Specialist - Program Governance, YEFFA Program

The Specialist - Program Governance is responsible for ensuring the effective coordination, documentation, and implementation of YEFFA’s technical governance structure. This includes the Program Steering Group (PSG), Strategic Advisory Group (SAG), and Coordination & Collaboration Committee (CCC). The role provides essential oversight and logistical management of governance processes that ensure alignment between strategic decisions, operational delivery, and institutional accountability across AGRA’s 10 YEFFA countries.

The ideal candidate will serve as the governance backbone of the YEFFA Portfolio Management Hub (PMH), ensuring that decision-making processes are well-documented, action points are tracked, and feedback loops between oversight and delivery are efficient. S/he will maintain governance calendars, coordinate high-level meetings, prepare briefs, and track the implementation of resolutions. The role is critical for strengthening AGRA’s credibility and coherence with the Mastercard Foundation and other strategic partners by ensuring that all governance engagements are timely, transparent, and results-oriented.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Governance Coordination and Documentation

• Provide high-level coordination support to YEFFA governance bodies and associated boards/committees.
• Plan and manage governance calendars, including scheduling, logistics, and meeting coordination for PSG, SAG, and CCC.
• Prepare and circulate agendas, briefs, and background materials in advance of meetings.
• Document, synthesize, and share minutes, action points, and follow-up trackers to drive accountability.
• Ensure alignment of governance decisions with organizational policies, donor requirements, and regulatory frameworks in collaboration with the Director, Gender, Youth and Inclusiveness.

Decision Tracking and Alignment

• Maintain a centralized governance decision log and track implementation of action items to completion.
• Monitor progress of resolutions and recommendations to ensure strategic and operational alignment.
• Identify bottlenecks, escalate risks, and support timely resolution with relevant leadership.
• Produce periodic (including monthly) governance performance updates and insights for leadership.
• Ensure systematic archiving of governance records within AGRA’s knowledge repository.

Stakeholder Relations and Coordination

• Serve as the central coordination point for governance stakeholders, including PSG, SAG, CCC, AGRA leadership, and external partners.
• Facilitate effective stakeholder engagement and communication before and after governance meetings.
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs to governance forums, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities.
• Organize governance-related engagements such as learning events, high-level reviews, and partner roundtables.
• Ensure all governance communications meet brand and compliance standards.

Governance Systems and Reporting

• Develop and maintain governance systems, including tracking tools, dashboards, templates, and reporting frameworks.
• Strengthening governance frameworks, risk management, and accountability mechanisms.
• Produce timely governance reports and briefing notes for management and partners.
• Support coordination of key governance events (e.g., Annual YEFFA Learning Summit, portfolio reviews).

Key Qualifications and Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, International Development, Project Management, Political Science, or a related field.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Governance and Compliance is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience in program governance, coordination, or administration within international development organizations or donor-funded programs.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multi-stakeholder governance platforms, program steering committees, or advisory boards.
• Proven ability to track decisions, prepare accurate documentation, and maintain governance compliance in complex environments.
• Experience working with donor-funded institutions such as the Mastercard Foundation, World Bank, or bilateral agencies.
• Strong coordination, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital collaboration platforms (Teams, SharePoint).
• Demonstrate strong understanding of governance structures, decision-making processes, and policy tracking.
• Skilled in planning, scheduling, and managing cross-functional engagements.
• Must demonstrate excellent writing, synthesis, and communication skills for high-level reports and briefs.
• Ability to design systems for tracking progress and maintaining institutional memory.
• Familiarity with governance frameworks within African agricultural and youth employment programs.