Manager/Senior Manager, Youth Engagement and Research (ICPD)

Job description

[What the role is] You will be supporting SWDA's efforts to deepen our understanding of youths’ career aspirations and behaviours, and shape initiatives that strengthen youths’ engagement with career development and planning. You will lead research efforts, pilot programmes and associated funding and grants management processes that inform policy and engagement strategies to support youths’ school-to-work transitions and their early careers. As a Senior Manager/ Manager in Youth Engagement and Research, you will: [What you will be working on] Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to understand perceptions, motivations, challenges, and behaviours of youths pertaining to work and career planning Identify and explore emerging youths-related trends in education, employment, values and identity, and how these impact school-to-work transitions and early career decisions and pathways Synthesize research insights into actionable recommendations to inform programmes, partnerships, and outreach strategies Support internal teams with youth-related insights and frameworks to ensure initiatives are designed with empathy and relevance Engage with youth-focused organisations, educators, community groups, and ecosystem partners to develop collaborative initiatives and expand outreach Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships with youth organisations, education institutions and community stakeholders to co-develop impactful initiatives Design and lead youth-centric pilot initiatives and engagements to test new approaches to career development and planning, including both digital and in-person formats Develop funding proposals, grant applications and programme budgets for youth-related initiatives and pilots Manage and monitor grants and programme funding for assigned initiatives, ensuring compliance with funding requirements, proper governance, and effective utilisation of resources Work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure timely funding disbursement, tracking and reporting of programme outcomes Track and evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of youth-related initiatives and surface insights for broader implementation Present insights and recommendations clearly and persuasively to internal and external stakeholders, including senior management and external partners [What we are looking for] You should have the following work experience and knowledge: Relevant experience in youth engagement, market and consumer/user research, programme development, community development and/or grants/funding management Strong grasp of qualitative and/or quantitative research methods, including survey design, interviews, focus groups, or user testing Familiarity with trends in youth development, education-to-work transitions, and socio-economic issues affecting young people Experience working with or designing initiatives for diverse youth profiles, including students, graduates, and early-career workers Proficient in MS Office, especially PowerPoint and Excel; familiarity with data visualisation or research tools is a plus You should possess the following skill sets: Youth Empathy and Engagement: Able to relate to and connect with diverse youth mindsets; comfortable designing programmes or touchpoints that resonate with their needs and realities Research and Insight Development: Skilled in gathering, analysing and interpreting data to surface insights that shape programmes and strategies Stakeholder Engagement: Confident in engaging partners across public, private, and people sectors to co-create initiatives or amplify outreach Partnership Development: Capable of identifying, cultivating and sustaining strategic partnerships with youth-focused organisations, education institutions and community groups to co-develop initiatives that better support youths in their career exploration and transitions Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills to convey research findings and initiative proposals with clarity and influence Initiative and Adaptability: Self-motivated, adaptable and resourceful; able to navigate ambiguity and move ideas forward from concept to execution Project Management: Strong planning and coordination skills to manage pilots, studies, or outreach initiatives from start to finish Finance and Grants Management: Ability to manage programme budgets, oversee grant administration, and ensure compliance with funding and reporting requirements