1. Purpose of Consultancy
EMpower seeks the support of a consultant to:
- Support the implementation of our grant-making strategy in Ghana and Nigeria;
- Support the implementation of our capacity strengthening work in the two countries which includes developing and facilitating learning events;
- Act as main point of contact for current and prospective grantee partners
2. Background
EMpower – The Emerging Markets Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of marginalised young people (10-24), especially adolescent girls, in 15 emerging market counties in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Turkey. As a unique global philanthropy, EMpower partners with nearly 100 local organisations providing them with grants, technical assistance, youth development expertise and learning opportunities. Through programs in education, livelihoods and health and well-being, we empower youth and strengthen their resilience and self-confidence. EMpower has offices in New York, London, Hong Kong, Singapore and India (Delhi), as well as program staff in Mexico, South Africa, Mumbai and Istanbul. To learn more about EMpower, please check out www.empowerweb.org.
3. Deliverables
In collaboration with and under the supervision of the Senior Programme Officer for Africa the consultant will be responsible for:
Direct management of grants (55%)
- Identify and vet organisations in Ghana and Nigeria that meet EMpower’s grant-making priorities and criteria.
- Review, screen and make recommendations on incoming letters of inquiry and grant proposals. Conduct due diligence, and negotiate proposals and budgets with prospective and current grantee partners.
- Prepare written grant summaries and present recommendations to grants committees (up to 3 times a year).
- Monitor grants through review of reports, meetings, site visits and correspondence. Review and prepare analyses of grantee partners’ final reports; providing feedback to grantee partners and incorporating highlights into EMpower materials.
- Assist with developing and executing country strategy in Ghana and Nigeria.
- Source grants through desk research and field visits as needed.
- Network with other organisations to explore collaborative grant-making opportunities and share useful information.
Learning, Convening and Knowledge sharing (35%)
- Assist in planning opportunities for facilitating capacity building while taking a lead in identifying and organising such opportunities in Ghana and Nigeria.
- Draft reports (or key sections) for programmatic grants to EMpower, and occasional proposals as they relate to EMpower’s grant-making in Ghana and Nigeria.
- Provide content for e-communications, annual reports and other materials as they relate to the Ghana and Nigeria portfolios.
General (10%)
- Contribute to planning, fundraising and marketing processes as required.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
4. Timelines
Start day: 16th May 2022
End date: contract renewable subject to successful delivery and availability of funding
5. Work effort
The work effort required would be equivalent to three days (24 hours) per week. This contract will be for up to (a maximum) of 93 working days ending on 21st December 2022. The budget available is $23,000.
6. Specific requirements
Qualifications:
- Preferred but not required: University degree in a field related to youth development, such as international development, public policy or administration, social anthropology, or gender studies OR 4 additional years of professional experience in the sector in lieu of a university degree.
Professional experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in working in a grant-making organization and/or within youth development organisations required; strong livelihoods development component, preferred.
- Experience in thinking creatively and strategically about how to direct limited resources to leverage change for young people and their communities.
Skills and knowledge:
- Since the main focus of EMpower’s grant-making in Ghana is to help develop livelihood opportunities for young people in the country, ideally the successful candidate will need to be able to demonstrate strong understanding of related approaches to youth development.
- Strong understanding gender equitable / girl-centred programming.
- Proficiency in both English and at least one of Akan, Dagbani, Hausa and Yoruba is essential.
- Highly organised, with skills and experience in program management or grants administration.
- Ability to work with and analyse budgets and quantitative information in excel spreadsheets or in databases.
- Critical analytical capacities; interest and ability to see and report on trends and results, and to compile lessons learned.
- Interest in the field of youth development; mental health and gender equality including LGBTIQ+ issues, emerging market countries, and effective philanthropy.
- Flexible with ability to juggle tasks and shift priorities as required. Strong initiative and ability to anticipate, prioritise, complete multiple projects and meet deadlines, with consistent attention to detail.
- Strong interpersonal and written communications skills, demonstrating cultural sensitivity/awareness
- Ability to work independently with a high degree of judgement and professionalism, as well as virtually with a team across multiple time zones; sense of humour and perspective.
- A commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; alignment with EMpower’s values.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications, including databases. Comfortable with learning new database technology; experience using Salesforce a plus.
- Ability to travel in both Ghana and Nigeria, and to the U.K / U.S if / when needed.
EMpower is unable to consider candidates who do not already hold the legal right to live and work in either Ghana or Nigeria.
7. Place of assignment
Home-based.
8. Travel
The consultant is expected to travel within Ghana and Nigeria and on exceptional circumstances travel to the UK or US. Travel will be funded separately.
9. Remuneration
Remuneration in line with experience
10. Closing date for submissions
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to [email protected], latest by Friday 25th March 2022. Please include reference GN Consultant 2022 in the subject line of your email.
11. Supervision
The consultant will be line-managed by the Senior Programme Officer for Africa but key relationships include the Vice President for Programmes; the Director for Adolescent Girls and Gender; the Program Officer, South Africa and members of EMpower’s Programme Team.
12. Equal Opportunity Employer
EMpower is a global funder that makes grants globally to benefit marginalised young people, especially adolescent girls and young women. We strive to attract, develop,
motivate and retain exceptional talent. We are committed to a team work environment that recognises contribution, fosters respect, facilitates strong performance, and prizes inclusion. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, recognising that diversity enriches all staff and our work globally. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or faith, or physical ability.
How to apply
Interested candidates should send a cover letter and CV to [email protected], latest by Friday 25th March 2022. Please include reference GN Consultant 2022 in the subject line of your email.
