Project Lead at DG Murray Trust

Overview of the role:

• Are you passionate about driving systems change that is grounded in the lived experiences of young people? Are you experienced in managing a small, passionate and high performing team in the development sector? Does working with data analysis excite you? Do you understand parliamentary processes? Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment? We are looking for a confident individual who is stimulated by big strategic ideas, in forming relationships with people (individuals, groups and organisations), able to make sense of complex data, and skilled to drive the overall strategy and management of Youth Capital.
• This is a full-time Cape Town-based post, with domestic travel required. Currently incubated by the DG Murray Trust (www.dgmt.co.za), Youth Capital (https://youthcapital.co.za/), is a campaign advocating for youth-centred and evidence-based solutions to youth unemployment. You will be working in a small but motivated team, growing and supporting Youth Capital’s in-person (offline) community through facilitating activations and supporting young people in their communities to endorse Youth Capital’s campaigns.

Responsibilities    

• Providing strategic direction, oversight, and support the execution of the Youth Capital Strategy.
• Identifying and seizing opportunities that build the campaign and consolidate partnerships.
• Ensuring the overall management and delivery of the campaign (including staff, operations, consultants and budget), is well-managed.
• Working with the entire team to execute a public advocacy agenda to place the issue of youth unemployment in the national consciousness and drive urgent action.
• Develop a network of strategic relationships within in parliament, national and provincial government.
• Develop a research agenda to support the advocacy agenda of Youth Capital.
• Design surveys and research collection tools to serve this agenda.
• Analyse existing data sets and extract relevant data points to strengthen Youth Capital’s advocacy agenda.

Qualification    

• A relevant Masters’ degree in social sciences, youth development or similar.Proficiency in more than one South African language.
• Outstanding English writing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong IT skills (e.g. Google Suite, Excel, Word, Powerpoint).

Experience    

• At least 3 years’ experience in a management position, ideally with a systems change focus;
• Have experience in driving advocacy campaigns that leverage dynamic networks across diverse communities;
• Have experience in research design and quantitative and qualitative data analysis;
• Understand parliamentary processes and have existing relationships with decision makers;
• Be a confident public speaker, able to convey complex information in a succinct way in the media.

Personal characteristics    

• Excellent leadership abilities, with the ability to manage a multitude of things simultaneously;
• An agile mindset, able to adapt quickly in an ever-changing environment;
• Love contributing to and working in a team, and appreciate feedback from team members;
• Have a love for learning and an interest in social justice and advocacy