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

The Opportunity 2.0 (O2), a 5-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to strengthen second-chance education programs for vulnerable out-of-school youth in the Philippines. The O2 collaborates and works with national and local systems to provide 180,000 youth with the skills and opportunities to improve their education, employment, and livelihood outcomes.

Achieving this vision requires 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).

The Youth Development Coordinator (YDC), under the supervision of Youth Development Team leader, will oversee the work in Cotabato City. S/he will coordinate and organize site activities and work with DepEd ALS, TESDA local office and accredited institutions, and the LGU to establish the Youth Development Alliances (YDAs), and coordinate youth engagement activities for beneficiaries along with the Private Sector, Technical Development, and SILC officers.

The Youth Development Coordinator will work closely with the local partners covering their project site – providing technical guidance and monitoring their activities. The YDC will collect data on activities and contribute to the project reports.

Essential Functions

The Youth Development Coordinator’s specific responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Support planning and conducting activities to strengthen the system’s service delivery, such as engaging local universities in DepEd ALS teacher professional development and, continuing education and career guidance for DepEd ALS learners, as well as, developing a pre-service ALS teacher training curriculum program for leading teacher education institutions.
• Support planning and implementation of a blended professional development training program for master trainers and DepEd ALS implementers, in close coordination with DepEd.
• Support testing of flexible delivery modalities for DepEd ALS program to meet the needs of diverse out-of-school youth populations.
• In coordination with the Private Sector Coordinator/Officer, provide technical assistance to the Youth Development Alliances (YDA) to support their capacity improvement in a) information-gathering regarding employer demand and self-employment opportunities; and b) continuous relationship- building with prospective local employers and industry partners.
• Support the YDA and the Private Sector Coordinator/Officer, in conducting 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.
• Support the Private Sector Coordinator/Officer to build the capacity of selected TESDA accredited institutions in conducting and analyzing localized LMA.
• Support the implementation of a pilot program that combines the Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) curriculum with savings groups (SILC) and entrepreneurship accompaniment.
• Supervise and oversee the small grants component for local training service providers to help integrate Work-Based Learning (WBL), entrepreneurship training and coaching, private sector engagement strategies, and technical training into their existing programs and services for ALS learners and TESDA trainees.
• Lead activities to build the capacity of local youth service providers to offer and implement job/employment intermediation services.
• Ensure the quality and delivery of O2 curriculum and skills training by youth service providers.
• Support and oversee the training of all stakeholders involved in the YDAs to understand, implement and measure progress against a holistic approach.
• Provide technical assistance to youth service providers and YDAs to ensure they use a holistic lens when conducting outreach to the private sector, youth-serving organizations and training providers, through EDC-led training/workshops for YDA and youth networks; and other capacity-building activities for city/municipal youth alliances including youth service providers.
• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of community mappings within their region including the LGU representatives, the DepEd BAE and TESDA, universities and TVET institutions, community-based organizations (CBOs), associations of entrepreneurs and chambers of commerce, representatives of parents’ associations, and other education stakeholders.
• Help sustain youth development alliances, such as but not limited to coordinating with YDA focal person on the conduct and documentation of YDA meetings and YDA-led activities.
• Provide technical assistance and facilitate logistical support for EDC-led training/workshops for YDA and youth network; and other capacity-building activities for city/municipal youth alliances including youth service providers.
• Working closely with the Youth Technical Director and other Youth Development Coordinator(s), participate in planning and support the conduct of city/municipal project launch activities; establish partnerships with Mayors and LGU officials; and facilitate the formation of youth development alliances.
• Support the conduct of learning and dissemination events and annual youth summits, youth civic engagement activities, and other capacity-building activities for city/municipal youth alliances including youth service providers.
• Serve as the O2 liaison with city/municipal LGU officials, and other local partners in his/her area of responsibility to ensure close collaboration in all aspects of O2 technical programming.
• Coordinate with city/municipal level partner agencies and local youth service providers on project supervision visits of US Embassy/USAID, EDC, DepEd BAE, TESDA national and regional offices, and other officials to his/her area of responsibility.
• Coordinate with city/municipal level partner agencies, youth service providers, and relevant local stakeholders to support data gathering activities for progress monitoring, impact assessments, and operations research and learning purposes in his/her area of responsibility.
• Provide technical and other 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.
• Prepare work plans and activity reports.
• Provide feedback on youth service providers’ activities and other implementation concerns at the field 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 field 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.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Youth Development Team Leader.

Organizational Relationships and Employment Status

• Reports to Youth Development Team Leader
• Supervises Youth Development Officer
• Based in Cotabato  City, Philippines
• Regular, Full time employee

Education:

• At least a bachelor’s degree in education, social development, or related field.
• A Master’s degree or equivalent specialized graduate certificate would be an advantage.
• Specialized training in non-formal education and/or technical-vocational education or related or similar fields would be an advantage.

Skills and Experience:

• At least five 5 years relevant work experience in a project or projects similar to O2, with progressively increasing levels of responsibility.
• Of the above, at least three (3) years in a similar LGU/multi-stakeholder coordination role.
• At least 3 years’ experience in ALS, livelihood and entrepreneurship training, technical- vocational/workforce development programs.
• Experience in working with LGUs in O2 project sites, or similar socio-economic-cultural context would be a distinct advantage.
• Demonstrated good facilitation and presentation skills.
• 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:

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

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