Policy Influence Advisor – Community Service as a Pathway to Work (CSPW) Program

About YNSD and the CSPW Program

Youth Network for Sustainable Development (YNSD) is a non-governmental, non-profit making indigenous organization which was founded in 2003 by four school clubs and fifteen youth associations. Currently, YNSD is an umbrella Network for more than 1000 youth organizations/associations at national level.

Its mission is to contribute for the sustainable development through promoting partnerships, networking, and building the capacity of its member organizations while its vision is to see Ethiopian youth holistically empowered and meaningfully engaged in the country’s all-rounded and sustainable development.

It has been implementing programs and projects including youth and women empowerment, Sexual & Reproductive Health (SRH) & HIV/AIDS, Information & Communication Technology, environment sustainability, advocacy, WASH and new emerging issues.

Currently it is running a five-year program (2023 – 2027) implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and JHU-CCP.The program is running in six regions, 14+ zones, 150+ woredas, and 1800+ kebeles of the country. Where YNSD covers 60% of the target

The program, as referred to as Community Service as a pathway to Work (CSPW) is primarily aimed at engaging the youth in dignified and fulfilling work reaching 500K Youth (70% women) and 10% vulnerable Groups in community services and expected to support 200K youth (18-35 years of age) transition to work.

Following critical insights from program implementation and based on one of its program outcomes focusing on “Organization- and system-level change that fosters youth-centered community service created”, we are seeking a dynamic and strategic Policy Influence Advisor to lead our advocacy efforts, particularly to address systemic barriers like Access to Finance (A2F) and to foster an enabling environment for youth employment.

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the CSPW Program Implementation Director, the Policy Influence Advisor will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive policy engagement and advocacy strategy. The primary focus will be to influence key government institutions, financial sector actors, and other stakeholders at federal and regional levels to create a more supportive policy and ecosystem for youth entrepreneurship, employment, and community service. The Advisor will work closely with the program leadership, technical teams, and partners to translate on-the-ground challenges into actionable policy agendas.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

1.Strategy Development & Leadership:

• Develop, implement, and monitor a robust Policy Influence and Advocacy Strategy aligned with CSPW’s goals, with a special emphasis on unlocking systemic bottlenecks in Access to Finance (A2F).
• Lead the program’s engagement with high-level stakeholders, including the National Bank of Ethiopia (NBE), Ministry of Labor and Skills, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, regional bureaus, financial institutions, and private sector associations.
• Serve as the primary focal point for all policy-related matters within the CSPW program, reporting directly to the Program Implementation Director.

2.Research, Analysis & Evidence Generation:

• Conduct policy analysis and landscape assessments to identify key barriers and opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
• Synthesize program data, learning, and evidence into compelling policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy messages.
• Research and propose innovative, youth-friendly financial products and collateral alternatives in collaboration with partners.

3.Stakeholder Engagement & Coalition Building:

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, industry bodies, and other Mastercard Foundation partners.
• Organize high-level policy dialogues, roundtables, and consultative workshops.
• Represent YNSD and the CSPW program in relevant national and regional policy forums and networks.

4. Advocacy & Implementation Support:

• Advocate for the adoption of policies and practices that support youth-led micro-enterprises, streamline business legalization, and enhance access to credit.
• Provide technical guidance to program clusters on engaging with regional and woreda-level government structures to institutionalize community service and improve public-private collaboration for wage employment.
• Support the functionality and advocacy capacity of Woreda-level Community Service Forums.

5. Monitoring, Reporting & Learning:

• Track and report on policy influence outcomes and the progress of the advocacy strategy.
• Document case studies, success stories, and lessons learned from policy engagement efforts.
• Contribute to program quarterly and annual reports with strategic analysis of the policy environment.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop long-term influence strategies based on program evidence.
• Excellent Communication: Superior writing, editing, and presentation skills in English and Amharic; ability to distill complex issues for diverse audiences.
• Negotiation & Influence: Proven ability to persuade and build consensus among high-level stakeholders.
• Networking & Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills and an existing network within Ethiopian government and financial sectors is a significant advantage.
• Analytical & Research Skills: Proficiency in policy analysis and using data to build a case for change.
• Project Management: Ability to manage advocacy initiatives, events, and multiple stakeholders effectively.
• Team Collaboration: Works effectively with technical teams, M&E, and communication units.

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Law, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in policy advocacy, government relations, public affairs, or a related field, preferably within the development sector, financial inclusion, or youth employment domains.
• Demonstrated experience in successfully influencing policy change at the federal or regional level in Ethiopia.
• Deep understanding of Ethiopia’s financial sector, SME policy landscape, youth employment challenges, and the regulatory environment for NGOs.
• Proven experience in drafting high-quality policy briefs, reports, and other advocacy materials.
• Experience working with or within government institutions and/or the banking sector is highly desirable.