Partnerships Manager

The challenge we’re solving:

In 2019, a group interested in driving innovation to support youth come together in a design process with young people across africa. Young people and africa say two key things:

1. Existing opportunities are fragmented. It’s difficult to know where to find opportunities and what opportunities will lead to meaningful progression.
2. There are not enough opportunities. Talent is distributed, but opportunities are not. Young people - especially marginalized - need more opportunities and equal access regardless of their situational circumstances.

Our contribution to the solution:

Yoma: a collaborative ecosystem approach for youth to learn, create impact and unlock livelihoods.

Yoma is a youth-centered ecosystem solution that enables youth to learn, create impact, and earn - by bringing together partners to support youth development. As an ecosystem solution, Yoma works with partners to create complementarity between the strengths and offerings of partner to build pathways for youth to build up the skills and experience necessary to unlock sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their communities. Underpinning the partners and the pathways is the integrating of a variety of scalable technology solutions, from social networking to learning and job platforms, all cohesively linked through a portable digital identity that verifies and connects skills and experiences gained across our expansive partner ecosystem.

The successful candidate will report into the Ecosystem Lead, Goodwall, to drive results for Yoma.

Goodwall (goodwall.io) is a mobile-first platform connecting Gen Z (16-26 year olds) to opportunity. We leverage technology and an ecosystem of purpose-driven partners to empower youth on their journey through the world of education & work to reach their full potential and make society better.

Goodwall has a mission to level the playing field for youth globally and through its social enterprise model it serves over 2 million youth from 150+ countries. We help those who don’t go to branded educational institutions showcase their talent, connect to a supportive community, access free skill building opportunities and connect to jobs, internships and scholarships.

Goodwall is disrupting how youth access opportunity and are assessed on their potential. Our innovative approach has had us selected most recently as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer Company in 2023, and recognition from various media including Fast Company, Forbes 30 under 30, CNN and others. Goodwall has become a strategic partner to Fortune 500s as well as governmental and IOGs such as the UN to make sure no youth is left behind.

Goodwall is a diverse multicultural team between Europe, Africa and Asia with operations in the US and LATAM. Goodwall is financially and strategically backed by leading investors. Goodwall has raised over $25M in funding from leading strategic and financial backers.

Why we need you?

To drive collaboration and increase the opportunities available to youth, and to increase youth’s activate engagement, Yoma is establishing a team that sits across partner organisations to deliver results for the shared programme. These teams will be called Yoma Hubs, in both South Africa and Nigeria. The team will be managed by a Yoma partner, Goodwall, and will work closely with many other partners including RLabs, UNICEF, SAP and GIZ to name a few. As Partnerships Manager you will be responsible for building, managing and maintaining partnerships that lead to greater opportunity for young people.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partnership Development: Identify and engage with potential partners, highlighting the benefits and growth opportunities within the Yoma Ecosystem for impactful collaborations.
• Partner Onboarding: Simplify the onboarding process, offering clear guidance and support for seamless integration into our programs and platforms.
• Collaborative Initiatives: Develop and implement joint initiatives with partners to align with Yoma's strategic goals, enhancing ecosystem value.
• Stakeholder Management: Act as the primary contact for partners, maintaining strong relationships and facilitating collaboration.
• Program Support and Adoption: Assist partners in adopting Yoma programs, providing necessary training and resources for effective engagement.
• Strategic Collaboration: Work with the Yoma team and partners to discover innovative strategies and joint opportunities that advance our mission.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor partnerships and program performance, using data to recommend improvements for impact and engagement.
• Market Insights and Adaptation: Analyze market trends to adapt partnership strategies, ensuring relevance and maximizing impact.
• Impact Storytelling: Share success stories from the ecosystem, showcasing the value of partnerships in advancing Yoma's mission.

Technology Integration Support: Guide partners on integrating technology and digital tools to enhance collaboration within the Yoma ecosystem.

Requirements

Your Profile:

A hands-on, organized professional who does not need layers above or below to deliver excellence with the following attributes:

• Experienced in Partnership Management: Strong background in managing and expanding partnerships within social impact or development sectors, with a knack for strategic growth.
• Skilled Communicator and Networker: Exceptional communication, negotiation, and networking abilities, capable of building and maintaining relationships across diverse groups.
• Strategic and Innovative: Creative thinker with a strategic approach, always seeking innovative ways to enhance collaboration and drive impact.
• Organized and Proactive: Able to juggle multiple projects and partnerships efficiently, maintaining focus on objectives and outcomes.
• Passionate about Youth Empowerment: Deeply committed to youth development, with insights into the challenges and opportunities in Africa.
• Team Player with a Collaborative Spirit: Works well in team environments, contributing to cross-functional efforts with a positive, collaborative mindset.
• Culturally Savvy: Understanding of local cultures, particularly within South Africa.
• Community-Focused: Genuine enthusiasm for community building and engagement, aiming to foster a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.

Ready to Travel: Open to traveling within Africa to connect with partners and communities, enriching the program's reach and effectiveness.

What we offer:

• A mission you can be proud of and a meaningful fulfilling opportunity and responsibility to really impact the future of the next generation.
• To leverage cutting edge technology and work alongside globally leading organisations to achieve outside impact.
• Autonomy to manage your time and efforts to achieve our goals.
• A challenging, fast-moving environment working with an international team where change is constant and creativity is celebrated.
• A position with the potential to evolve as you acquire new skills, grow, influence and take on new responsibilities.
• Competitive compensation and a flexible work environment with a great team.

Apply on LinkedIn or email your resume/CV to [email protected] with subject “Partnerships Manager”