Country Manager

Job Description

Youth Challenge International (YCI) is seeking a Country Manager for Tanzania (based in Zanzibar) to lead, manage, and grow the HerStart: Innovate the Future program. This role is accountable for achieving project results, expanding YCI’s impact at the country level, and demonstrating people-centered leadership for staff, partners, and volunteers. The program focuses on advancing gender equality, innovation, and economic empowerment for young women in Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Requirements

• Permanent resident or a Citizen of Tanzania, with availability to live and work in Zanzibar
• Minimum of 8+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience at a management or director level
• Successful track record in co-designing, managing, and implementing donor-funded projects
• Demonstrated commitment to team management, mentoring, and supervising teams
• Proven ability to build effective teams and partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including government, community leaders, donors, private sector, and other NGOs
• Strategic mindset and skilled at designing and implementing effective workplans
• Sound financial planning and budget management skills
• Strong experience leading effective community development
• Passionate about investing in women and youth livelihoods and inspired by innovation and entrepreneurship
• Ideally, experience working with volunteers
• Ideally, demonstrated an integrated understanding of economic inclusion, gender equality, and climate action
• Effective communicator with excellent written and verbal English and Swahili proficiency

Responsibilities

• Establish a thriving team culture by leading, managing, and strengthening team capacity to deliver a high-quality project
• Oversee the delivery of all program components through coordinated processes to meet goals and targets, including volunteer management and project grants for participants and partners
• Manage country-level reporting and annual work planning activities
• Drive the oversight and implementation of country-level Human Resource Management, including recruitment, onboarding, and performance management
• Collaborate on the design and lead the implementation of Communication, Gender Equality, and Climate Action Strategies in the country
• Monitor and manage annual and multi-year program budgets aligned with donor requirements and work plans
• Ensure organizational compliance with country laws and regulations
• Ensure preparation and submission of high-quality financial documents and reports
• Monitor and manage the program risk profile in the country
• Act as the focal point for all risk, safety, and security incidents and ensure YCI’s Risk, Safety, and Security protocols are monitored and implemented across the project
• Manage local partnerships to ensure the effective delivery of collaborative project activities
• Engage diverse ecosystem actors (including government, non-profit, and private sectors) to build a multi-stakeholder network to support youth, women’s empowerment, and entrepreneurship objectives
• Ensure strong communication and relationships are established and maintained with all partners and YCI headquarters in Toronto, Canada
• Remain well-informed about national and regional priorities and issues affecting women and youth, and where possible, position the project and partnerships to respond appropriately
• Manage country team to develop and implement Annual Country Strategic Action Plans aligned with YCI’s Strategic Plan
• Pursue and manage additional funding and public engagement opportunities aligned with Country Strategic Action Plan
• Remain up-to-date on research, best practices, and sector strategies to ensure relevancy and impact of strategic decisions
• Expand YCI’s brand and presence through strategic engagements and relationship building
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Project Manager or CEO
• Adhere to YCI's Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy and Code of Conduct at all times.