Program Manager – State of Youth International

Vacancy: Program Manager – State of Youth International
📍Amsterdam | 🕓 32–40 hours per week | 📅 Starting date: As soon as possible |
📌 Deadline: July 13, 2025, or until the position is filled

Are you passionate about youth-led change? Do you want to help shape a global movement of young changemakers?

KidsRights is looking for a driven and entrepreneurial Program Manager to lead the next phase of our flagship initiative: State of Youth International. Join us in building a global platform that empowers youth to stand up for children’s rights worldwide.

About KidsRights and State of Youth

KidsRights, founded in 2003, is an international non-governmental organization that promotes the well-being of vulnerable children across the world and advocates for the realization of their rights. KidsRights has impactful and influential programs such as the International Children's Peace Prize, the KidsRights Index and State of Youth, all aimed at amplifying youth voices and empowering young changemakers.

Globally, there are many talented young people with promising initiatives. KidsRights believes that all children who want to work for better children's rights should be recognized and supported. With the right support and opportunities, these initiatives can have a big impact, no matter how small the initiative.

Our goal is to connect and support these young people around the world through our platform State of Youth. Through this platform, youth between 12 - 29 years of age get the opportunity to engage and act on themes related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) and guided by children’s right principles. They can make their voices heard to the world, get inspiration, attend trainings, share experiences, get connected. They can get support for their initiatives, promote them and join other actions. For youth, by youth! At the moment we have more than 400 chapters (youth initiatives) in almost 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.kidsrights.org or www.stateofyouth.org and our social media channels.

About the role

As Program Manager State of Youth International, you will oversee and accelerate the strategic expansion and impact of our international youth movement. You will lead the rollout of our revised strategy, drive visibility and community engagement, strengthen partnerships, and support a growing number of youth-led chapters worldwide.

This role offers a unique opportunity to pioneer and lead a high-impact, youth-focused program on a global scale.

Key responsibilities

Strategy & Growth

• Drive the implementation of the international State of Youth strategy.
• Ensure sustainable chapter growth in existing and new countries.
• Strengthen the global visibility of State of Youth and its changemakers.

Program Management & Impact

• Guide the further development of the program.
• Oversee the M&E framework and communication strategy.
• Guide the country representative structure and Youth Board.
• Build and manage strategic partnerships.
• Support fundraising and proposal development.

Community & Implementation

• Lead youth engagement and support changemakers through tools, training, and funding calls.
• Maintain clear communication and coordination with chapters.
• Oversee the development of the State of Youth digital platform.

Team Leadership

• Manage the international programme team and align with the other programs of KidsRights.

What you bring

• Higher education degree (HBO/WO), preferable a track record in building communities.
• 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven experience in youth engagement strategies and building international communities.
• Experience in engaging and coaching young people between the ages of 12 and 29 and guiding them to excel in their passions.
• Excellent communication and intercultural skills.
• Strong project management and M&E experience is a plus.
• Strategic thinker with a hands-on, flexible, and solution-oriented mindset.
• Good command of the English language and preferably also Dutch, Spanish or French language.
• An enterprising, out-of-the box thinker, with a hands-on mentality, proactive character, who works independently.

What we offer

• A meaningful and dynamic role in an international, impact-driven organization.
• A collaborative, passionate team based in the heart of Amsterdam.
• A one-year contract with the intention to extend.
• A salary in line with experience and NGO standards (€4,500 - €5,000 based on a 40-hour workweek), 8% holiday allowance, an attractive pension scheme, 25 vacation days, travel expense reimbursement, and a laptop.

As part of our Child Protection Policy, a Certificate of Good Conduct is required upon hiring.

Interested?

We look forward to receiving your application (CV and short motivation) at jobs@kidsrights.org mentioning Program Manager State of Youth International no later than July 13, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The first round of interviews will take place between July 1st and 18th.

Will you join us in building a world where youth are empowered to lead change?