EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world. 

EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.    

Project Description

Opportunity 2.0, funded by USAID, will strengthen second-chance education programs for vulnerable out-of-school youth in the Philippines. Opportunity 2.0 will collaborate and work with national and local systems supporting youth in order to provide 180,000 youth with the skills and opportunities to improve their education, employment, and livelihood outcomes.  

Achieving this vision will require a multi-faceted, systems-strengthening approach that aligns the formal education system, markets, and youth “sub-systems” at the regional levels. This will be achieved by providing experienced project personnel embedded in government departments; further aligning the input of technical assistance; and maximizing opportunities to bring together the respective stakeholders to identify and refine synergies and transition pathways for youth, particularly between Department of Education (DepEd)’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) program and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). 

Position Description 

The Private Sector Officer – Iligan City, under the supervision of the Private Sector Advisor, will provide technical guidance and support to the program in private sector engagement and entrepreneurship in Iligan City, and focus on bridging or transitioning youth program completers with employers or self-employment opportunities.

Essential Functions

The Private Sector Officer’s specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• In coordination with the Youth Development Coordinator (YDC), provide technical assistance to the Youth Development Alliance (YDA) to support their capacity improvement in a) information-gathering regarding employer and industry needs and self-employment opportunities; and b) continuous relationship-building with prospective local employers and local industry players.
• In coordination with the YDC, support the YDA in conducting their annual region-specific labor market assessments (LMA) and using the results to inform programming and ensure alignment of youth skills development with employer and industry needs. 
• In coordination with the YDC, support capacity building of selected TVET institutions and universities in conducting and analyzing localized LMA.
• In coordination with the YDC, support capacity building of local training service providers and partners to offer effective employment services for youth as well as implement job intermediation services.
• Assist the YDAs to mobilize local networks of stakeholders who can collectively match learners/trainees and graduates with existing opportunities highlighted by the LMAs as well as provide recommendations to address skills gaps through training provision.
• As needed, support the YDC in providing technical assistance to youth service providers and YDAs to ensure they use a holistic lens when conducting outreach to the private sector, through EDC-led training/workshops for YDA and youth network.
• Support in the implementation of community employment opportunity mappings within their region/province/city by engaging the Local Government Unit (LGU) representatives, the DepEd ALS and TESDA, schools, community-based organizations (CBOs), associations of entrepreneurs and chambers of commerce, representatives of parents’ associations, and other education stakeholders.
• Working closely with the Private Sector Advisor, YDC, Private Sector Coordinator, and other Private Sector Officer(s), participate in planning and support the conduct of city/municipal project launch activities.
• Serve as the O2 liaison with private sector stakeholders and other local partners in his/her area of responsibility to ensure close collaboration in all aspects of O2 technical programming. 
• Establish and sustain partnerships with private sector as well as identify and negotiate opportunities for work-based learning, employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship. 
• Support the coordination with city/municipal level partner agencies, local youth service providers, and private sector representatives on project supervision visits of US Embassy/USAID, EDC, DepEd ALS Task Force, TESDA national and regional offices, and other officials to his/her area of responsibility. 
• Support coordination with city/municipal level partner agencies, private sector and relevant local stakeholders to implement data gathering activities for progress monitoring, impact assessments, and operations research and learning purposes in his/her area of responsibility. 
• Provide support for implementing workshops, forums and other learning events at the local level to disseminate results of project-wide assessments, communicate innovative approaches and good practices, and share research findings as appropriate, for the purpose of knowledge-sharing and for building or sustaining partnerships.
• Actively contribute to the project communications plan by regularly providing documentation of significant events, success stories, and other similar materials to feature in USAID weekly highlights, EDC newsletter, and for press releases.
• Provide technical inputs, for partner and technical working group meetings; planning and implementation meetings, and the like.
• Preparing work plans and activity reports. 
• Provide feedback on private sector activities and other implementation concerns at the level.
• Provide technical inputs to O2 project team meetings and written materials for quarterly reports. 
• Actively participate in fostering a collaborative environment between technical teams in the and Admin, HR, and Finance departments. 
• Comply with project and organizational policies on technical activities with regards to security, human resources, financial and grants management, the confidentiality of documents and information, and the like. 
• Comply with EDC’s administrative and HR regulations, including policies and procedures on performance management and annual performance review.

Organizational Relationships and Employment Status

• Reports to Private Sector Advisor
• Based in Iligan City, Northern Mindanao
• Available for travel to other O2 project sites
• Full time employee

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

Education:  

• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent 4 years of relevant experience) in economics, business administration, education, social development, or related field. 
• Specialized training in trade and investments, development planning, corporate social responsibility, non-formal education or related or similar fields would be an advantage.

Skills and Experience:  

• At least three (3) years relevant work experience in a project or projects similar to O2, with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
• Experience in private sector and proven record of initiating and building relationships with various stakeholders.
• Experience in organizing business/investment forums and building networks of businesses/employers and industry players is an advantage.
• Must have experience in facilitation/coordination activities on employment and business/livelihood with agencies such as DOLE, DTI, Chamber of Commerce, and industry associations.
• Of the above, at least one (1) year in a similar LGU/multi-stakeholder coordination role.
• Knowledge or familiarity with the local business environment of the project sites, and experience in working with LGUs and the private sector in O2 sites, or similar socio-economic-cultural context would be distinct advantages.
• Able to work independently and in a team environment.
• Demonstrated capacity for coordination, networking and task management.
• Excellent people skills at all levels, cultural sensitivity and the ability to work in a multicultural work environment.
• Working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel and preparing effective power point presentations; and
• Willingness to work and travel in all project areas.

 Language:  

Working knowledge of local language and dialect(s), and excellent English language written and oral communication skills. 

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified.  No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Note: EDC doesn’t solicit for money from applicants at any level of the recruitment & selection process.