Research Strategic Partnerships for Youth Employment Initiatives

Organizational Context

The 21st Century African Youth Movement (AYM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating employment and economic opportunities for African youth through programs in entrepreneurship, agriculture, education, technology, healthcare, ecotourism, and community development. As AYM expands its initiatives, strategic partnerships are crucial for sustainable impact. The organization seeks to collaborate with development agencies, foundations, corporations, academic institutions, and international networks to leverage resources, expertise, and opportunities for growth across Africa.

Job Purpose

This assignment aims to support the 21st Century African Youth Movement (AYM) in identifying and researching strategic partnership and collaboration opportunities. The volunteer will play a key role in mapping potential partners, funding sources, and stakeholder networks that align with AYM's mission to create employment and economic opportunities for African youth. The research will focus on organizations, institutions, foundations, corporations, development agencies, and academic bodies whose goals complement AYM's priorities in areas such as youth employment, entrepreneurship, education, agriculture, technology, and community development. The ultimate goal is to strengthen AYM's capacity to build meaningful partnerships, access new resources, and expand support for its vital programs, thereby enhancing its long-term growth, sustainability, and impact across the African continent.

Responsibilities

The volunteer will conduct comprehensive research to identify potential strategic partners and collaborators whose missions align with AYM's priorities in youth employment, entrepreneurship, education, agriculture, technology, healthcare, and community development. Key responsibilities include identifying grant, funding, and resource mobilization opportunities, and developing detailed profiles of potential partner organizations and donors. The role involves researching international organizations, foundations, corporations, and academic institutions that could support AYM programs, as well as identifying relevant conferences, forums, networks, and collaborative platforms. The volunteer will prepare partnership opportunity briefs and recommendation reports, develop and maintain a comprehensive partnership and opportunity database, and analyze identified opportunities to recommend priorities. Additionally, the role includes supporting stakeholder mapping, strategic outreach planning, and preparing summary reports of findings and recommendations.

Work Experience

While specific years of experience are not detailed, the role requires strong research and analytical skills, with experience in conducting organizational, policy, donor, or stakeholder research. Candidates should be adept at gathering, organizing, and analyzing information from multiple sources. Experience with international development, nonprofit organizations, or public policy is preferred, as is experience researching grants, donors, partnerships, or funding opportunities. Familiarity with youth development, economic development, or Africa-focused initiatives is also advantageous.

Skills

Essential skills include strong research and analytical capabilities, excellent report writing and documentation abilities, and proficiency in preparing concise summaries and recommendations. Candidates must possess good written and spoken English, strong organizational and time-management skills, and the ability to work independently and meet deadlines. Intermediate to advanced skills in stakeholder mapping and strategic thinking are also expected, alongside intermediate information management and strong communication abilities. Experience in partnership development research is also a key competency.

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