About the Organization

The Youth Network for Sustainable Development (YNSD) is a pioneer in the landscape of Ethiopian non-governmental organizations, established in 2003 through the visionary collaboration of four school clubs and fifteen youth associations. Over the past two decades, YNSD has evolved into a massive umbrella network that currently represents more than 1,000 youth-focused organizations and associations at the national level. Our mission is to foster sustainable development by promoting strategic partnerships, enhancing networking capabilities, and building the internal capacity of our member organizations to ensure they remain effective agents of change.

Our vision is to see the youth of Ethiopia holistically empowered and meaningfully engaged in every facet of the country’s all-rounded and sustainable development. We operate on the foundational belief that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the primary drivers of progress today. By providing platforms for engagement and resources for growth, we bridge the gap between youthful potential and tangible societal impact, ensuring that the voices of the next generation are heard in policy-making and community development alike.

The organization has successfully spearheaded a diverse array of programs, ranging from sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS awareness to information communication technology, environmental sustainability, and WASH initiatives. Our current flagship endeavor is a robust five-year program (2023–2027) implemented in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and JHU-CCP. This "Community Service as a Pathway to Work" (CSPW) program is a testament to our organizational legacy, aiming to reach half a million youth across six regions of Ethiopia.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just buzzwords at YNSD; they are the core values that dictate how we recruit and how we operate. We recognize that a diverse workforce brings a wealth of perspectives that are essential for solving complex social challenges. We strive to maintain a workplace culture where every individual, regardless of their background, feels a deep sense of belonging and is provided with the tools necessary to excel in their professional journey.

YNSD is deeply committed to gender equality and the inclusion of marginalized voices. We explicitly encourage women, persons with disabilities, and individuals from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups to apply for these positions. We believe that empowering these groups is central to our mission of holistic national development, and we actively seek to build a team that reflects the vibrant diversity of the communities we serve.

Job Description and Strategic Impact

The roles currently available at the Dessie Cluster level are of paramount strategic importance to the success of the CSPW program. These positions serve as the operational heartbeat of our mission to transition 200,000 young Ethiopians into dignified and fulfilling work. By joining our team, you are not just taking a job; you are becoming a strategic architect of economic opportunity in the Dessie region, directly influencing the trajectory of hundreds of thousands of lives.

A day in the life at YNSD involves high-stakes collaboration and community-level engagement. Whether you are managing complex data sets, mobilizing youth for community service, or fostering partnerships with local government and private sectors, your work has an immediate ripple effect. You will be part of a dynamic environment where initiative is rewarded and where your daily tasks contribute to a larger narrative of national empowerment and economic resilience.

We view our employees as long-term partners in development. Therefore, we place a heavy emphasis on professional growth and career development. Working with YNSD provides exposure to international standards of project management, donor relations, and monitoring and evaluation. We offer a platform where you can sharpen your leadership skills, expand your professional network, and gain specialized experience in youth-centric development that is highly valued globally.

The strategic impact of these roles extends beyond internal program targets; it is about building a sustainable model for youth employment that can be replicated across the continent. Your contributions will help refine our approach to community service as a viable bridge to the labor market. As the program enters its middle years, your role will be instrumental in capturing lessons learned and scaling successful interventions to meet the 2027 program goals.

Ultimately, the impact of your work will be measured by the success of the youth we serve. When a young person in Dessie transitions from a voluntary community service role into a permanent job or a successful micro-enterprise, it is a direct result of the coordination and support provided by our cluster team. This role offers the profound satisfaction of seeing your professional expertise translate into real-world prosperity for the next generation.

Job Positions and Requirements

1. Data Entry Operator

Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in statistics, Information technology, mathematics, or computer science or other related fields.

Work Experience: Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in data entry, compilation, and familiarity with analytical tools.

Job Location: Dessie

Salary: Per Scale

No. Required: 1

2. Community Engagement and Youth Mobilization Officer

Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, International Development, Development Studies, or other related fields.

Work Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in youth development, community engagement, or similar programs.

Job Location: Dessie

Salary: Per Scale

No. Required: 1

3. Cluster Manager

Educational Qualification: Master’s degree in program/project management, International Development, Economics, Social Work, Development Studies, or other related fields.

Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience in program management, coordination, or development projects.

Job Location: Dessie

Salary: Per Scale

No. Required: 1

4. Business Development Services and Work Placement Officer

Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economics, Development Studies, Entrepreneurship, or related fields.

Work Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience in youth employment, workforce development, and business development services.

Job Location: Dessie

Salary: Per Scale

No. Required: 1

5. Capacity Building Officer

Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, International Development, Development Studies, or other related fields.

Work Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in capacity building, training, or community development programs.

Job Location: Dessie

Salary: Per Scale

No. Required: 1

Employment Type and Compensation

The positions offered are full-time roles within the framework of a stable, multi-year program funded by the Mastercard Foundation. While initial contracts are often based on the program's annual cycles, the CSPW initiative is scheduled to run through 2027, providing a predictable and secure environment for dedicated professionals. This stability allows our team members to focus on long-term project outcomes and personal career trajectories without the uncertainty often found in shorter-term project roles.

Our compensation package is designed to be competitive and growth-oriented, reflecting the high level of expertise and dedication we require. We believe in rewarding excellence and provide a salary structure that is commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and professional experience. Beyond the base salary, employees benefit from being part of a prestigious national network, gaining access to specialized training sessions, and working in a resource-rich environment that supports high-level performance.

How to Apply

In alignment with our modern recruitment practices, YNSD does not require candidates to submit scanned copies of educational certificates, recommendation letters, or other supporting attachments during the initial application phase. We aim to make the first step of your journey with us as seamless as possible, focusing primarily on your professional narrative and qualifications as presented in your CV and application letter.

Please be advised that original documents and academic credentials will only be required for physical verification during the formal interview stage. Candidates who are invited for an interview will be expected to present these originals at that time to confirm the details provided in their initial application. This approach ensures a secure and verified hiring process while respecting the time of our applicants during the preliminary screening.

Due to the high volume of applications we typically receive, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by our HR department. If you are selected to move forward, you will be notified via email or phone regarding the next steps in the assessment process. We appreciate the effort every applicant puts into their submission and thank you for your interest in joining the YNSD family.

Following the application deadline, our recruitment committee will conduct a thorough review of all submissions. The shortlisting process typically takes between one to two weeks, after which selected candidates will be scheduled for interviews. We are committed to a transparent and timely recruitment cycle to ensure our cluster office in Dessie is fully staffed and ready to meet its community objectives.

Interested candidates should submit their application letter and an updated CV combined into a single PDF document via email as the primary channel for this recruitment. Ensure that your CV includes the contact details of at least three professional references who can speak to your qualifications and character.

Application Deadline

April 19th, 2026

Official Application Link / Contact

ynsdhr2025@gmail.com