In 2017, Global Encounters (GE) was established as an umbrella organization to promote and nurture the Jamat’s ethics of socio-cultural and physical well-being, focusing principally on sports, performing and fine arts, culture, youth engagement and education. It oversees international projects such as Jubilee Games, Jubilee Arts and the Global Encounters camps, amongst other programmes.
We are pleased to announce a new position of Senior Programme Officer within GE that will be based in Lisbon Portugal and may require working virtually initially:
Reporting to the Global Encounters Executive Director and working closely with the international camps leadership team and other institutional staff, the Senior Programme Officer for Youth Leadership and Development (SPO) will have key management and oversight responsibilities for the planning, implementation, and long-term capacity building of international camps and global leadership programmes for youth. The SPO is part of a growing organization that engages and works with hundreds of volunteers annually to deliver exceptional programming.
Please see the TORs below for more detailed information. Interested candidates must submit their CV and covering letter to [email protected] by June 30th, 2021.
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GLOBAL ENCOUNTERS
TERMS OF REFERENCE
SENIOR PROGRAMME OFFICER:
GLOBAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT
BACKGROUND
In 2017, Global Encounters (GE) was established as an umbrella organization to promote and nurture the Jamat’s ethics of socio-cultural and physical well-being, focusing principally on sports, performing and fine arts, culture, youth engagement and education. It oversees international projects such as Jubilee Games, Jubilee Arts and the Global Encounters camps, amongst other programmes.
THE POSITION
The Senior Programme Officer (SPO): Youth Leadership & Development is a senior-level staff position, supporting the intellectual, cultural, religious, social, and healthy development of Ismaili youth globally. Reporting to the Global Encounters Executive Director and working closely with the international camps leadership team and other institutional staff, the Senior Programme Officer for Youth Leadership & Development will have key management and oversight responsibilities for the planning, implementation, and long-term capacity building of international camps and global leadership development programmes for youth. The SPO is part of a growing organization that engages and works with hundreds of volunteers annually to deliver exceptional programming. The position will be based in Lisbon, Portugal and may require working virtually initially.
Key responsibilities will include:
Planning, Implementation & Impact
- Ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, consistent quality, and sustainable growth across camps and youth leadership programmes (in-person and virtual). Develop goals and work plans, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and drive teams to ensure high quality performance. Manage the performance of programmes to attain set targets for access/reach, equity, and quality.
- Support the development of an organizational culture, which reflects inclusion, pluralism, collaboration, commitment to the vision, and overall excellence.
- Oversee the development of curriculum and content for global youth camps and programmes, engaging and managing teams of educators and professionals.
- Keep abreast of best practices in education and develop relationships with youth development organizations, academic institutions, and national and international entities in order to integrate and share research-informed and best practice.
- Provide leadership for in-person residential programming for global youth, including Global Encounters Camps and new initiatives in youth leadership. Serve in a senior management role during the implementation of Global Encounters programmes.
- Provide oversight of the Global Encounters Alumni Association, which ensures alumni continue to develop, stay connected to each other and the community at large, and provides opportunities for service, internships, and professional development.
- Represent institution in various forms. Liaise with relevant AKDN and other partners to ensure that youth programmes are aligned with and build upon resources. Identify and work with partner agencies in countries to organize programmes, service learning, and field-based exposures.
- Develop, collect, review, and archive documentation. Oversee annual reviews of all programme materials – e.g., curriculum, training materials, schedules, student manuals, handbooks, implementation guides, planning templates/forms, etc.
- Lead, inspire, and manage teams of volunteer professionals. Maintain a productive work environment that fosters growth and professional development. Oversee volunteer training and drive teams to ensure high performance and commitment to a shared vision.
Management Related Responsibilities
- Work with senior leadership in the development of current and long-term organizational objectives, strategies, and budgets. Prepare proposals, technical papers, and regular reports.
- Regularly communicate and work collaboratively with relevant National Councils, ITREBs, AKDN agencies and other stakeholders to sustainably maintain and expand Global Encounters’ footprint, and to achieve strategic, programmatic, and administrative synergies. Identify and disseminate best practices to Jamati youth-serving institutions.
- Support Jamati-facing and parent/participant communications, including but not limited to responsive centralized email / phone communications, website interface, and relevant social media.
- Maintain financial control and discipline, including accounting of all expenditures and funding for programmatic, operating and capital investments. Ensure that all legal and statutory requirements of the organization are duly fulfilled and complied with. Identify, mitigate and manage risks facing the organization and its programmes.
THE REQUIREMENTS
Professional Experience
- The ideal candidate will have 7+ years of general management experience in an educational institution, non-profit organization, or corporation. Qualified candidates from the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors will also be considered.
- Jamati institutional and hands-on community-based experiences, particularly in the area of camps/youth development and education, are highly preferred.
Academic Credentials
- Master's degree in education, non-profit management, public administration, social work, business administration, or related field.
Management Skills/Experience
- Passion for and previous experience with youth development and education.
- Successful experiences leading groups and contributing to large programmes.
- Strong relationship building and people management skills.
- Coaching ability and high comfort level in having one-on-one coaching conversations with staff, volunteers and participants.
- Results-oriented, with strong programme management and operational execution skills
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to build and manage strong collaborative relationships with culturally and socio-economically diverse internal and external stakeholders and partners – including Jamati, Imamat, non-profit, corporate, government, civil society, academic institutions, and a large volunteer base.
- Sensitivity to operating within a values-based, resource-limited, nonprofit context.
- Flexible and open growth-mindset, and a desire to be part of a learning organization.
- Experience working in multicultural environments.
Language Proficiency
- English fluency required.
Travel Requirements
The position will require extensive travel and presence at major residential programmes, including 8-10 weeks between June & August and four weeks in December & January. Travel is also required for planning meetings and to ensure various projects are being organised to achieve the highest level of impact possible. Note that expectations of travel will take into consideration the current global pandemic and will only resume once deemed safe by health and security advisors.
Desirable
- Proficiency in second and third languages – including but not limited to Arabic, Burushaski, Farsi, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Pashto, Portuguese, Russian, Shugni, Swahili, Tajik, Urdu, and Wakhi.
- Background in youth development or experience in the field of adolescent education.
- Experience in working in East Africa, South and/or Central Asia.
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and current resume to: [email protected] by June 30th, 2021. First stage interviews dates will be scheduled in the month of July 2021.
