especially with regard to global/international policy processes and fora related to wetlands and other societal issues.

 Profile of the candidate

The Communications and Advocacy officer should have experience in formulating and implementing organizational policy strategies. S/he must demonstrate a commitment to the cause either through previous job experiences or any other activities related to our mission. S/he should have a solid track record in representing organizations before different for a. S/he is proactive, creative, outspoken, optimistic with an interest in Sexual Reproductive justice and sustainable development and a passion for making a difference, with a preference for achieving outcomes in collaboration with others. S/he has a results-oriented approach and proposes ways to innovate and continuously improve our communications products, practices, channels, and messaging.

Essential skills and experience

Essential:

• Master level qualification in relevant field (e.g. communications, humanities, environment);
• At least 4 years of working experience in policy analysis, lobby, and advocacy in an international context, working with national, regional, and global dimensions;
• Demonstrable experience and achievements working in and advocating for multi-stakeholder platforms and processes;
• Track record in policy analysis, writing and editing articles, website content, reports and press releases;
• Experience working for Non- Governmental Organisations (National or International).
• Ability to quickly understand and absorb new topics, issues and disciplines and distil relevant advocacy strategies from them;
• Experience in stakeholder mapping and strategizing according to policy objectives of different projects;
• Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences;
• Excellent communication and project management skills; team player and facilitator;
• Excellent command of written and spoken English 
• Solid knowledge of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender Based Violence, and must-be Pro-Choice. 

Job offer:

• Reporting to: Programme Manager
• Part-time: 56 hours per week (Full Time 8 hours per day)
• Salary scale: 80,000 - 120,000 (depending on experience) 
• Contract duration: 1-year contract with the intention of extension if need be.
• Start date: a.s.a.p.