Job Summary
The Cluster Coordinator coordinates the implementation of the Mastercard Foundation-financed Internship Opportunities for Young Women program (iWork) within an assigned cluster (Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, or Kombolcha). The role ensures consistent delivery according to agreed work plans, budgets, quality standards, and donor requirements while managing cluster-based teams and strengthening local stakeholder collaboration to facilitate inclusive, gender-transformative pathways into internships and workforce readiness for young women and marginalized youth.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate day-to-day implementation of iWork activities within the assigned cluster, aligning with approved work plans, budgets, timeframes, and quality standards.
Provide technical support for cluster-level delivery of internship placements, host enterprise engagements, and workforce development activities.
Coordinate cluster planning, activity scheduling, progress tracking, review meetings, and adaptive management.
Identify and address delivery issues, risks, safeguarding concerns, and operational bottlenecks, escalating critical matters through proper channels.
Coordinate cluster logistics, administration, procurement follow-up, and expenditure planning to ensure accountability and value for money.
Support cluster-level implementation of MEAL plans, data collection, participant monitoring, and timely reporting.
Build and maintain effective working relationships with local government bodies, consortium partners, private sector actors, host enterprises, TVETs, universities, civil society organizations, and OPDs.
Manage cluster-based team members in alignment with VSO people policies, providing coaching, mentoring, and ensuring safeguarding and duty of care standards.
Educational Qualification & Experience Requirements
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree
(or equivalent) in Development Studies, Economics, Business Administration, Project Management, Sociology, Social Work, Education, Labour Studies, or related fields (an MA is an advantage).
Work Experience
Significant relevant professional experience in youth employment, workforce development, internship programs, TVET, livelihoods, private sector engagement, or economic empowerment programs, including experience managing donor-funded projects and field-level coordination.
Required Skills & Competencies
Practical knowledge of youth employment, internship pathways, workforce development, enterprise engagement, inclusive workplace practices, and women/youth economic empowerment.
Lived experience in the project location with the ability to apply gender-transformative, disability-inclusive, and youth-centered approaches.
Experience in field-level implementation, including budget, procurement, logistics, and office administration.
Strong partnership and stakeholder engagement skills.
Practical skills in safeguarding, duty of care, risk monitoring, incident response, and people management (coaching and mentoring).
Effective communication, digital skills, working English proficiency, and fluency in relevant local languages.
Core skills in
Communication
.