Program Manager

About the Organization

Established in 1947, the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Ethiopia is one of the oldest youth development organizations in the country. Affiliated with the World Alliance of YMCAs and the African Alliance of YMCAs, our core objective is to ensure the well-being of communities and children, with a particular focus on youth through the holistic development of body, mind, and spirit. We collaborate with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders in Addis Ababa and the five regions (Amhara, Oromia, SNNPR, Tigray, and Sidama), and operate ten (10) branch offices nationwide.

Profile Summary

The Program Manager is the architect of impact, responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that embody the YMCA’s Holistic Approach (Body, Mind, Spirit). This role operationalizes the Theory of Change by creating safe Spaces, equipping youth with Skills, and providing Opportunities for transformation. The Program Manager ensures that all activities contribute directly to the Vision 2030 pillars fostering Community Wellbeing, promoting Sustainable Planet practices, and building a Just World. They act as the technical lead, ensuring program quality and the achievement of measurable outcomes for young people.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Design & Strategic Implementation:

• Develop and oversee the implementation of integrated programs that address the cognitive (Mind), physical (Body), and spiritual/emotional (Spirit) needs of young people.
• Strong ability in program planning ad recurring reports
• Align program activities with the Vision 2030 goals, ensuring interventions lead to Meaningful Work and social inclusion, community wellbeing and a just world .
• Apply the Space, Skills, Opportunities framework to design age-appropriate and gender-sensitive interventions.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL):

• Design logical frameworks and M&E plans to track program effectiveness and impact.
• Utilize data to adapt programs and produce evidence-based reports for donors and stakeholders.
• Document success stories and lessons learned to contribute to the global YMCA knowledge base.

Team Management & Capacity Building:

• Supervise and mentor program staff and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Identify training needs to build the capacity of staff in areas such as youth development, safeguarding, and Sustainable Planet practices.
• Good interpersonal skill and collaboration with branch program staff members

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with the Communication Officer to highlight program successes.
• Engage local communities, schools, and government bodies to create a supportive ecosystem for youth and community development..

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, Development Studies, Education, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in program management within an NGO, specifically with youth-focused programs.
• Proven experience in project cycle management (PCM) and results-based management.
• Good interpersonal skill and collaboration with branch program staff members
• Strong knowledge of Child Protection and Safeguarding policies.
• Experience working with international donors and understanding of reporting cycles