Established in 2001, the Youth Empowerment Synergy – Ghana (YES-Ghana) is an ECOSOC- accredited NGO which is at the forefront of youth development policy, practice and research in Ghana. At YES-Ghana, we work to realise a vision: a world where every young person has a real chance to benefit from and participate in the development processes at local, national and international levels. Our mission is to promote policies and develop initiatives that help youth succeed in becoming life-long learners, productive members of society, materially sufficient and self-respecting citizens. Visit:- www.yesghana.org for more information.

Type of Contract: Fixed Term
Location: Accra, Ghana
Reporting to: Head of Programmes

Overall Purpose:

YES-Ghana is seeking a highly motivated and capable Policy & Advocacy Manager to develop and coordinate an advocacy strategy for the organisation, develop and manage a portfolio of policy and advocacy projects, lead on external relations and international advocacy processes, and contribute to the overall strategy and direction of the organisation’s efforts to place young people are the heart of national and international development processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Policy and Advocacy Strategy

•   Leads on planning and implementation of the organisation’s priorities for youth policy, practice,  research and advocacy as part of a broader policy and advocacy strategy for 2016 – 2020
•   Leads the development of annual advocacy objectives and operational plans to deliver on the policy and advocacy strategy
•   Ensures that the organisation is informed of changes in the policy landscape through regular intelligence gatherings (e.g. reading, meetings, events, maintaining contacts)
•   Regularly reviews plans and priorities with the team to make the most of emerging opportunities and potential tactics
•   Ensures internal engagement and ownership of advocacy plans and priorities including: establishing clear lines of internal communication; creating internal systems and processes for sharing policy information and external influencing opportunities, and for managing relationships with key
donors/partners

External Representation and Influencing

•   Leads on new and existing relationships to deliver the organisation’s policy and advocacy priorities and processes
•   Ensures high quality delivery of events, activities and communications necessary to deliver against the organisation’s policy and advocacy strategy (e.g. workshops, position papers, briefings, consultations, roundtables, online media)
•   Ensures wide dissemination and visibility of project achievements, including through the project’s communication tools, and, where possible, participates in national and international forums to make substantive contributions as appropriate
•   Leads the organisation’s engagement in international youth processes, including priority conferences and networks at the United Nations, Africa Union, ECOWAS, ACP, etc
•   Leads the organisation’s engagements and leadership on the new Sustainable Development Goals at national, regional and global levels
•   Proactively identifies and develops external relationships with NGOs, government agencies and UN agencies to meet our global advocacy objectives.

Project Planning and Management

•   Ensures that policy & advocacy project team meet all internal and external responsibilities in relation to new investment, grant management, programme quality and financial management
•   Working closely with the Head of Programmes, supports the development of new and diverse income streams that ensure the growth and sustainability of the organisation’s policy and advocacy work, including drafting new concepts and proposals and supporting fundraising efforts
•   Ensures a robust M&E framework is in place for the organisation’s policy & advocacy work (including indicators and targets) and effectively implemented, enabling the organisation to continuously learn from and improve the quality of delivery and impact
•   Ensures high quality narrative and financial reporting as required to donors and investing partners, clearly communicating any significant changes to project delivery or spending
•   Supported by the Finance & Administration Manager, develops and manages budgets in line with the organisation’s finance policies and procedures including on-going monitoring of income versus expenditure

Qualification Required & Experience

•   Graduate-level Degree or equivalent work experience in development theory, policy and practice
•   A minimum of 2 years’ experience of influencing the policy and practice of governments and institutions through campaigning, advocacy and/or policy development
•   Experienced in external representation with stakeholders from civil society, governments and/or UN bodies
•   Experienced in developing advocacy objectives and influencing tactics
•   Knowledge of current development policy trends and frameworks, especially youth policy
•   Previous experience as team leader planning and managing programme/project at national level is an asset, including financial management of projects, reporting, and M&E
•   Line management experience

Technical Knowledge

•   Development, social, economic and political issues particularly in regard to young people in Ghana and Africa
•   Rights-based and results-based programming expertise
•   Programme, project and budget management expertise
•   Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain strategic partnerships and alliances
•   Well-developed business acumen and strategic insight
•   Solid research and publications record (desired)
•   Computer literacy in MS Office

Personal Attributes

•   High integrity and strong attention to detail
•   Strong financial, analytical and/or evaluative skills
•   Proven ability to establish priorities and to plan, organise, coordinate and monitor own work plan and provide advice and supervision to others
•   Resourcefulness, sound judgment and decision-making skills. Demonstrated sound judgment in resolving issues/problems
•   Excellent and effective communication and interpersonal skills, including ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with staff, project participants and partners, as well as others in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
•   High level of professional, people management and human relations skills
•   Ability to initiate and complete assignments and to work under demanding circumstances with
minimal supervision

•   Professional and independent working style, highly motivated and well-organised with the ability to work manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
•   Professional demeanour. Able to present a professional image of the organisation at all times.

Location: Accra

How To Apply For The Job

Please submit a one-page motivation letter and a recent CV bearing your contact details and two references to:-

jobs@yesghana.org

Be sure to highlight in the motivation letter how specifically you meet the criteria for this role. Due to capacity constraints, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Closing Date: 15 November, 2015