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 purpose of the Partnerships for Educational Progress Activity is to strengthen the higher education system to address Egypt’s development priorities. Through partnerships with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR), Egyptian higher education institutions (HEIs), and the private sector, the Partnerships Activity will accelerate the MOHESR’s vision to transform Egypt’s public HEIs into world-class, market-relevant centers of learning that prepare and connect Egyptian students to the workforce. The activity will achieve this purpose through the following three results:

1. Higher education entities strategically plan, manage, and monitor an effective higher education system;
2. HEIs deliver high-quality, inclusive, market-relevant, interdisciplinary education that facilitates graduates’ employability; and
3. HEI campuses provide inclusive access to a modern environment equipped with new technologies and scientific resources.

Position Description 

The Private Sector Engagement Advisor will be responsible for developing project's policy, strategies and programs to start or accelerate private sector engagement with Egyptian HEIs. The Private Sector Engagement Advisor will be responsible for facilitating relationships between private sector entities and Egyptian Universities to result in win-win outcomes for both entities. This might include private sector support for incubation hubs hosted at universities, joint research programs, to benefit private sector value chains or specific industries, internships for students, externships for professors, or visiting scholar opportunities for private sector actors among many other potential opportunities. 

Responsibilities for the Private Sector Engagement Advisor include, but are not limited to:  

• Develop and facilitate relationships between private sector entities and Egyptian Universities.
• Support Egyptian HEIs to effectively nurture private sector relationships and establish streamlined mechanisms for working together.
• Maintain an understanding of the priority growth sectors in Egypt and an understanding of opportunities for collaboration between private sector and HEIs.
• Support relevant HEI units to ascertain private sector skills needs and growth opportunities, as well as outreach strategies to industry groups, foundations and private sector firms.
• Assist leadership at Egyptian HEIs with devising and updating processes for engaging private sector input into course offerings and pedagogical approaches to align with market demand.

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

Education: 

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Development Economics, Business management / Entrepreneurship Development, or another relevant field is required. 

Skills and Experience:  

• At least 5 years demonstrated experience working with the private sector to enhance workforce development and job skills;
• Minimum of two years' experience working with higher education institutions in Egypt or the region, preferably with a focus on increasing market relevance;
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in private sector engagement and workforce development;
• Knowledge of the private sector landscape, workforce development, higher education system and economic development;
• Demonstrated good facilitation and presentation skills;
• Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• Experience providing host governments and HEIs with strategic planning, policy implementation, and technical guidance;
• Excellent people skills at all levels, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to work in a multicultural work environment; and
• Experience in the MENA region (preferably Egypt) required.  

Language:   

Fluency in Arabic required. Proficiency in English desired. 

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.