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Job title: Youth Engagement Specialist       

Employment Category: Full Time

Reporting to: Program Management Unit Director

Employment condition: contract for one Year with the possibility of extensions

Direct reports:  N/A

Unit/department:  Project Management Unit (PMU)

Duty station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with occasional field travel

Number of positions: One (1)

Salary: As per the organization's salary scale

The overall purpose of the role:

The Youth Engagement Specialist will lead the design and implementation of youth-led activities under the high school component of the Education program. This role focuses on empowering students through leadership development, mentorship, and active participation in school and community development. 

The Specialist will play a critical role in developing improved strategies to goal orientation in youth ensuring that students are not only beneficiaries of the program but also co-creators—engaging meaningfully in decision-making processes, co-leading initiatives, and driving positive change in their educational environments.

Major Role & Responsibilities:

A. Program Design & Implementation

• Develop a comprehensive Youth Engagement Strategy aligned with the project’s objectives, in close coordination with the PMU and implementing partners.

• Design approaches for active youth engagement practices at schools, home communities. 

• Design and roll out youth leadership modules, interactive workshops, and extracurricular projects to build students’ 21st-century skills like collaboration, communication, problem solving critical thinking.

• Support the integration of youth-led projects into school routines and community engagement platforms.

  • Collaborate with teachers and school leaders to integrate youth-friendly approaches into teaching and learning.

  • Support the development and implementation of extracurricular and remedial learning activities.

  • Promote inclusive and equitable education practices that encourage participation of marginalized youth.

B. Student Mentorship & Leadership Development

• Identify and mentor Youth Champions in each target school to serve as peer role models and advocates for student voice.

• Establish and facilitate leadership circles, debate forums, and school youth councils that provide structured opportunities for student representation and advocacy on gender responsive and inclusive.

• Guide students in initiating and leading school and community improvement projects.

  • into teaching and learning.

  • Support the development and implementation of extracurricular and remedial learning activities.

  • Promote inclusive and equitable education practices that encourage participation of marginalized youth.

C. Community & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with school leadership, teachers, Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), and youth clubs to co-design and implement inclusive events.

• Cultivate partnerships with youth-serving organizations, NGOs, cultural institutions, and local businesses to create opportunities for student internships, community service, and innovation labs.

  • Facilitate engagement between youth, school management, parents, and community structures to strengthen youth participation.

• Coordinate with local government offices, NGOs, and service providers to link students with additional resources and opportunities

D. Capacity Building & Teacher Support

• Train and coach teachers, school counsellors, and youth mentors on youth-centered pedagogies, participatory learning, and mentorship practices.

• Support educators in embedding student voice and agency into classroom practice and school governance.

• Support youth positive discipline and work culture in schools and within communities through youth models/ ambassadors

• Facilitate joint reflection sessions to adapt activities based on student feedback and school context.

  • Provide technical support and training to teachers, school administrators, and youth groups on youth development issues.

  • Build the capacity of peer educators and youth leaders to facilitate youth-led initiatives.

E. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

• Collaborate with the MEL team to develop and apply tools that measure youth engagement, leadership outcomes, and community impact.

• Collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data (e.g., participation rates, student portfolios, feedback loops).

• Prepare regular reports, success stories, and documentation of innovations to inform program adaptation and advocacy.

  • Ensure that youth engagement strategies are inclusive of girls, children with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.

• Promote gender-responsive approaches in school activities and student leadership

  • Monitor the implementation and impact of youth-focused activities in the school.

  • Document success stories, lessons learned, and challenges to inform program improvement.

• Prepare periodic reports on youth engagement activities and outcomes

F. Events & Public Engagement

• Organize and manage signature events, including:

  • Youth Innovation Fairs

  • Model UN simulations U-Report

  • Community Dialogues

  • Annual Youth Showcases

• Promote youth voice and visibility by supporting students in using digital storytelling, blogs, social media, and multimedia content creation.

Gender Equality Commitments  

• Foster an environment that supports the values of women and men, and equal access to information.

• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

• Respect beneficiaries, women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, or religion. race, colour, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status. 

• Value and respect all cultures. 

Safeguarding Commitment 

Imagine1day has zero tolerance for violations of Child and Adult Safeguarding, Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, and the Code of Conduct. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Imagine1day implements a range of procedures and actions, including Criminal Background Checks/ International vetting/Certificates of good conduct, to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded and abuse is prevented.

Experience and Desirable: 

Minimum 5 years of experience in youth empowerment, leadership development, or education programs, especially at the secondary school level.

Proven ability to mentor adolescents, deliver participatory workshops, and coordinate youth-focused events or campaigns.

 Competency Description

Youth-Centred Facilitation - Demonstrated ability to engage adolescents in leadership, creativity, and civic responsibility.

Communication  - Strong verbal and written communication in English; knowledge of Amharic and other local languages is an advantage.

Project Management - Ability to manage complex timelines, partner coordination, and deliverables in a dynamic environment.

Interpersonal & Cultural Sensitivity - Skilled in working with diverse youth populations and stakeholders with empathy and respect.

Digital Literacy - Proficient in using virtual collaboration tools, online learning platforms, and social media for youth engagement.

Organizational & preferred Attributes

The Youth Engagement Specialist works within the Education PMU, collaborating with schools, internal teams, and partners. The role blends technical expertise, field engagement, and youth-centered energy to drive inclusive, impactful programming.

Preferred candidates should have experience with youth leadership platforms and a passion for adolescent development. Strong storytelling skills and flexibility for travel and events are also essential.

Education: 

Master’s Degree (MA/MSc) in Education, Youth Development, Community Engagement, Social Science, Social Work, or a related discipline.

Languages:

• Language: English and Amharic. An additional national language is an advantage. 

• Level of language required: Fully operational. 

Imagine 1day has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. All employment offers are conditional upon the receipt of satisfactory references and the signing of our code of conduct, Safeguarding Policy with a particular focus on Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Child Safeguarding. This position will also be subject to robust reference and background screening checks.

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran

Imagine 1day complies with all applicable laws governing non-discrimination in employment.