Youth Years Leader (Europe)

Job Posting Organization:
Ashoka is a global organization founded in 1980, dedicated to social entrepreneurship and changemaking. With over 40 years of experience, Ashoka has built a network of more than 4,000 social entrepreneurs (Fellows) across 90 countries. The organization aims to create a world where everyone is a changemaker, emphasizing the importance of changemaking skills as essential for living and working in a rapidly changing world. Ashoka operates with a mission to ensure that every individual has the opportunity to master these skills from childhood, recognizing their necessity in today's society. The organization has evolved from its initial focus on supporting individual social entrepreneurs to fostering a broader movement that encourages influential organizations to embed changemaking into their core strategies. Ashoka's leadership positions in Europe are crucial for driving this vision forward and building partnerships that prioritize changemaking in education and beyond.

Job Overview:
The Youth Years Leader (Europe) will spearhead Ashoka's initiatives to reform educational institutions across Europe, ensuring that young people master essential changemaking skills. This role involves creating strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including ministries of education, public school systems, teacher unions, and educational publishers. The leader will work to influence education systems and youth-focused media to prioritize changemaking in curricula and teaching materials. The position requires a visionary leader who can mobilize resources and engage with young changemakers to co-create innovative educational models. Success in this role will be measured by the establishment of partnerships and the quantifiable impact on the education system, specifically the percentage of students identifying as changemakers and the definition of success by school leaders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement strategies to create partnerships with influential organizations in the education sector.
• Collaborate with ministries of education and other stakeholders to integrate changemaking into educational policies and practices.
• Engage with young changemakers to support their initiatives and empower them as leaders in their communities.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of educational reforms on the development of changemaking skills among students.
• Facilitate workshops and training sessions for educators and school leaders on the importance of changemaking in education.
• Advocate for the inclusion of changemaking in curricula and teaching materials across Europe.
• Report on progress and outcomes to Ashoka's leadership and stakeholders.
• Foster a collaborative environment among partners to share best practices and resources for promoting changemaking.

Required Qualifications:

• Proven leadership experience in education, social entrepreneurship, or related fields.
• Strong understanding of the education system and the challenges faced by young people in Europe.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Experience in building and maintaining partnerships with organizations and institutions.
• Passion for changemaking and a commitment to empowering young people.

Educational Background:
A bachelor's degree in education, social sciences, international relations, or a related field is required. A master's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant area is preferred. Additional training or certifications in leadership, social entrepreneurship, or educational reform will be advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5-7 years of relevant experience in leadership roles, particularly in education or social impact sectors. Experience working with young people and understanding their needs and aspirations is essential. Familiarity with European educational policies and systems is a plus.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory. Proficiency in additional European languages is highly desirable, as it will facilitate communication with diverse stakeholders across the continent.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position with a competitive salary range of £103,685 - £110,000, depending on skills and experience. The role includes a discretionary annual performance-based bonus and various benefits such as 25 annual leave days, flexible working arrangements, occupational maternity and paternity pay, and professional development opportunities. Ashoka is committed to diversity and inclusion, and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.