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 

YEFED will strengthen the capacity of Guyana’s TVET system to prepare young people for employment and self-employment in important emerging sectors, including the digital and low-carbon economies, including through innovative training programs designed with industry practitioners.

Position Description 

Reporting to the Project Lead, the Private Sector Engagement Specialist (PSES) will take the lead in convening workforce development stakeholders and building partnerships with private and public sector employers in Guyana, with a focus on identifying training, employment and self-employment opportunities in emerging sectors of national importance. This will include: building the capacity to design and utilize local labor market data and assessment tools; identify emerging markets, employer/supply chain needs, and employment opportunities; developing targeted work-based learning opportunities with employer partners; and coordinating effectively with stakeholders on developing and investing in institutional capacity to respond to local market needs with market-driven training offers and qualified, work-ready graduates.

Essential Functions:

The Private Sector Engagement Specialist’s specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following activities:

• Design and execute successful strategies to incentivize private sector engagement in workforce development and youth employment for emerging economic sectors in Guyana;
• Participate in and lead stakeholder consultations to understand employer and investor perspectives on emerging sectors in Guyana and develop/implement action plans based on findings;
• Build relationships and alliances with private and public sector partners across diverse sectors of the economy necessary to attract partners and resources for the Activity;
• Support Guyanese training institutions to effectively nurture private sector relationships and establish streamlined mechanisms for working together;
• Ensure that diverse perspectives are included in workforce development strategies and that partnerships are inclusive of underrepresented groups.
• Oversee the development and use of labor market assessments and sectoral analyses for the eventual design of targeted training programs for youth;
• Maintain an understanding of priority growth opportunities in low-carbon, digital, and traditional sectors that are transitioning to more sustainable practices in Guyana and an understanding of opportunities for collaboration between private sector and learning institutions;
• Support relevant training institution units (Career Centers, etc.) to ascertain employer skills needs and growth opportunities, as well as outreach strategies to industry groups, foundations and private sector firms;
• Assist leadership at learning institutions with devising and updating processes for engaging private sector input into course offerings and pedagogical approaches to align with market demand;
• Assist leadership at learning institutions to work with private sector employers to develop work-based learning opportunities for youth to practice skills and build relationships.

Other Responsibilities:

• Provide feedback on private sector engagement activities and other implementation concerns at the field level, including project monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Provide technical inputs to project team meetings and written materials for quarterly reports.
• Comply with project and organizational policies on technical activities with regards to security, human resources, financial and grants management,
• Comply with EDC’s administrative and HR regulations, including policies and procedures on performance management and annual performance review.
• Travel to local community sites, as needed.

The candidate for the position of Private Sector Engagement Specialist shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in business, education, social development, or related field from a reputable educational institution; Master’s degree strongly preferred. Specialized training in or experience in private sector engagement activities, sustainable development and low-carbon sectors, vocational technical training or related or similar fields would be an advantage.

Skills and Experience:  

• Minimum 6 years relevant experience working on public-private partnerships in Guyana or the Caribbean region, preferably on employment and workforce development initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in private sector engagement and workforce development.
• Knowledge of the low-carbon economy landscape, workforce development, vocational training system and economic development in Guyana more broadly.
• Demonstrated strong facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proven ability 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 MS PPT (preparing effective PowerPoint presentations).
• Willingness to work and travel in all project areas.
• Knowledge of Guyanese culture and experience working with indigenous groups in Guyana would be a distinct advantage.

Language:   

Fluency in English (written and oral)

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.