About the Role
About CM Youth Center:
The Government of Meghalaya, in partnership with Sauramandala Foundation (www.sauramandala.org) and Project DEFY (www.projectdefy.org), has established 22 rural SDL (Self-directed learning) centres for youth, called the Chief Minister's Youth Center with an aim to build resilience, sustainability, and problem-solving skills in the next generation of the community. The youth centres are established to bridge the digital divide with the help of innovation and entrepreneurship skills by providing access to the Internet along with open learning opportunities. The main features of the centre are a Nook (SDL space), a Library/Arts and a Sports program. The learning is open to all ages to have more involvement from the community.
About the role:
The Manager - Community Engagement will be pivotal in cultivating strong relationships between the CMYC centres, local communities, and various stakeholders. This role will focus on building and sustaining meaningful partnerships with community leaders, educational institutions, local youth, NGOs, and government bodies, ensuring that the CMYC centres truly reflect and address the community’s needs. The Lead will work across multiple centres in Meghalaya, overseeing the design and implementation of community programs, organizing regular events, and driving adolescents and youth participation in Self-Designed Learning, Sports, Libraries and cultural activities. Moreover, the role involves supporting the young team at the centres (Field Level team), developing a cohesive community outreach and engagement strategies, ensuring that all programs are culturally relevant and impactful.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Program Development & Implementation
Community Program Design: Collaborate with Centre Level team and local stakeholders to design programs that are tailored to the community's needs, emphasizing skills development, innovation, and problem-solving.
Programs may include life skills workshops, health awareness sessions, sports events, and cultural activities.
Facilitation of Gatherings: Organize community circles, town hall/Durbar meetings, and focus groups that engage community members, gather feedback, and foster collaborative discussions about CMYC programs.
Ensure that these meetings are inclusive, providing a platform for diverse voices within the community, especially marginalized groups.
2. Monitoring Program Alignment
Ensure that the initiatives implemented across the CMYCs align with both Self-Directed Learning (SDL) principles and the specific needs of the community. Regularly assess how well programs meet goals related to youth development, entrepreneurship, and digital inclusion.
Youth Empowerment Programs: Lead the design of programs and implementation that empower adolescents and youth to take leadership roles within the CMYC spaces, encouraging them to lead community-driven problem-solving activities.
Innovative and Localized Solutions: Prioritise the development of locally relevant programs that integrate traditional knowledge and cultural practices into the broader learning framework. For example, involve local artisans, craftsmen, and elders in workshops on traditional arts, crafts, or storytelling.
Build initiatives based on the values of the respective communities to manifest stronger bonding & collective action
3. Community Engagement & Partner Collaborations
Outreach Strategy Development: Develop a comprehensive community outreach strategy that is responsive to the socio-cultural context of each Centre. This strategy should include initiatives for engaging parents, schools, community leaders, and local youth groups.
Partner Collaboration: Establish strong working relationships with a wide array of partners, including local NGOs, educational institutions, health centres, and government bodies. These partnerships should help deliver essential programs related to health, education, and entrepreneurship.
Engagement with Local Schools and NGOs: Collaborate with schools and youth-focused NGOs to enhance the synergy between formal education and SDL practices. Facilitate partnerships for co-hosting workshops or youth camps.
Community Mobilization Support: Work closely with youth facilitators and field staff to help them develop effective community mobilization techniques. Provide them with guidance and support as they implement village-level activities, outreach efforts, and youth-led projects.
4. Activity Coordination & Event Planning
Event Management: Plan and coordinate community events, youth festivals, sports tournaments, cultural showcases, and workshops across the CMYC centres. These events should promote social cohesion, teamwork, and a sense of belonging within the community.
Activity Calendar: Develop and maintain an annual calendar of community activities, campaigns, and programs, ensuring that all events are well-coordinated across the CMYC network. Align these activities with local festivals, school calendars, and farming schedules to ensure maximum participation.
Documentation and Communication: Work closely with the communications team to ensure that key learnings, community stories, and program highlights are documented and shared. This includes creating content that showcases the impact of the CMYC programs on the community.
5. Budget & Resource Management
Budget Oversight: Develop, manage, and monitor budgets for all community engagement activities. Ensure that resources are allocated effectively and utilized in a manner that maximizes program impact.
Efficient Resource Use: Ensure optimal utilization of both human and financial resources, making adjustments as necessary to accommodate evolving community needs. Keep track of program expenses and maintain accurate financial records for community-based activities.
Grant and Resource Mobilization: Work with the CMYC leadership team to identify opportunities for grant applications, resource mobilization, or partnerships that can provide additional funding or in-kind resources to support community-based initiatives.
6. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting
Program Evaluation: Design tools and methods to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of community engagement activities. Use surveys, focus group discussions, and participant feedback to gauge the impact of programs and identify areas for improvement.
Data Collection & Reporting: Ensure that all program-related data, including attendance, participation rates, and feedback, is collected accurately and reported to the leadership team. Prepare monthly reports that summarise key program outcomes, successes, and areas of concern.
Storytelling & Impact Sharing: Coordinate with the communications team to capture and share community stories, case studies, and testimonials from the field, highlighting the transformative impact of CMYC programs on the lives of adolescents and the community at large.
7. Capacity Building & Mentorship
Field Team Support: Provide mentorship to Community Fellows and other field teams, helping them build capacity in areas such as life skills facilitation, leadership development, and community mobilization.
Regularly conduct training sessions, and create opportunities for facilitators to share best practices and learn from each other.
Facilitating Peer Learning Circles: Organize monthly peer learning circles where Field level teams can share their experiences, discuss challenges, and exchange innovative ideas on community engagement and program implementation.
Empower Local Champions: Identify and cultivate local youth leaders who can take up roles in community development and youth outreach. Guide them in developing skills that allow them to mentor younger members, lead events, and manage programs.
Eligibility:
Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Communications, Media Studies, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or related field.
Minimum of 6 - 8 years of experience in communications, content management, strategy development, or media relations, preferably with non-profits or social impact organisations.
Ability to set up yearly strategies aligned with project goals and vision.
Strong project management and organisational skills to manage communication databases, content calendars, archives, and media contacts.
Ability to coordinate with content production teams to ensure timely production and publishing and assist sub-pages in content planning and design.
Experience in planning and executing campaigns, events, and managing event-related communications, including press releases, media kits, and guest management.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with internal teams and external partners, including setting brand guidelines and aligning with new partners.
Experience in copywriting for social media, website, media publishing, donor reports, and annual reports.
Knowledge of content trends and thematic areas relevant to the organisation’s focus.