EMPOWERING PEOPLE TO CREATE CHANGE

Youth Empowerment Programme Manager

Job Application Pack

September 2016

ABOUT THE ASFARI FOUNDATION

The Asfari Foundation is an energetic young British grant-making charity set up by Ayman and Sawsan Asfari. Our vision is for an educated, just and open society which promotes development and progress through knowledge, tolerance and integrity and in which young people play a key role. Run by five trustees and sevenstaff, the Foundation has grown quickly and this year will spend close to £3.5m working on some of the key issues of our time: the crisis in Syria, youth education and employment and civil society development.

We work with international, national and community organisations, universities and research centres that share the Foundation’s goals and values and are able to deliver. Our grants range from £10,000 to £200,000per organisation per year. The Foundation is based in London, with a staff team supported by technical consultants and volunteer advisors. The Foundation’s Trustees take an active role in steering the Foundation.

Th Foundation has the following programmes:

  • The Youth Empowerment Programmeempowers and educates young people to create change and works through:
  • The Refugee Scholarships Programme which develops partnerships to help refugees in the Levant access higher education.
  • The Youth Employability and Enterprise Programme which helps young people find ‘decent’ work and become engaged members of their community.
  • The Improving Education Programme which strengthens education systems.
  • The Civil Society Programme strengthens civil society to contribute to open and just societies through:
  • Bursaries and Fellowships for young civil society activists.
  • Research, Writing and Reporting by young Arab writers on civil society.
  • Strengthening Civil Societygrants to civil society organisations.
  • Convening Networkingof civil society to encourage learning and cooperation.
  • The Relief Programmehelpsyoung people affected by emergencies and is currently largely focused on Syria; much of its work is implemented through the other two programmes.

In recent years some highlights of our work include major partnerships with Chatham House and the American University of Beirut; innovative projects that champion the voices of Syrian civil society; partnerships with impressive young Syrian civil society organisations; support for an exciting teacher training project for young Syrian refugees; and a recent Appeal for the education of young Syrian refugees which raised £8m and which will be disbursed through Foundation partners. For further information, see

The Foundation has made considerable progress in recent years and its programme work has expanded in terms of spending, partners and complexity. We also work in a fast changing, increasingly complex context. Our current Youth Empowerment Programme Manager is moving on, and we are keen to replace her with someone who can further develop our Programme to identify and develop increasingly innovative, sustainable and relevant projects that promise real and lasting change for the young people from our target countries of Syria, Palestine, Lebanon and the UK. We are therefore looking for a competent and energetic Programme Manager to join the team.

YOUTH EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME MANAGER

The Foundation is looking for an exceptional Programme Manager to manage and develop its educationand employment-related grant-making to partners that work with young people. In particular, the Youth Empowerment Programme Manager would ensure that:

  • The current partner portfolio is managed carefully so that it delivers results.
  • New partners, project ideas and strategies are identified and developed so that the Foundation’s funds are spent effectively, helping to create real change for young people in the Foundation’s target countries.
  • The Foundation follows best practice in education and grant making.

About you

The right person will be an experienced programme manager with good knowledge of the Arab region in general, and the Levant in particular, as well as the UK. He/she will have excellent knowledge and experience of youth education, enterprise and employment and will enjoy working with a young and dynamic team, in a fast paced, enthusiastic, professional environment dedicated to creating results for young people. The right candidate would have considerable experience of grant-making and be able to show evidence of innovative approaches. He/she will be an excellent communicator and partnership builder who is strongly committed to creating change for young people who live in very difficult situations.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Youth Empowerment Programme Manager(full time, permanent after probation)

Reports to: Head of Programmes(a new position)

Contract: Permanent position after successful completion of a six month probationary period

Hours:Full time, Monday to Friday 09.00 to 17.00

Location: The Asfari Foundation office, Unit A, 1-3 Canfield Place, London NW6 3BT

Salary and benefits £32,000 - £37,000(depending on experience and qualifications) (plus benefits)

Annual leave entitlement:25 days per year

Note:Travel in the UK and the Levant region upto ten weeks per year is required

Job purpose

In consultation with and under the supervision of the Board, the CEO and the Head of Programmes:

  • To be accountable for the successful delivery and development of the Youth Empowerment Programme in line with Foundation goals and objectives as laid down by the Trustees.
  • From time to time, other work as may be required.

Key responsibilities

Working closely with and under the supervision of the Head of Programmes, to be accountable for the management of the Youth Empowerment Programme to ensure its successful delivery in line with the Foundation’s specific goals and objectives as laid down by the Trustees.

Programme Management

  • Manage all existing projects within the Programme, ensuring that agreed outputs, targets and timescales are set and met.
  • Ensure that robust monitoring and evaluation systems are in place (through visits, calls, and regular, timely and qualitative narrative and financial reporting by partners) to ensure that the Foundation’s resources are well spent and its specific objectives and terms of agreement are met.
  • Establish and maintain strong and cooperative relationships with all partners and stakeholders.
  • Draft clear agreements to ensure that the Foundation meets its legal requirements.
  • Cost-effectively manage and report on the Programme budget and provide the Foundation’s Finance and Administration Manager with relevant information.
  • For projects with individual grantees, work closely with partners to ensure the selection of the most suitable candidates.
  • Be responsible for all administration related to the Programme, including responding to queries, archiving and travel arrangements (with support from the Administrator).
  • Ensure that all activity reflects the Foundation’s vision and values.

Programme Development

  • Develop the Programme so that it deliversinnovative, sustainable and cost effective support to the education, employment and long term prospects of young people in the Foundation’s target countries.
  • Monitor the educational and employment situation of young people in the Foundation’s target countries to inform the Programme, using personal expertise and contacts and working appropriately with experts and consultants, documenting this information for easy sharing with colleagues.
  • Develop a strong network of contacts and information sources on education, employment, enterprise and young people in the Foundation’s target countries.
  • Identify opportunities to develop Foundation-only or joint projects with reputable organisations and develop these into recommendations for the Trustees.
  • Help ensure that lessons learned are incorporated in the Foundation’s work.
  • Make recommendations to the Head of Programmes, CEO and Trustees to develop and refine procedures, policies and guidelines on all aspects of the Programme in line with Foundation standards, UK charity regulations and best practice.
  • When necessary, identify, recruit and manage consultants to work on the Programme.

Other tasks

  • Prepare reports on the Programme for Trustees and other stakeholders.
  • Proactively assist in the production of the agenda and papers for all meetings of the Trustees, and take minutes of meeting related to the Programme.
  • Assist in the production of annual accounts.
  • Contribute to the website, newsletter and other Foundation publicity materials.
  • Represent the Foundation to partners and other stakeholders.
  • Provide assistance to other colleagues when necessary.
  • Other tasks as may be required from time to time.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skills and experience

  • A relevant degree.
  • A proven track record in programme management.
  • Proven knowledge and experience in the field of youth education, employment and enterprise, including vocational training and higher education.
  • Extensive experience in or knowledge of the Arab region in general and the Levant in particular, with in-depth experience in at least one of the Foundation’s Arab target countries.
  • Experience in grant-making.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, enabling the fostering and maintenance of strong relationships with a variety of partners in several countries.
  • Excellent English oral and written communication skills.
  • Good research and analytical skills.
  • An ability to handle all Programme administration.
  • Ability to travel to the Foundation’s target countries and in the UK (no travel to Syria will currently be required) for up to ten weeks a year.
  • Self-motivated, mature, flexible and highly organised with good attention to detail.
  • Sensitivity to Arab culture; tact and diplomacy.
  • Enthusiastic and innovative.
  • Ableto work independently and in a team.
  • A passion for development, the Arab world, and open and just societies.
  • Commitment to the Foundation’s vision and values.

Desirable

  • A good working knowledge of Arabic.
  • Familiarity with emergency and refugee contexts.

Application process

Interested applicants should complete the application form and submit it by email to . Any queries should also be addressed to this email address. Please note that CVs will not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 0900 on 10 October. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted shortly after. Interviews are likely to take place one or two weeks later in London.

The Foundation will only consider non-UK or non-EU candidates if no suitable UK or EU candidates are available.