Youth Empowerment Project Manager

Position Identification

Position Title: Youth Empowerment Project Manager

Organization: Islamic Relief South Africa ‘IRSA’

Location: KZN South Africa

Reports to: National Youth Empowerment Program Manager

Purpose of Position

· The Youth Empowerment Project Manager is responsible for the administration, implementation, and regular review of the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP).

· All policies and procedures are to be strictly followed according to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as established by IRSA.

· To lead initiatives and activities that develop youth leadership, economic resilience, and civic engagement, aligned with a holistic model of youth development.

· To report on all aspects related to the project to the National Youth Empowerment Program Manager.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Establishment & Strategy

· Collaborate with youth groups, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to ensure the program is co-designed and meets the real needs and aspirations of young people.

· Develop and implement a strategy for recruiting and onboarding youth participants, focusing on leadership potential and creating diverse cohorts.

• Ensure the project documentation is uploaded onto the server.

2. Project Management

· Ensure empowerment activities and initiatives are implemented according to plan, overseeing all stages from initiation to completion, and meeting agreed objectives on time.

· Revise the program budget quarterly, as needed, to be responsive to youth-led initiatives and feedback from stakeholders.

· Ensure all project documentation is properly maintained for Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting (PMER), and for audit purposes.

· Assist related departments in drafting and managing project Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with partners and vendors.

3. Reporting & Impact Measurement

• Prepare and submit all progress reports for the Youth Empowerment Program to the National Program Manager, ensuring they meet agreed timelines and quality standards.
• Develop and present monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, including narrative reports on participant success stories and program impact.
• Track and report on key empowerment indicators, such as skills acquisition, leadership roles taken, and community project initiation.

4. Financial and Administrative Management

• Oversee the efficient administration of program finances, ensuring transparent and accountable resource allocation for youth-led projects.
• Provide timely and high-quality financial reports to the National Program Manager.
• Ensure compliance with financial controls and sound resource management

5. Youth Engagement & Safeguarding

· Conduct periodic field visits to engage with youth participants and monitor their progress and growth.

• Facilitate youth-led events, workshops, and camps focused on skills development, leadership, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring activities are safe, inclusive, and impactful.
• Prepare and present proposals for funding youth-led community initiatives.
• Establish a close working relationship with the Regional Safeguarding Leads to ensure all activities strictly adhere to IRSA and IRW safeguarding policies, creating a safe space for all youth.

6. Team Management and Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise frequently with the National Program Manager regarding team capacity building on youth empowerment methodologies.
• Coordinate with local and international NGOs, educational institutions, and businesses to create opportunities for mentorship, internships, and partnerships for youth.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders at satellite offices, ensuring responsibilities in MOUs are adhered to.
• Ensure staff grievances and disciplinary matters are handled fairly and in a timely manner.

7. Program Monitoring & Evaluation

• Work with the M&E team to establish effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems that measure empowerment, not just activity.
• Conduct regular field visits to ensure effective and quality implementation of all program activities.
• Record, track, and report on youth development and empowerment indicators.

8. Quality Assurance and Risk Management

• Ensure program activities are responsive to the needs of youth and partners and are operated in a way that minimizes organizational risk.
• Continuously adapt the program’s activities to respond to a dynamic youth landscape.
• Ensure the quality and relevance of the program in all three regions.

9. Project Governance and Documentation

· Be responsible for the technical operations of the program, including resource management.

• Develop and present compelling case studies of youth leaders to support marketing and fundraising efforts.

10. Other Responsibilities

• Spend approximately 60% of the year in the field, ensuring direct oversight and engagement with the Project’s beneficiaries and stakeholders.

· Perform any other duties as requested by the management in line with the job purpose.

Key Interfaces

· National Program Manager

· Head of Programmes

· Partners and Stakeholders (NGOs, educational institutions, businesses)

· Regional Coordinators

· Youth Development Officers

· Youth Participants and Youth Councils

Educational Qualifications

· Bachelor’s degree in social work, Youth Development, Social Sciences, Development Studies, or a relevant field is essential.

· Or a qualification at NQF Level 7 in a related field

Skills and Knowledge

• Minimum of 3 years of successful project management experience in the humanitarian/social development field, with a focus on youth work, empowerment, or capacity building.
• Proven experience in people and activity management, with a coaching and mentoring style.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing strategies and work plans for youth-focused programs.
• Fluent written and spoken English (Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu are advantageous).
• Ability to respond to a dynamic and changing environment.
• Demonstrable experience in using consultative and participatory approaches to work with young people and teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage persuasively with both youth and senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability in analyzing data to measure impact and inform program decisions.
• Experience in youth development and safeguarding for a minimum period of three years.
• Demonstrates the flexibility, energy, and high level of self-management required for this role.

Critical Skills & Membership

· The Project Manager should aim to obtain PMSA membership or other relevant project management membership and critical skills certification to meet professional and industry standards.

Key Islamic Relief Qualities Required

It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and sympathy with Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to IR’s vision and mission as per below:

¨ **Excellence (Ihsan):**Our actions in tackling poverty are marked by excellence in our operations and conduct which are deserving of the people we serve.

¨ **Sincerity (Ikhlas):**In responding to poverty and suffering our efforts are driven by sincerity to God and the need to fulfil our obligations to humanity

¨ **Social Justice (Adl):**Our work is founded on enabling people and institutions to fulfil the rights of the poor and vulnerable. We work to empower the dispossessed towards realising their God-given human potential and developing their capabilities and resources.

¨ **Compassion (Rahma):**We believe the protection and well-being of every life is of paramount importance and we shall join with other humanitarian actors to act as one in responding to suffering brought on by disasters, poverty and injustice.

¨ Custodianship (Amana): We uphold our duty of custodianship over the earth,