Terms of Reference (ToR)
Position: Executive Director
Organization: Rising Youth Mentorship Initiative (RYMI)
Duty Station: Montserrado County, Liberia
Reporting Line: RYMI Board of Directors
Contract Type: Full-time
Application Deadline: [February 13, 2026]

1. About RYMI
Rising Youth Mentorship Initiative (RYMI) is a young women-led initiative with a mission to
empower adolescents, girls, and young women to thrive, lead, and shape decisions that
affect their lives. RYMI began as a community response in 2013 to the alarming rate of
teenage pregnancy in Zoeglor, Paynesville, Liberia. At inception, RYMI operated as a girls’
club, creating a safe, supportive space for in-school and out-of-school girls to learn,
connect, and build the knowledge and confidence needed to prevent teenage pregnancy. In
2014, RYMI transitioned into a nonprofit, community-based organization with a growing
focus on girls’ leadership, mentorship, and empowerment. Through girl-centered
programming, RYMI strengthens the voices, skills, and leadership capacities of young
people while addressing issues that shape wellbeing, safety, and development, including
SRHR, education, protection from SGBV, and community engagement.

2. Purpose of the Role
The Executive Director (ED) provides overall leadership to advance RYMI’s mission and to
ensure high-quality, safe, and accountable delivery of RYMI’s programs. The ED will lead the
implementation of RYMI’s Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2030) and manage the day-to-day
operations of the organization. Working closely with the Board of Directors, staff,
communities, partners, and donors, the ED will strengthen organizational coherence,
program excellence, partnerships, systems, visibility, and sustainability, while upholding
RYMI’s feminist, mentorship-driven, and girl-centered approach.

3. Key Responsibilities
A. Strategic Leadership, Governance & Accountability
▪ Provide overall strategic and operational leadership in line with RYMI’s mission,
values, and 2025–2030 Strategic Plan.
▪ Translate strategic priorities into annual plans, budgets, and performance targets.
▪ Serve as the primary liaison between the Board and staff, supporting effective
governance and decision-making.
▪ Provide regular updates to the Board on program performance, finances, risks,
and partnerships.
▪ Uphold ethical leadership, transparency, and organizational accountability.
B. Program Oversight, Quality & Safeguarding
▪ Ensure RYMI’s programs are responsive, inclusive, safe, and aligned with the
needs of adolescent girls and young women.
▪ Oversee implementation of RYMI’s core program areas, including SRHR,
education, girls’ leadership and mentorship, community engagement, and SGBV
prevention.
▪ Provide direct oversight of current multi-year projects, ensuring timely delivery,
quality reporting, donor compliance, and effective partner coordination.
▪ Ensure strong safeguarding systems, including child protection and PSEA, with
clear reporting and accountability mechanisms.
▪ Strengthen MEAL practices to support learning, adaptation, and impact
measurement.
C. Partnerships, Advocacy & External Engagement
▪ Build and maintain strong relationships with communities, service providers,
government institutions, donors, and women- and youth-led organizations.
▪ Support advocacy and public engagement efforts that advance the rights, safety,
and leadership of adolescent girls and young women.
▪ Represent RYMI in relevant national and international platforms.
D. Resource Mobilization, Sustainability & Visibility
▪ Lead and support fundraising and partnership development to strengthen
organizational sustainability.
▪ Identify funding opportunities and cultivate strategic donor relationships.
▪ Strengthen RYMI’s visibility and public profile through mission-aligned
communications and storytelling.
▪ Oversee proposal development and donor reporting to ensure quality, accuracy,
and compliance.
E. Organizational Management, Systems & Financial Stewardship
▪ Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring effective coordination and delivery
across teams and projects.
▪ Ensure sound financial management, internal controls, and timely reporting to
the Board and donors.
▪ Strengthen organizational systems, policies, and operational readiness to
support responsible growth.
4. Qualifications and Experience
▪ A Bachelor’s degree is preferred, including studies in areas such as gender studies,
social sciences, public health, education, development studies, or related
disciplines; a master’s degree is an added advantage.
▪ Minimum 3–5 years of leadership or senior management experience, preferably in the
nonprofit, feminist, human rights, or social justice sector.
▪ Demonstrated experience working on issues affecting adolescent girls and young
women, including SRHR, education, SGBV prevention, leadership development, or
economic empowerment.
▪ Strong skills in organizational leadership, coordination, and relationship
management.
▪ Experience supporting fundraising, partnerships, or donor engagement is an asset.
▪ Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
▪ Fluency in English (written and spoken).

5. Desirable Attributes
RYMI is a young women-led organization. In line with RYMI’s feminist leadership model,
applications from young women, particularly those with lived experience relevant to girls’
leadership and empowerment, are strongly encouraged. RYMI welcomes applicants who
bring integrity, humility, and a demonstrated commitment to centering adolescent girls’
voices and agency.

6. Safeguarding and Code of Conduct
The Executive Director is expected to uphold and enforce RYMI’s safeguarding
commitments, including child protection and PSEA standards. Appointment will be subject
to appropriate reference checks and any required vetting processes consistent with
safeguarding practice.

7. How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
1. A CV (including three references and supporting documents).
2. A cover letter outlining relevant qualifications, leadership experience, and motivation
to support the rights and leadership of adolescent girls and young women.

Applications should be sent to info@risingyouthmi.org by [February 13, 2026, 5:00 PM],
with the subject line: “Application – Executive Director, RYMI”.