CYLA-Zambia
Advocate~ Educate~ Inspire
Program Lead: Youth Political Development and Empowerment (YPDE)
Location: Lusaka
Closing date: Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Working Hours: 40 Hours/week.
ABOUT CYLA-Zambia
Since its inception 5 years ago, CYLA-Zambia has grown significantly and expanded projects, staff, and
operations. CYLA-Zambia has decided to strengthen its Programs department by seeking a lead officer on
Youth Political Development and Empowerment (YPDE) to play a leading role in continually innovating
and managing the leadership and empowerment activities for our young leaders. The successful candidate
for this position will have solid non-profit experience, willing to work in a growing environment, and have
a passion for young people’s development in leadership and their participation in processes of elections,
democracy, and governance.
JOB SUMMARY
The Program lead will be responsible for the development, implementation, and ensuring quality control of
youth leadership & empowerment activities. The position will put a strategy in place for leaders’ capacity-
building and sustainability intervention plans. S/he will work with youth, activists, political parties, local
government, the private sector, and other partners for the delivery of the program activities. The Officer
will work to create an enabling environment (by sharing knowledge, and understanding of stakeholders,
and the environment) for the implementation of the activities s/he will support the pathway of young people
engaged by the organization transitioning in their leadership journeys. This position is a full-time, regular
position and reports to Executive Director and works most closely with the Senior Finance & Admin
Officer.
RESPONSIBILITIES
● Contributes to the preparation of the organization’s quarterly and annual progress reports for stakeholders
● Develop and manage detailed program/project schedules and work plans.
● Develop and designing project proposals and all supplementary documentation under the program’s
strategic priority
● Measure project performance to identify areas for improvement.
● Mediate between project/program officers and upper management,
● Manage a team of project/program officers by assigning tasks and following up on assignments,
● Lead, evaluate, and approve project/program reports.
● Lead knowledge development through evaluation of initiatives to collect lessons learned, propose
corrective measures, and ensures identification of follow-up assignments.
● Engage with available networks of youth support systems, networks, and organizations in Zambia/Malawi
for the planning and implementation of project activities.
● Provide technical support to partner organizations, including facilitating specialized training on topics of
importance relevant to successful project implementation.
● Facilitate the creation of a strong professional image internally and amongst external media and
stakeholders, including the development of appropriate content and material on program activities for
dissemination.
● facilitate and produce online learning sessions through learning applications.
● Support the implementation of activities in the regional post.
QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
– Minimum 3-5 years prior experience in leading a program/ project management in a youth or women-
focused local organization.
– Minimum 3-5 years prior experience in leading or supporting a non-profit organization.
Academic
University degree in Project Management, Business, Political Science, or any related field
Expertise & Skills
– Strong donor and funder management experience
– Excellent written and oral communication, presentation, and negotiation skills in a multi-stakeholder
environment.
– They have demonstrated the capacity to think strategically with expertise in complex problems solving,
decision-making, and critical thinking skills.
– Ability to work remotely, with little supervision, and meet deadlines comfortably.
Experience in scheduling and organizing events.
– Flexibility, adaptability, and willingness to take on various tasks.
– Ability to handle confidential matters.
– Enthusiasm for working with young organizations/start-ups, political parties, and activists.
– Knowledge and interest in youth political participation, elections, democracy, and governance and
commitment to the mission and goals of the CYLA-Zambia.
– Experience working with local partners, including government agencies, development partners, and civil
society organizations.
– Experienced trainer and facilitator
– Demonstrated experience in documentation and reporting.
– Have a sound grasp of MS Office Suite, Google Apps, and Canva.
Assets
– Certification in monitoring and evaluation, project financial management, personal & workplace
leadership Program & project financial and human resource management.
– Knowledge of training and facilitation methodologies
– Experience working with grant-funded organizations
– Experience working with a project team of 2-5 members
– Ability to communicate in Zambian Local Languages
– Young women and men under 35 are strongly encouraged to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
Please send:
1) Cover letter (addressing how you meet the necessary qualifications, why you are interested in this
position at this point in your career, and how you will maintain a positive, value-based organizational
culture)
2) Resume or CV
3) List of three references
Email: communications@cylazambia.org please include Program Lead- YPDE in the subject line. No Phone calls, please. Only email applications will be accepted.
Advocate~ Educate~ Inspire
We thank all who apply, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CYLA encourages, promotes,
and supports diversity in all aspects of its work. To learn more about CYLA-Zambia, please visit our
website at www.cylazambia.org.