Opportunity for Youth Employment (OYE)/Livelihoods Development Officer

Company Description

SNV is a Not-for-Profit International Development Organisation with long-term, local presence in over 30 of the poorest countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Our team of advisors works with local partners to equip communities and businesses with the tools, knowledge and connections they need to increase their incomes and gain access to basic services. SNV works across three sectors: Agriculture, Energy and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. Several international donors fund our programmes. SNV has a +100 million euro annual turnover and is aiming for further growth.

Position Summary

SNV Zambia has been implementing Energy for Agriculture (E4A) and Sustainable Integrated Land Management Solutions (SILMS) projects with support from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Embassy of Sweden in Zambia. The aim of E4A project is to develop viable markets for productive biodigesters in Zambia that leads to improved livelihoods for small holder farmers through increased savings on fuel and income generation from the productive use of biogas and bioslurry. The SILMS project uses a market-based approach to increase smallholder farmers' incomes through the adoption of sustainable land management practices of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), agro-forestry and deforestation-free supply chains. The approach combines climate change mitigation with agricultural adaptation strategies. Both projects are interlinked as Energy is a critical enabler for Agriculture/Climate Smart Agriculture. All increases of Agriculture productivity, storage, processing and transport require more energy. The idea is to accomplish this growth with renewables (for irrigation, cooling, processing) and make the chain more energy efficient.

For 2019 SNV envisages to integrate the Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE) approach, which is a market based method to sustainably reduce youth unemployment and underemployment through the provision of access to (self) employment at the local level into both projects. The outreach of the OYE component is 1,000 unemployed rural young people. It aims to achieve access to direct employment and business opportunities in climate smart agriculture and renewable energy sectors. In the Agriculture sector, the objective is to createemployment opportunities and improved incomes for 500 youths with a potential benefit to 3,000 people in their households and extended families in Zambia. Part of these youth will be employed in 15 new youth-led agri-businesses such as in processing, input retail etc. Whereas in the Renewable Energy sector, theproject will directly benefit 500 youths in the country, who will gain employment in existing biodigester and other renewable energy enterprises and in 15 new youth led renewable energy enterprises (biodigester cnstruction, after-sale serices, use of biogas and bioslurry).

Overview of the Position

With the duty station in Katete, Eastern Province, the OYE and Livelihoods Development Officer will take a lead role in developing and managing the implementation of the proposed activities and will ensure that all proposed objectives and targets related to OYE and livelihoods development are achieved. S/he will work with in close coordination with E4A and SILMS team members. The OYE officer will be reporting to the Project Manager SILMS, SNV Zambia. The position requires frequent travel to project areas (Lundazi, Katete).

Job Description

Key responsibilities:

·Plan and implement activities related to OYE and Livelihoods

·Formulate youth selection criteria and select youths to participate in the OYE programme;

·Facilitate basic life and business skills training aimed at further enhancing motivation, drive, seriousness with concrete examples/cases related to employment/enterprise development (e.g calculations of necessary investments against anticipated revenue);

·Conduct market opportunity assessment and grouping of youths based upon their interests and motivation for (self) employment in various thematic areas such as biodigester production, marketing, enterprise development, ISFM, Agroforestry, nursery establishment, soil testing etc;

·Organize entrepreneurship training for youth - both men and women, and support establishment of business;

·Organize training and facilitate formation of youth saving and lending associations;

·Link youth to market opportunities for employment and enterprise development;

·Advocate, mobilize and work with multiple stakeholders, including Agro-entrepreneurs, Biodigester Construction Enterprises (BCEs), private sector, biodigester users, government extension officers, NGOs and social enterprises, in areas relevant to youth employment e.g. employment, entrepreneurship, private sector development, local economic development, micro-finance, poverty reduction, agriculture, livestock, vocational and technical education and training, etc;

·Assist young people in the program areas by developing and maintaining strong partnerships with employers, training providers, and other relevant organisations to generate opportunities to gain employment and further development of skills; provide specialist advise on Traineeships, Apprenticeships and other learning pathways;

·Conduct research, develop and maintain resources of external opportunities; and track and coordinate placement documentation, maintain log of contacts and performance records. This role will support young people who are at increased risk of long-term unemployment to improve their chances to find and keep a job;

· Ensure the diversification of end use applications of biodigester products biogas and bioslurry for productive purposes;

·Guide knowledge development, documentation and communication & branding in close collaboration with E4A and SILMS teams.

Qualifications

Requirements

·Masters degree plus 5 years of experience OR Bachelors Degree and 8 years experience in a relevant discipline e.g. agriculture, agricultural economics, agribusiness, energy economics and business administration;

·Proven track record in implementation of projects of similar nature in development organizations in the following areas:

o Entrepreneurship/private sector development

o youth skills development

o inclusive business/market models

o multiple stakeholder facilitation, public private partnerships;

o (action) research for innovative development solutions

· Demonstrated experience in managing capacity building programs with preferably a background in training;

· A proactive and entrepreneurial individual who will explore and develop innovative approaches that appeal to rural youth ;

· Excellent social / networking skills, ability to engage with government, private sector and civil society;

· Excellent communication (writing and oral) skills, reporting and presentation skills;

· Available for frequent travel in the project areas.

Additional Information

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your motivation letter and CV in English.