Program Coordinator for European Youth Encounters (m/f/d)

Schüler*innen Helfen Leben (SHL) is the largest youth-led aid organisation in Germany with decades of experience working in (post-)conflict regions. It promotes and runs youth projects focussing on education, democracy and engagement. Once a year, SHL organises the Solidarity Action Day in Germany. On this day, around 60,000 pupils swap their classroom for a job and donate their wages to support sustainable projects in Southeast Europe and in the context of the Syrian conflict and the Russian war against Ukraine. In Lübeck we organise an extensive European youth exchange and encounter programme. This is primarily funded by Possehl Foundation. We also support youth initiatives across Europe in organising their own Solidarity Action Day. 

To support our team in the Lübeck office, we are looking for a committed colleague to join us immediately as Program Coordinator for European Youth Encounters. The position has a scope of 40 hours per week (part-time is possible with a minimum of 32 hours per week) and is initially limited until the end of 2025. An extension is desired. 

The position designs and implements various European exchange and encounter formats for young people in close collaboration with the European umbrella organization SAME and various freelance professionals. In addition to the organizational and content planning and execution of youth encounters, the role also involves continuous coordination of activities with stakeholders and member organizations within the European SAME network, as well as the acquisition of additional external funding for the implementation of events. 

Key responsibilities: 

• Conceptualizing and implementing exchange and encounter formats, including an annual youth congress with 200 participants, various seminars, workshops, and summer camps, along with potential development of new projects. 
• Coordinating freelance staff for the execution of events. 
• Taking responsibility for and developing measures for participant selection, communication, and support. 
• Managing and developing a pool of trainers and conducting statistical evaluations. 
• Conceptualizing and implementing quality assurance measures (monitoring, evaluation, learning), including reporting to funders. 
• Ensuring event implementation through additional fundraising and grant applications, including managing funding and reporting. 
• Mentoring and supporting engaged youth who wish to participate actively in the network beyond events. 
• Implementing relevant training seminars and providing support to youth organizations. 
• Supporting young people in Lübeck in democratic initiatives and local networking to strengthen youth participation. 
• Guiding European volunteers who are part of the team in the Lübeck office. 

Profile: 

• Enthusiasm for working in NGOs and with young, volunteer-based, international structures, including international volunteers as an integral part of the on-site team. 
• Experience in youth encounters/exchanges and/or (international) networking work; for example, in the conceptual, and methodological planning and implementation of youth encounter formats. 
• Experience in planning and executing events, with ideally some knowledge in public relations and social media being desirable. 
• Experience in the context of (international) youth education is desirable, preferably in organizing, leading, and moderating seminars. 
• Interest in European political topics and strengthening civil society. 
• Independent and structured work style with efficient time management. 
• Experience and knowledge in project management. 
• Affinity for working with engaged youth and promoting self-responsible youth engagement. 
• Teamwork and intercultural sensitivity. 
• Willingness to travel occasionally within Germany and across Europe. 
• Excellent German and English language skills, with additional European language skills being an advantage. 

Our offer: 

• a discerning job in a meaningful environment, with a relevant amount of conceptual work 
• an exciting, international sphere of action 
• a young, dynamic working environment and a motivated and committed team 
• personal responsibility and room for creativity 
• flexible working hours and mobile working 
• appropriate and transparent remuneration 
• internal and external further education 

Please send a short application with CV, application letter, salary expectations and a possible starting date in one pdf file to bewerbung@schueler-helfen-leben.de by 27 October 2024. If you have any questions, please contact Julien Kiehne at Julien.kiehne@schueler-helfen-leben.de or by telephone during regular office hours on +49 451 317060-42. Further information on Schüler*innen Helfen Leben at www.schueler-helfen-leben.de and on the SAME network at www.same-network.org.