Private Sector Coordinator- Opportunity 2.0 Program

  • Full-time

Company Description

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations.  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.    

EDC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

Project Description

Opportunity 2.0 is a program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) that will work with over 2,200 employers and at least 50 education or training institutions especially in major hubs like Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, and Davao and 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). 

Job Description

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

Essential Functions 

The Private Sector Coordinator’s specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Provide technical assistance to the Youth Development Alliances (YDA) to support their capacity improvement in the following areas. This will be conducted in coordination with the Youth Development Coordinator (YDC).
         a) information-gathering regarding employer and industry labor/manpower needs and self-employment opportunities; and
         b) continuous relationship-building with prospective local employers and local industry players.

- Support the YDA in conducting their periodic 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.

- Support capacity building of selected TVET institutions and universities in conducting and analyzing localized LMA, with the support of the YDC.

- 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 the YDC 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, Youth Development Coordinator and other Private Sector Field Officer(s), participate in planning and support the conduct of city/municipal project launch activities.

- Serve as the Opportunity 2.0 main liaison with private sector stakeholders and other local partners in his/her area of responsibility to ensure close collaboration in all aspects of Opportunity 2.0 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.

- Working closely with Private Sector Advisor, plan and develop strategies to maximize engagement of private sector as well as gain its commitment to maintain its support to vulnerable youth.

- Oversee the tasks of the Private Sector Officer to ensure program components, in relation to private sector engagement and partnerships, are harmonized across the sites and completed as required.

Qualifications

Education:   

- A bachelor degree (or equivalent 4 years of relevant experience) economics, business administration, education, social development, or related field from a reputable educational institution.
- 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 to four (5-6) years relevant work experience in a project or projects similar to Opportunity 2.0, 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 Opportunity 2.0 regions, 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.
-  Willingness to work and travel in all project areas.

 Language:   
Fluency in Filipino and English. 

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.