Chief Operating Officer

About Young Africa
Founded in 1998, Young Africa is a confederation of independently and locally registered affiliate organisations in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, and Zambia. The Headquarters of Young Africa International are based in Zimbabwe, with a supporting team in The Netherlands.

Young Africa’s mission is to empower young people through skills training for employability and entrepreneurship. Employment and entrepreneurship impact on young people’s self-confidence and self-reliance, enabling them to live with dignity and purpose.

General Position Summary

• The Chief Operations Officer reports to the Chief Executive Officer and is a strong, innovative leader responsible for resourcefully overseeing the implementation of the confederation’s principal programmes: Youth Empowerment, Community Outreach, and Global Citizenship. S/he is accountable for achieving operational synergy and meeting the objectives set out in the strategic plan.
• Essential Job Responsibilities
• Strengthen the organisation through promoting professionalism, e.g. develop and maintain uniform financial and HRM procedures and systems, develop and improve start-up protocols for affiliates, coach directors of Young Africa Affiliates, develop, improve , and maintain sound governance, risk management, and internal control framework across the confederation;
• Build up a sound financial base for the organisation’s continuity by further developing the business model of the organisation;
• Strengthen the organisation by developing performance management and evaluation methodologies and reports, e.g. develop and implement evaluation and measurement methods, develop and maintain a performance and evaluation database, develop and maintain performance management reporting tools;
• Review and implement fundraising strategy and activities, promote Young Africa brand visibility to enlarge the current donor base and develop and maintain a comprehensive donor management system;
• Improve functioning and management of Young Africa training centres, and streamline collaboration between Young Africa International and Young Africa Affiliates;
• Scale up Young Africa’s ways of working, i.e. its franchise method and integral approach to youth development;
• Achieve organisational synergy through relevant exchange of knowledge, expertise, and good practices and to ensure activities are carried out according to plan.

Qualifications and Experience

• Comprehensive executive level experience and knowledge of administrative functions in a large organisation;
• Expertise in strategic planning, policy development, governance, and financial planning and management;
• Demonstrated ability in creating and implementing change management strategies and plans related to new structures, processes, procedures, etc.;
• Demonstrated ability to make critical operational decisions and develop sound proposals, policies, and procedures;
• Creativity in developing new (commercial) income streams;
• Experience in managing and directing professional staff and project teams;
• Skilled communicator and able to maintain effective relationships with diverse stakeholder groups;
• A level of education that has instilled a high level of creative thinking and agile acting;
• Ability to inspire a shared vision with a wide range of individuals or groups and to foster collaboration by promoting cooperative goals and building trust.

Our Offer
Young Africa is committed to providing a fair pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors and similar to other growing NGOs. We offer an international working environment, dynamic and purpose-driven colleagues. This position is for 40 hours a week.