Program Manager, Youth To Youth
- Job Type
- Full Time
- Job Level
- Manager
- Location
- Toronto, ON
- Impact Area
- Kids/youth
- Impact Category
- Nonprofit
- Company Type
- Nonprofit
About this position
JOB SUMMARY:
Right To Play's Youth To Youth (Y2Y) program uses the power of play to support young people living in priority neighbourhoods of Toronto to develop the skills and confidence needed to rise above adversity and become leaders in their own communities. Since 2010, Y2Y has partnered with local schools, community centres, and youth services to provide learning opportunities for youth to realize their potential, use their voice, and make their communities more inclusive and vibrant.
This job requires a dynamic, innovative and motivated individual who is familiar with and embraces an approach to leadership that is shared and collaborative. As part of a team of four Program Managers, collectively responsible for supporting and managing all of Right To Play’s Canadian Programs, the position requires on-going communication, collaboration and joint decision-making with the Program Management team.
The Program Manager provides leadership and direction on program design, implementation and resource development; liaises with funding and implementing partners; coordinates trainings to facilitate learning opportunities for program staff, and creates tools and offers guidance to build a program that is relevant to children and youth in Toronto’s priority neighbourhoods. This position requires frequent travel to program sites throughout Toronto. For more on the Y2Y Program please visit us at: https://www.righttoplay.ca/en-ca/national-offices/national-office-canada/get-involved/youth-to-youth/
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Job Responsibility #1: Provide On-going Guidance and Supervision to Program Staff (30% of time):
- Hosts regular supervisory meetings with Y2Y program staff to ensure their goals are being met and they are receiving the support and feedback they require
- Completes annual performance appraisals and supports the regular professional development and self-care of Y2Y program staff
- Applies creative and consensus-based conflict management practices when working with staff and community partners
- Visits program partners on a regular basis to offer on-the-job coaching and support to program staff and/or program mentors (teachers, youth workers)
- Troubleshoots program and human resource issues as they arise.
- Supports the Partnerships Manager and Development Manager in identifying potential donors, writing, reviewing and revising grant applications, and celebrating donors on an on-going basis
- Works directly with Provincial and National implementing partners to ensure that each new and existing partnership helps to enhance existing programs and support an identified need in each urban setting
- Establishes a clear roadmap for each implementing, including drafting roles and responsibilities, MoU’s, training and travel plans, and the coordination between implementing partners and host communities
- Works with key partners to review existing program tools and to design and disseminate tools that will help enhance the quality of programs and the assessment of programs
- With the support of program staff, ensures the completion of all required administration documentation from each program partner
- Creates hands-on, activity-based training programs to enhance the skills of program staff
- Works closely with the Director, Program Development and Capacity Building, Y2Y program staff, and the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager to create tools and resources that will enhance the quality of program design and delivery
- Works in collaboration with key program partners (i.e. ETFO, TDSB) to design Y2Y teacher trainings and program support resources to ensure effective program delivery at the school/community level
- Works with program staff to ensure that training workshops are effective, participatory and planned well in advance
- Works with program staff and partners to plan, facilitate and assess one Y2Y Leadership Symposium each program year
- Works with the Program Director and Director of Canada Programs to inform and set strategic direction for the program over the next 5 years
- Reviews and refines current program operations to best utilize existing resources and create innovative solutions to support development and growth
- Designs, implements and manages processes that support program planning, development, delivery and direction and works toward achieving objectives in each area
- Ensures that all monitoring and assessment tools are used and reported on regularly
- Supports Y2Y program staff and program mentors in implementing the required monitoring and evaluation tools, and ensures the collection of completed tools in a timely fashion
- Works with the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager to ensure that assessment tools are user-friendly, contextually appropriate and effective at assessing the outcomes and impacts as outlined in the program logic model
- Works with Y2Y program staff to design/revise regular reporting tools for teachers and youth leaders to use to share insights and feedback on their programs
- Understands Right To Play financial policies and procedures
- Works with Y2Y program staff to monitor program expenditures against projected spending
- Supports program staff to maintain a standard of excellence for financial management and financial reporting for the program
- Works with the Program Director and the Finance Manager to plan annual budget expenses and monitor quarterly progress
- Works with the Finance team to generate financial reports for donors
- University degree or equivalent in any of the following areas; business management, sociology, outdoor recreation and education, education, community development and/or political science
- 3+ years experience in program management and supervising staff
- 2-3 years experience in budget management, planning and reporting
- 5+ years’ experience working with schools and other educational institutions in Ontario
- Experience in designing and facilitating leadership and or youth-related training sessions for large groups of 15 or more
- Experience with monitoring and evaluation of community development projects and programs
- An understanding of humanitarian, development, and gender issues particular to inner-city communities of Toronto
- A collaborative and shared leadership approach
- Ability to provide supervision and guidance using mentoring and coaching practices
- Able to advocate in a well-informed manner with regard to experiences of children and youth
- Highly motivated and committed to program success
- Strong attention to details when planning
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Good teamwork ethics, and also capable of working independently
- Able to work under pressure
- Accurate and timely reporting
- Attention to detail in planning large events
- Budget management
- Personnel management – must be confident in the supervision of 30+ staff
- Analytical and written skills including research and the writing of proposals and reports
- Knowledge of Microsoft programs
- Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation practices
- Coaching and mentoring skills
- Strong planning and coordination skills
- Decision-making skills
- Fluency in oral and written English required
- Completed courses/training that provided knowledge in designing and implementing leadership and play-based programs for marginalized children and youth
- Trained in how to effectively facilitate workshop sessions for young people aged 10-30 years old
- Experience designing and delivering training workshops to teachers and other educators
- Experience in working with and in inner-city communities of Toronto particularly in the area of community development and/or youth-based programming
- Sound knowledge of and respect for Toronto’s diversity and issues of equity.
Contract Duration: Full-Time
Compensation: We offer a competitive salary and benefits package including Group RRSP Plan with 3% matching contributions, gym membership, flexible work policy (e.g. work from home and flex hours) and summer/winter hours.
About us
Right To Play's mission is to protect, educate and empower children to rise above adversity using the power of play.
Play keeps children in school and out of work. It helps them overcome challenges that could rob them of their dignity, their promise and put them at risk. Play teaches them how to prevent disease and resolve conflicts, and gives them the confidence to dismantle barriers and create opportunities where often there were none.
Our Impact
WE PLAY FOR CHANGE
Right To Play is harnessing one of the most powerful and fundamental forces in every child’s life, the power of play. Our programs protect, educate, and empower children to heal from the harsh realities of war and abuse, to change their behavior and protect themselves from disease, to go to school, graduate and create a better future.
We use the power of play to keep girls safe from violence, to give them a voice and to take the lead. We empower them to say no to unwanted sex and understand how HIV is spread.
We play for change in 5 key areas: quality education, child protection, peaceful communities, gender equality and health and well-being.
Results
We bring the power of play to 15 countries, each with their own set of challenges for children.
In these countries, we empower girls to resist early marriage and to continue their education. We teach children how to protect themselves from diseases like HIV and malaria. We help child laborers return to school. And we inspire refugee youth living in dire camp conditions to heal and succeed.
Protect. Educate. Inspire.
It's what we do for 1.9 million children each week through our programs around the world:
50% are girls
67% of our teachers and coaches are female
We work in 52 refugee camps in Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon, the Palestinian Territories, Thailand and Uganda
We operate in 2,630 schools, with the help of 32,000 teachers and coaches and 14,000 Junior Leaders, using 1,200 play based learning games and activities.
Ways to give back at work
Working at Right To Play, you feel the direct impact of your work whether you are on the Communications team or our Programs team. Many of our staff travel around the world and witness the power of play first hand.
Our staff also organize events and fundraisers for other causes like Pride Month and Mental Health Awareness.
What it’s Like to Work Here
At Right To Play, you're part of an organization making a positive, lasting impact. That's why our staff is passionate and dedicated to our cause. Whether you’re supporting our programs at our International Headquarters, hosting awareness and fundraising events in our national offices, or working with youth in our local communities, you have the benefit of knowing everything you do is making a difference in the lives of more than one million children around the world through play.
We are a hardworking group of passionate and playful people. The culture is entrepreneurial and employees are encouraged to find unique solutions to problems. Working here you have to be comfortable with a fast paced environment where things can change on the fly.
Right To Play is a fairly lean NGO with 100 employees in the HQ - it’s a place where everyone knows and supports each other. There’s lots of collaboration between teams - from Finance and Fundraising, to Communications and International Programs. We work together as a team.
Our head office is located in downtown Toronto, steps from the subway and great lunch spots. Right To Play employees enjoy extra perks such as:
Summer Fridays: Half day Fridays from Canada Day - Labour Day
Winter Fridays: One afternoon off per month in the Winter for mental health :)
Complementary gym membership with GoodLife Fitness
An active Fun Committee that organizes events and activities all year long
What We Look For When Hiring
As an international, multi-cultural organization, we’re always looking for people who can bring new perspectives and life experiences to our team. If you’re looking for a place that values your curiosity, passion, and desire to learn and make a difference, Right To Play is a good place for you.
Application instructions
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