This role involves leading the strategy, coordination, and capacity building of youth and volunteer programs, specifically the Global Village Program, across the Habitat for Humanity International Africa network. The Specialist ensures volunteer programs are effectively mobilized and scaled in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals, maintaining high standards and compliance.
Roles and Responsibilities
Global Village Program Strategic Coordination
- Manage and coordinate national organizations participating in the Global Village, including program/project administration, training, budget planning, and risk management.
- Support every aspect of the volunteer journey (e.g., Global Village resource creation/update) in close collaboration with colleagues in programs, advocacy, communications, and resource development to strengthen volunteer mobilization.
- Ensure close collaboration between the Habitat Africa network and other regional and global teams in support of the Global Village program’s growth strategy and overall Africa volunteer programs strategy.
- Coordinate and provide emergency support to volunteer teams and country programs during a time of crisis.
- Support other types of volunteer engagement opportunities taking place in the region in coordination with Resource Development or other relevant departments, ensuring the implementation of Habitat’s volunteer duty of care.
Program Management (Youth and Local Volunteering)
- Lead the volunteer program in Africa by setting ambitious yet achievable targets and forecasting trends in collaboration with national organizations, ensuring volunteer programs are effectively mobilized and scaled in alignment with the organization’s strategic goals.
- Collaborate with national organizations, regional, and global teams to support the development and implementation of Habitat’s strategy for youth engagement in the region, aligning closely with overarching goals.
- Engage in extensive consultation with relevant departments to underscore the significance of youth volunteerism, leveraging both new strategies and existing initiatives from national organizations to amplify awareness and participation.
- Partner with regional teams and national organizations to integrate and advance local volunteering, inclusive of youth volunteering across all facets of Habitat’s programs and projects.
- Liaise closely with area office teams to establish a robust pipeline aimed at maximizing funding opportunities, fostering the sustainability of youth and national volunteering initiatives. Collaborate with external partners to expand Habitat’s influence and impact in youth engagement.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Review volunteer evaluations and feedback pre, during, and post-engagement, compile reports, and recommend necessary changes and improvements for maintaining or strengthening standards and program quality.
- Monitor and ensure implementation of minimum standards and relevant policies by national organizations involving volunteers.
- Work with other teams and national organizations to create awareness about Global Village and other volunteer programs results and direct and indirect impact.
Capacity Development and Partnerships
- Lead in the design and delivery of training opportunities to upgrade staff skills in volunteer management, program development, volunteer fundraising and events, and collaborate with other departments in providing holistic support to national organizations.
- Provide thought leadership and related guidance to improve the capacity of the network in managing volunteer programs (beyond Global Village) and understanding volunteering in development.
- Facilitate the creation of sustainable partnerships that will drive innovations and growth through volunteering.
- Build knowledge and experience in volunteer program management and development of tools and resources.
Other Specialized Support
- Consolidate qualitative and quantitative reporting of all volunteer programs, projects, and initiatives, manage and document volunteer data, including financial Return on Investment (ROI) analysis.
- Liaise with global and other Area Office teams in all aspects of volunteer engagement and next-generation programming for and on behalf of the Africa region.
- Support the Resource Development team in cultivating volunteer interest and tapping volunteer skills into other Resource Development channels to fund the mission.
- Support youth initiatives and engagements in the Africa Region including but not limited to volunteerism.
Minimum Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in development, political science, or a related field.
Experience:
- Working experience in the NGO sector and international development.
- Minimum 5 years of volunteer mobilization and management and/or volunteer programming in peace and development settings.