Youth Network for Sustainable Development (YNSD) is a non-governmental, non-profit making indigenous organization that was founded in 2003 by four school clubs and fifteen youth associations. Currently, YNSD is an umbrella network of more than 160 youth organizations and associations operating at national level. YNSD strives for sustainable development through promoting partnership, networking and building the capacity of its member organizations. www.ynsdethiopia.org.et

Youth Network for Sustainable Development (YNSD) in partnership with Mastercard Foundation implements Community Service Program in Addis Ababa, Sodo and Dessie clusters. This Program envisions “equal opportunity for young people to learn and prosper, access to dignified and fulfilling work and contribute to their country’s overall development.”  The Community Service as Pathway to Work (CSPW) initiative aims to contribute to this vision by engaging young people (18 to 34 years) in a structured program of community service, training and by providing linkages to a comprehensive local network of public, private, and civic sector agencies that provide work-related placements and resources. The Program will make every opportunity available to engage differently-abled youth as well as internally displaced persons (IDPs) which are directly impacted by the conflict and other vulnerable groups in the community.

Job Summary:

Youth Network for Sustainable Development/YNSD/ is looking for a Social Behavior Change (SBC) Specialist to support for the MasterCard foundation’s community service as a pathway to work/CSPW/ program that aims to provide expertise on the design and implementation of SBC activities of the program. These activities cover multiple issues including peace and security, education health, economic development, and others. The program design includes media campaigns, youth and community engagement/ mobilization activities, capacity strengthen and leveraging technology to provide access to information and service for youth.

Primary duties and responsibilities: the Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Specialist perform the following duties and responsibilities,

• Provide expert guidance and technical leadership in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of SBC design and implementation for the CSPW program.
• Work with project team to implement youth and community engagement activities to improve youth behaviors and encourage community service.
• Support the development and integration of gender transformative and social inclusion approaches in all SBC activities under the CSPW program.
• Work with the CSPW staff and other relevant project teams to develop and pretest SBC tools, materials and guidelines.
• Work with CCP’s media team to ensure that media outputs address relevant youth issues and are produced and disseminated in timely manner.
• Design and produce high-quality SBC materials, such as educational materials, training manuals, and media content.
• Ensure that all communication materials are disseminated according to plan reaching intended audience.
• Provide input in the development of periodic work plans, budgets and reports as required.
• Support the design and execution of SBC capacity strengthening initiatives under the CSPW program.
• Organize review meetings, supportive supervisions and remote follow-up for all CSPW related SBC activities.
• Support the development of scope works and terms of reference for consultants and short term technical assistance that may be required by the project.
• Represent CCP and coordinate with the consortium in different meetings, workshops and events as required.
• Perform other similar duties as assigned by immediate supervisor.

Location: Addis Ababa and frequent travel to the cluster cities

Employment Type: Full Time / Contract based

Required No. : 1(One)

Youth Network for Sustainable Development (YNSD) maintains a strict policy to ensure ethical conduct and the safeguarding of all individuals. YNSD does not hire candidates married to children (persons under 18). It upholds a zero-tolerance policy for behaviors inconsistent with its values and objectives, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, or disabilities. YNSD is deeply committed to promoting the protection and well-being of all children.

As part of this commitment, all selected candidates will undergo comprehensive reference and background checks. This process includes verification of academic credentials and employment history. Candidates may also be required to provide additional information to facilitate these checks.

About You

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Public Health, Health Education, Social Psychology, Health Communication, or a related behavioral science field.
• Minimum of 7 years relevant experience in an NGO setting.
• Proven experience in leading and managing social and behavioral change initiatives, including media and community engagement.
• Strong understanding of multi-channel and integrated approaches to social and behavioral communication.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Committed to the protection of team members and clients, with a focus on vulnerable groups.
• Able to role-model inclusive and culturally sensitive attitudes and behaviors
• Strong commitment to young people and an understanding of the factors affecting their lives;
• the ability to provide reliable support to young people in times of need and act with integrity;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to establish good relationships with young people;
• Patience, tolerance, and flexibility;
• Formal communication skills for presentations and report writing
• Strong oral and written communication and presentations skills in Amharic, English, and the  local languages of the program implementation area ;
• Ability to treat young people’s concerns with respect, tact, and sensitivity,
• A great deal of resilience.
• Results orientated;
• Motivated to develop professionally;
• Willingness and ability to travel (30% to 40% of the time) to program implementation sites;
• Fully committed to YNSD’s goal and mission;
• Committed to excellence.
• Excellent computer skills using MS Office 365 Suite of products including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint;

Personal characteristics

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices, and ensure that own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Value volunteerism: understand the sense of volunteerism and exercise it, show willingness to execute tasks as assigned by supervisors
• Flexibility: demonstrate flexibility to accomplish tasks requiring a range of skills and abilities
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on members/beneficiaries Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of members and beneficiaries to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Creativity/Innovation: Develop new and unique ways to improve operations of the organization and to create new opportunities
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problem, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.
• Commitment: shows dedication to the missions and visions of the organization