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Role: Youth Council Representative

Location Mtwara with frequent travel to Lindi

Employer Partner

VSO Tanzania

Youth Development Officers, as part of Ministry of Youth

Duration 7 months, starting September 2020

Job purpose The ideal candidate for this role is an excellent communicator and representative for the youth in the youth council of Mtwara/Lindi. The relationship with this youth council was set up through previous youth projects of VSO Tanzania, and we are now looking for volunteers who can build on these relationships and where possible, extend them further. Next to this, you will be jointly responsible for building relationships with the National youth council, which are currently non-existing. During this placement, you will work together intensively with a national volunteer who is already representing youth in the youth council. . In this role, you will be working on supporting these youth councils in the design and the implementation of their youth policy. The main goal of this will be the strengthening of the council’s youth engagement and youth voice. Plans should be made, initiatives should be undertaken and these ideas are expected to be executed to further enhance youth engagement in Tanzanian society. This can only be achieved when the volunteer is in constant conversation, either face to face or through other communications channels, with young people and/or their representing bodies. Next to that, the volunteer should also be a representative of VSO both in- and outside of the targeted youth councils. If you want to contribute to shaping and building the future of the youth in Tanzania, this is your job!

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Organisation background VSO is a leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers.

We are unique in the way we bring people together to volunteer their knowledge, experience and

skills to fight poverty. VSO currently works in 24 developing countries mainly in Asia and Africa. We

always work in partnerships, supporting and bringing together diverse partners (government

departments, community based organisations, NGOs and the private sector) who are strategically

placed to advance pro-poor policies and programmes. We have been working in Tanzania since 1961,

strengthening capacity to improve the quality, delivery and access of services in education, health and

secure livelihoods.

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Job Description Note; these objectives are subject to improvement/modification after discussion with project manager as well as implementing partner.

Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge

The ideal candidate will, in close collaboration with the programme manager and your national counterpart:

• Review youth policies currently in place on their feasibility and effect on (the most vulnerable) youth, in line with national policies;

• Support youth councils in collaboration with Youth Development Officers in implementation of their youth policy;

• Suggest improvements on current youth policies;

• Build capacity of regional youth representatives and youth officers at the district level;

• Enhance youth engagement at all levels by supporting youth councils to draw plans, come up with new initiatives and execute them;

• Network with private parties and other stakeholders involved in youth policies;

• Be in constant conversation with youth and their representing bodies through different communication channels;

• Build, maintain and extend relevant networks and working relationships to strengthen their own and the youth council’s voice;

• To be decided;

These KPI’s can be subject to change if deemed necessary by project manager or employee.

• Building and Sustaining working

relationships The social skills to build and actively maintain working relationships that foster teamwork and collaboration with others for the benefit of a common goal.

• Open Minded and Respectful A non-judgemental approach that values other people and culture.

• Seeking and Sharing Knowledge

Recognition that learning is a two-way and continuous process.

• Facilitating Positive Change

The ability to analyse problems and develop lasting solutions in line with VSO approaches.

• Adaptability

A flexible approach and the ability to adapt behaviour to different situations.

• Resilience

The self-confidence to work with a variety of situations, diverse people and ambiguity.

Qualifications (essential):

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social studies, communication or comparable sector; Experience

• Several years of experience in representing marginalised groups within society, preferably youth;

• Proven fluent in English, both written and spoken;

• Proven ability to communicate with people from all different ranges of and ranks within organisation;

• Thorough understanding of challenges facing (marginalised) youth;

• Proven ability in identifying relevant stakeholders and building relationships with them;

Desirable:

Knowledge of and previous experience in working in a developmental context or (I) NGO.

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Responsibilities Key Performance Indicators Competencies Skills and Knowledge • Act as a representative of VSO both

in- and outside of the youth councils.

Responsible to: Programme Manager Youth

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Personal considerations In addition to the job description, the following information should be used when considering whether a placement is suitable for you.

Situational information This placement is situated in the town of Mtwara and Lindi. The town of Lindi is around 400 kilometres from Dar es Salaam, with Mtwara situated about 100 kilometres south of Lindi. Although Mtwara is located in the southeast part of Tanzania, about 40 kilometres from the border of Mozambique, it has reasonable transport links to Dar es Salaam and other parts of the country. As of now, there are two daily flights of about an hour connecting Mtwara to Dar es Salaam. There are several bus companies providing a daily service to Dar es Salaam, which takes about 7 to 8 hours. In and around the towns of Mtwara and Lindi, there is a reasonable-sized community of other volunteers and also some expats. The Selous Game Reserve is one of the largest reserves of the world and is based in the southern part of Tanzania, close to the east coast of Africa. As Mtwara is situated at the coast of the Indian Ocean, it is a very good spot to go snorkelling and diving. Both above and under water, this part of Tanzania can offer great natural beauty. It might be because Lindi and Mtwara are right along the coast, which makes these places so peaceful and relaxed. Personal health considerations If you have a significant current or past medical condition or you have general concerns about staying healthy as a volunteer, please use this information to assess whether this placement will be suitable for you. All volunteers require medical clearance from a VSO medical adviser before they are able to take up a placement with VSO. Occasionally, VSO may consider that this placement is too great a risk for you in terms of your personal health and you would be advised to consider a different placement. For further guidance about medical assessment and volunteering with a medical condition please see the frequently asked questions on VSO website. Access to medical care and support The standard and quality of local medical care and support available at this placement will depend on its location within the country. Health facilities are likely to be more poorly resourced in rural areas in terms of medical expertise, equipment, infrastructure and regular supplies of medication. However, this is not the case in the largest city, Dar es Salaam, or in other larger cities, where there is a reasonable standard of medical care. If you wish to discuss your personal circumstances or health concerns in confidence with VSO’s medical team before you apply for this placement, please contact medical@vsoint.org. Security information Mtwara and Lindi are fairly safe places. You will need to take extra care especially at and around your residence when in Mtwara or Lindi. Walking alone is not preferred at night time, and when visiting market areas or other very populated areas, it is advised you join other volunteers for security purposes. It is also advised to go low-profile on the display of possible wealth, for example expensive cameras and showy watches. In this area of Tanzania, VSO

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volunteers are usually housed in secured compounds together with other volunteers or local Tanzanians. Work permit information When you are going to work in Tanzania for a period longer than three weeks, you are required to have obtained both a Residence Permit and a Work Permit before you can enter Tanzania. The process of obtaining these permits is a long procedure that can take up to six months to complete. Of course, the professional support staff in our country office situated in Dar es Salaam will take care of this process, Please note that they are always there to provide you with all necessary assistance, but please take this timeframe into account when considering whether a placement is suitable for you.