Programs Lead

About JAY4T

Jabulani Youths for Transformation (JAY4T) is a youth-led organization creating pathways from potential to livelihood. Through our programs and employment-focused social enterprises, we empower young people with skills, opportunities, networks, and practical experience to improve their lives and communities.

We are seeking a dynamic and entrepreneurial Programs Lead to drive both our programmatic impact and social enterprise growth.

Role Overview

The Programs Lead is responsible for ensuring JAY4T delivers meaningful outcomes for youth while building sustainable opportunities through our social enterprises.

This role combines program leadership, community engagement, innovation, and venture development. You will oversee JAY4T’s core programs, support youth leadership and participation, and help grow initiatives such as LigiOpen, Sote Tule , KaaKazini, and future ventures.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys turning ideas into action and building systems that create real opportunities for young people.

Key Responsibilities

Programs & Community Development

• Lead the planning, implementation, and improvement of JAY4T programs.
• Oversee the Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), and other youth development activities.
• Ensure programs achieve measurable outcomes in employability, entrepreneurship, and community participation.
• Foster meaningful engagement with youth, volunteers, fellows, and community stakeholders.
• Support youth leadership, co-creation, and ownership of initiatives.
• Develop partnerships that strengthen program delivery and impact.

Social Enterprises & Innovation

• Coordinate the growth and development of JAY4T’s employment social enterprises.
• Support venture leads to achieve targets and improve sustainability.
• Identify new opportunities for earned income, innovation, and enterprise development.
• Test and validate new ideas, products, and services that align with JAY4T’s mission.
• Build systems that enable ventures to operate efficiently and scale sustainably.
• Promote a culture of experimentation, learning, and continuous improvement.

Monitoring, Learning & Growth

• Track program and enterprise performance indicators.
• Gather stories, insights, and evidence of impact.
• Use data and feedback to improve programs and ventures.
• Contribute to reports, proposals, and organisational learning processes.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Coordinate program staff, venture leads, fellows, volunteers, and consultants.
• Ensure effective planning, communication, and accountability across initiatives.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and other leads to achieve organisational goals.

Who We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about youth empowerment and community-led development.
• Entrepreneurial and comfortable building new initiatives.
• A strong project manager who can move ideas into execution.
• Skilled at building relationships and mobilizing people.
• Comfortable working across programs, enterprises, and partnerships.
• Resourceful, adaptable, and solutions-oriented.
• Excited to work in a lean, fast-growing organization.

Qualifications & Experience

• Background in Community Development, Business, Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Social Innovation, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience leading programs, projects, enterprises, or community initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders.
• Experience working with youth, entrepreneurs, community groups, or social enterprises.
• Strong planning, facilitation, and communication skills.
• Experience with monitoring and evaluation is an added advantage.

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunity to shape the future of a growing youth-led organization.
• Direct involvement in creating jobs, enterprises, and opportunities for young people.
• Leadership experience across programs, innovation, and enterprise development.
• A collaborative and purpose-driven work environment.
• Significant room for growth and increased responsibility.

How to Apply

Please submit:

• Your CV
• A cover letter (maximum 1 page) explaining why you are a strong fit for this role
• Examples of projects, ventures, programs, or initiatives you have led (optional)

Application Deadline: July 17, 2026

Note

We are particularly interested in candidates who are builders, people who enjoy creating, improving, and growing initiatives that generate meaningful opportunities for youth and communities.