Child, Adolescent, and Youth Engagement Technical Advisor

About SEED: SEED is a women-led, local NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, dedicated to creating a thriving society by advancing social protection and human development. We support individuals, empower communities, and strengthen systems to drive lasting change and equal opportunity. With a focus on collaboration, we promote gender equality, protect children, combat human trafficking, and improve mental health and well-being. SEED’s holistic, locally-driven approach integrates transformational services, community development, training and education, and advocacy to create sustainable impact. SEED is committed to creating a just, equitable society where everyone's rights are protected, with healthy families and strong communities, and a future where everyone can thrive.

Role of the Child, Adolescent, and Youth Engagement Technical Advisor:

The technical advisor is responsible for the technical leadership, strategic direction, and operationalization of the community-based psychosocial support and community-based initiatives within their pillar. S/he actively drives the pillar’s progress by aligning strategy and objectives with community-specific needs. Working with program and project managers across SEED, they apply their thematic expertise to lead intervention design and planning, and support implementation of group and community activities. They ensure that all psychosocial support and community development activities are technically sound, culturally appropriate, and effectively designed to meet SEED’s strategic goal of engaging and empowering communities. 

Core functions include creating or updating curricula and materials for community and group-based activities; training and equipping staff to deliver the curricula, and providing ongoing technical support to staff; creating robust MEAL systems to review impact and community feedback; and supporting program teams to implement the engagements. 

This position will lead the Child, Adolescent, and Youth Engagement thematic pillar which supports children, adolescents, and youth to grow in safe and protected environments, allowing them to build their skills and identity, and actively participate as resilient, engaged contributors to their families and communities. It promotes healthy development and empowerment through structured life skills education, youth-led community action, civic engagement, and leadership development, integrating arts and sports to facilitate positive transitions to adulthood. 

Specific Tasks:

Technical Leadership, Program Planning and Design, and Innovation (40%)

• Serve as the technical authority for the thematic pillar, providing technical and programmatic leadership for the design and implementation of all associated curricula and implementation standards.
• Translate SEED’s broad strategic goals and objectives into actionable interventions and engagements.
• Serve as the primary technical advisor for cross-unit initiatives for this pillar integrating best practices into all organizational programs and strategies.
• Lead the creation of SOPs, policies, and guidance documents regarding PSS implementation, community engagement, and accountability standards for this pillar.
• Collaborate closely with other technical advisors to synchronize strategies, share best practices, and co-design technical tools that drive the unit’s objectives.
• Work closely with program managers to bridge the gap between technical design and operational feasibility/implementation.
• Regularly assess the product portfolio to identify opportunities for new implementations or expansion into new geographic areas.
• Lead the design and development of new tools, curricula, facilitator manuals, and programmatic materials tailored to community needs, ensuring child-friendly, age-appropriate, and trauma-informed approaches are maintained across all pertinent interventions
• Ensure all technical products are culturally sensitive, contextually relevant, and consistent with SEED’s strategic objective.
• Provide data-driven basis for program planning and design through technical reports and briefs that reflect the progress and challenges of the thematic pillar.

Capacity Building and Technical Supervision (30%)

• In close collaboration with other Technical Advisors, as well as pertinent colleagues from external departments, lead on ensuring PSS Staff Onboarding Package is updated, relevant and fit for purpose.
• Coordinate with the PSS & Community Development Unit to ensure all PSS Staff (coordinators, facilitators, mobilisers and other staff as requested) have been properly onboarded, and refresher support is provided as required.
• Provide technical advice to support program development and implementation to ensure maximum impact and consistency to program/project managers and Program Development and Management Unit.
• Lead or support (as appropriate) the development and revision of PSS Curricula, including the creation of all materials, facilitator manuals and training materials  
• Ensure PSS Staff are fully trained and equipped to deliver SEED’s thematic curricula with high quality, through direct provision of training, Training of Trainers, and support to dedicated trainers as appropriate. 
• Contribute to the development / refinement of tools and guidance for coaching and technical supervision to PSS Staff.
• Provide / support in the provision of regular technical supervision and coaching, to maintain staff well-being, high-quality session delivery and consistency across the pillar to support PSS Staff in the field.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (20%)

• Support in the review and revision of SEED Standard Indicators aligned with this pillar, including articulating and defining indicators, and identifying / developing appropriate means of verification for their measurement, and support as necessary in results analysis
• Collaborate closely with MEAL to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments and ensure all findings directly shape program planning and design.
• Contribute to / lead on (as appropriate) the design and implementation of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks and data collection tools to rigorously track the progress, outcomes, and long-term impact of the pillar’s interventions.
• Ensure all pillar activities are systematically monitored, documented, evaluated, and reported to maintain high standards for data integrity and technical accountability, ensuring accountability to affected populations / program participants at all stages.
• Support the synthesis and analysis of insights with PSS Staff to refine programs and strengthen future programs
• Monitor the effectiveness of training materials in partnership with MEAL using field observations and PSS team facilitation experiences to continuously improve technical resources.
• Lead regular technical learning sessions to disseminate compiled results and synthesized data from pillar-level activities to the wider team contributing to organizational knowledge.
• Maintain learning and feedback mechanisms to continuously refine technical products based on real-time field data, community shifts, and changes in internationally recognized minimum standards.
• Support the safe and meaningful participation of children, adolescents, and youth program participants at all stages of the program cycle.

Communication, Coordination and Representation (10%)

• Produce high-quality reports, policy briefs, presentations, and multimedia content focused on SEED’s work with a specific emphasis on both pillar and community development  initiatives.
• Support the development of programmatic materials tailored for diverse stakeholders to raise awareness and promote SEED’s mission.
• Write and review articles, social media posts, and website content to ensure technical accuracy and alignment with SEED’s strategic goals.
• Provide technical input for all promotional materials and ensure all public-facing content adheres to SEED’s Storytelling Policy.
• Represent SEED in relevant forums, conferences, and working groups; share insights on interventions and approaches to advocate for the organization’s goals with key stakeholders.

Education and Experience

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Developmental Psychology, Social Work, or Public Health, or a related social science field with at least 5 years of progressive experience in technical leadership or advisory roles.
• Highly Preferred: Master’s degree in a relevant field with at least 3 years of experience in a technical leadership capacity.
• Proven experience in the humanitarian or development sector, with a specific technical focus on youth-centered and/or child protection programming.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic program design and providing technical supervision to multi-disciplinary teams.
• A proven track record of building staff capacity through the design and delivery of training, coaching, and mentorship.
• Proven track record of supporting and partnering with government and non-government agencies, with the ability to communicate effectively on sensitive topics.

Technical Expertise

• Deep technical knowledge of child and adolescent development, child protection, youth leadership, social norm change, and rights-based programming.
• Expert-level experience in curriculum development and creating culturally sensitive tools (SOPs, guidance notes, and training manuals).
• Strong background in psychosocial support and community development; experience in social cohesion and social and behavioral change initiatives is an asset.
• Proficiency in designing MEAL frameworks, conducting needs assessments, and utilizing data to refine technical interventions.

Context and Skills

• Experience working in humanitarian and/or development settings is a must.
• Specific experience in the Middle East, particularly Iraq or the Kurdistan Region, is a significant asset.
• Exceptional written and verbal English skills are required; proficiency in Kurdish (Sorani) and/or Arabic is highly desirable.
• Organizational skills and advanced proficiency in Google Workspace and other digital tools.
• Deep commitment to SEED’s mission, values, and ethical standards, including a strong understanding of “Do No Harm” principles.
• Demonstrated commitment to gender equality and inclusive programming.

• Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and resume via this LINK.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Safeguarding Statement 

SEED staff are expected to perform job duties and responsibilities professionally, respecting SEED’s Code of Conduct and Policies. SEED is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members as part of our commitment to a safe and harmonious work environment.