Youth Employment Project Manager

Save the Children’s vision is a world in which every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. Our mission is to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children, and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

Save the Children started our work in Vietnam in 1990, and implements programs in the key thematic areas: Education, Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, Child Rights and Governance, Child Poverty, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Emergency Response. At present, Vietnam Country Office has programs in 22 out of 63 provinces in Vietnam.

Save the Children in Vietnam continues to develop innovative programming that reflects the overall strategic goal of measurably improving the survival, health, protection and development of Vietnam’s poorest children by strengthening the capacity of women and children, caring adults, communities and partner organizations.

Save the Children is committed to ensuring that all our personnel and programmes are absolutely safe for children.

Child Safeguarding positioning statement:

We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

We are looking for a Vietnamese national for:

• Position: Youth Employment Project Manager
• Location: Ho Chi Minh City

Main Responsibilities

This position will provide overall leadership in planning, implementation and management of Accenture funded Skills to Succeed (S2S) Project under Global Giving cycle 5 (GG5) & the Citi funded project, to be implemented in Can Tho, Danang and Dong Nai Provinces, including support for project proposal development in youth employment, innovation, advocacy and partnership with corporate sector for youth employment programming. To serve as member of ESMT, representing youth employment program, providing support to SMT in management decision making. In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the post holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

1. Project Management and Technical Support

• In coordination with Area Manager, project staff and implementing partners, facilitate the preparation of annual work plan and budget for S2S (GG5) & Citi Projects in accordance with the approved project documents (project proposal narrative, budget, log frame, etc.) for approval by Director of Program Implementation (DPI)
• Regularly review the annual work plan and budget and propose necessary adjustments if needed, according to the progress in the implementation of the project and in compliance with donor and SCI rules. Coordinate with Awards Manager in case adjustment (e.g. budget amendment) is substantial needing the approval of SC member and donor.
• Ensures quality in the delivery of project activities and ensure MEAL system for the project is in place and implemented.
• Identify any emerging issues affecting project implementation and determine solutions in consultations with Area Manager.
• Provide direct technical support to project staff and implementing partners in the implementation of planned project activities. Identify areas that require external technical assistance and coordinate with SCUS to receive relevant technical assistance. Facilitate the delivery of regular technical assistance from SC member TA during project implementation.
• Collaborate closely with other thematic teams to ensure integrated programming approach.
• In coordination with Awards Manager, monitor the project reporting requirements and facilitate the preparation of project report. Be responsible in ensuring that the
• report is of high quality and technically reviewed by PDQA Director before submission.
• If needed, provide technical support to emergency team on interventions related to youth employment in emergency both during assessment stage and implementation of emergency response.
• Ensure that implementing partners and their field staff received training on Child Safeguarding and SC’s policies on Child Safeguarding are observed during project implementation. Continuously monitor any Child Safeguarding issues in project and report any confirmed case following the CO protocol.
• In coordination with Area Manager, contribute to the youth employment theme in the Country Annual Plan, Country Strategic Plan and Country Annual Report.

2. Program Development and Innovation

• Keep updated of recent developments in the youth employment sector in Vietnam and provide input concerning SCs positioning.
• Serve as Child Poverty thematic lead in youth employment and as member of project proposal development team in case funding opportunity becomes available.
• Provide technical input on youth employment sub-theme during proposal development and if needed to other projects with youth employment component.
• Take the lead in pursuing innovations in youth employment programming, including the ARVR pilot and the application of ICT in skills training and access to job information

3. Staff Management

• Line manage the staff on designated projects, making sure that each staff has clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and there is synergy among members of the team.
• In coordination with Area Manager and youth employment program team, contribute in identifying the core program staff and ensure the continuity of their services to guaranty program quality delivery.
• Work together with line managed staff to identify clear performance objectives and capacity building plan. Support and motivate staff to achieve their performance objectives and with support from HR team undertake the periodic performance review
• When needed, provide direct coaching or mentoring to project staff in the implementation of project activities and facilitate their technical capacity building.

4. Advocacy and Communications

• Collaborating closely with PDQA Director in defining, delivering, and measuring effects of advocacy and communications strategy for youth employment program
• Collaborate with other thematic leads to ensure that thematic advocacy objectives are included into youth employment program work as appropriate
• Collaborate with Communications team in production of communication materials related to youth employment and the Every Last Child Campaign
• Continue to lead the youth employment program advocacy agenda on integrating soft skills in the vocational training curriculum

5. Financial Management

• Act as a Budget Holder of the project. Provide support to Finance team (FSSD) in preparing budget phasing and monthly forecast according to approved annual budget for both SC managed budget and sub-grants in coordination with Area Manager, program staff and implementing partners
• Provide support to Finance and Awards teams in sub-grant management - in preparing the sub-grant to partners based on the agreed activities, releasing the sub-grant, monitoring the sub-grant and in submitting sub-grant finance report.
• Work closely with designated Senior Finance Officer in monitoring the project budget. On a regular basis review the project expenses, ensure all expenses are charged to appropriate budget codes and analyse any underspent or overspent. Determine any issues related to project budget and determine solutions in coordination with FSSD, DPI and Area Managers.
• Ensure that SCI finance and procurement policies and procedures are strictly followed by project staff and implementing partners. Report to FSSD any suspected violation of SCI finance and procurement policies and procedure for proper investigation.
• Facilitate the delivery of direct finance and procurement management support to implementing partners by the finance and procurement team by integrating finance and procurement orientation during kick-off meeting with partners, organizing a regular finance visit and if needed organizing a finance and procurement training to partners during project implementation

6. Representation, Partnership and Networking

• Establish and maintain strong relationship with local implementing partners such as government agencies and CSOs for successful project implementation and ensure compliance to government laws, policies and procedures during project implementation (e.g. MoU, project approval from local authority)
• Build strong partnership with corporate sector to strengthen their participation in youth employment programming. In particupar their feedback to the program design, their input into job market assessment, their input into the training curriculum development, their participation in internship and job placement, input in resolving issues affecting youth employees.
• Take an active leadership role in the establishment and operation of national level Youth Employment Working Group (YEWG) in cooperation with other NGOs for the purposes of sharing information on youth employment programming and advocacy for the intergration of soft skills in vocational schools training curriculum.
• The job duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to carry out additional duties within  reasonableness of their level of skills and experience, including adjustment on job description.

Qualifications & Skills

Qualifications

• At least University’s Degree in field relevant to economics, youth employability & livelihoods.
• Strong project management experience handling youth employment projects targeting migrant youth workers
• Previous experience in child – centered programming

Essential

• Minimum of 5 years experiences working with (I)NGO, including direct experience managing youth employment project
• Technical background in youth employment thematic areas and demonstrated experience in capacity building through delivery of direct training, technical support to partners, advising and documentation of youth employment related program, including adequate understanding of ICT application in youth employment.
• Experience in working with government agency (MOLISA and DOLISA), vocational schools, and CSOs partners in the implementation of youth employment program
• Experience in the development of partnership with corporate sector for youth employment, particularly in the development of training curriculum, job market assessment, internship, job placement and addressing issues affecting youth employees.
• Experience in establishing and maintatining networks with other NGOs working on youth employment, private sectors, CSOs and relevant government agencies.
• Excellent communication skills both verbally and in written form in English and Vietnamese
• Excellent people management and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to respond effectively to challenges, and work effectively in a cross culture environment in a truly collaborative manner, with receptivity to stakeholders’ and experts’ suggestions.
• Good understanding of challenges facing migrant youth workers in Vietnam;
• Commitment to humanitarian principles/accountability frameworks, especially for work with vulnerable populations;
• Ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, to motivate and inspire team work;
• Ability to analyze information, evaluate options and to think strategically including ability to use data and research to continually improve the project.
• Understanding the need for and willingness to participate in research and evaluations of the S2S program. Willingness to share learnings and technical assistance with peers in other countries in the S2S program and across the SCI movement
• Commitment to and understanding of SCI aims, values and principles including rights-based approaches.

Desirable

• Flexibility and a sense of humour – ability to work, live and thrive in challenging circumstances;
• Experience of working with local government and partners;
• Experience of working in an emergency setting and/or commitment to build that capacity;
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment.

All application packages must be submitted via
https://stcuk.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=1900028I&tz=G...

In case you cannot access to the above link, please send your updated CV (in English), your Cover Letter and your SC’s Application Form to email: [email protected]

The SC application form and the full Job Description

The closing date for application is 11:59 pm on 02 August 2019.

Applications will be treated in confidence. Due to the volume of applications we receive, only short-listed candidates will be contacted and CVs cannot be returned.

Save the Children is an equal opportunities employer. Our selection processes reflect our commitment to the protection of children from abuse, and our people are as diverse as the challenge we face. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, race, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation.