Title: Skills Training Officer Location: Monrovia, Liberia About EDC

Title:
Location:
Skills Training Officer
Monrovia, Liberia
About EDC
EDC is a global nonprofit organization that designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address
some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Working
with public sector and private partners, we harness the power of people and systems to improve
education, health promotion and care, workforce preparation, communications technologies, and civic
engagement. Founded in 1958, EDC’s headquarters are located in Newton MA, USA. We also have offices
in New York City and Washington, DC, USA. EDC implements projects in over 35 countries.
Project Description
The USAID funded Advancing Youth Project is a five year project to provide basic education, social and
leadership development, and improved livelihoods to out of school youth, ages 13 – 35 in five counties of
Liberia. The project seeks to help Liberian young people develop the basic literacy, numeracy, workforce
readiness and life skills necessary to progress academically, obtain skills training, find jobs, or create their
own employment, as well maintain healthy lifestyles and participate in their communities.
Summary: EDC has been working to implement Alternative Basic Education programs in 6 Counties
(Montserrado, Bong, Lofa, Margibi, Nimba and Grand Bassa). As a part of an integrated ABE approach
youth access leadership, livelihoods and learning opportunities. All youth enrolled in the project are given
work readiness training and participate in a variety of short term skills training in areas including but not
limited to food preservation, soap making, bee keeping, snail rearing and other skills. Some youth have
also benefitted from longer term skills training such as carpentry, plumbing and tailoring that are done in
partnership with skills training organizations. Present efforts include broadening partnerships with the
private sector in order to offer internships for youth. The Skills Training Officer will lead efforts to
strengthen options for short and long terms skills training opportunities for youth enrolled directly in the
program, manage on-going in-school training offerings as well as lead annual market assessments aimed
at identifying and filling information and skills gaps for youth to participate effectively in the world of work
– whether through employment or through starting their own businesses. The Skills Training Officer will
also support efforts to strengthen alliances aimed at aligning the demand and supply for training between
private sector and education stakeholders (including ABE) at the county level. The person in this position
is expected to communicate clearly and courteously; to develop and maintain positive relationships with
clients, consultants, collaborators, co-workers, field sites, and funders; and to work respectfully with EDC
colleagues. The job requires adherence to EDC policies & procedures.
Essential functions include (but are not limited to):
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Ensure quality control of short and long term skills training courses implemented directly and or
in conjunction with partners;
Lead annual market assessments and/or evaluations to determine appropriate skills training
options for youth and identify youth training needs based on these assessments;
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In conjunction with the Teaching and Learning team develop supplementary instructional
materials (print and non-print) to ensure linkage between market assessments and skills
trainings;
Work with field and technical teams to design and monitor program initiatives to support
education and increased livelihoods opportunities for youth outside the classroom;
Maintain a good understanding of the local economic situation, continuously assess livelihood
opportunities for youth and help determine (through local participatory market analysis) demand
for skilled labor and innovative ways to expand the range of skill areas offered to youth;
Work with field and technical teams to proactively seek, establish, and manage partnerships and
linkages for work-based learning opportunities (such as internships), vocational or skills training,
self-employment, formation of cooperatives, and salaried or wage employment for Advancing
Youth learners, based on market demand;
Build positive relationships with the business community and public sector entities that are willing
to engage students in mentoring, apprenticeships, internships and other pre-employment and
employment activities;
Assist in aligning short and long term trainings currently offered for youth to existing prevocational and vocational courses as a transition strategy after ABE classes.
Identify and manage training institutions and or master trainers to support on-site training
activities for ABE sites;
Plan and manage logistics around the selection and training of Peer Training Innovators (PTIs),
scheduling and delivery of on-site training;
Coordinate with HQ staff (Procurement & Finance) on acquisition of goods and/or services to
support on-site training sessions;
Provide technical support to ABE and skills training providers in how to assess local markets and
tailor skills offerings accordingly;
Work with field and technical teams to align training demand and supply through county alliances
which include private sector, education partners and ABE service providers;
Work collaboratively with the Monitoring and Evaluation team and participate, as required, in the
monitoring and evaluation of activities conducted in partnership with others, such as work-based
learning, skills training, internships, etc.
Track and help assess the quality and effectiveness of placements, including internships,
mentorships, and skills training delivered by partners’;
Identify and build potential partnerships with governmental, non-governmental and private
sector institutions to expand skills training options (long and short term) for youth;
Coordinate with Technical and Field Teams to support and build the capacity of county-based
staff and to ensure functional linkages between youth club activities, skills training, food
security, financial security and agri-business development;
Lead and coordinate with technical teams to implement the learner incentive trainee packages
Collate weekly, monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc reports and provide information for project
quarterly, annual and final reports
Work collaboratively with the Learning Agenda Manager to document and respond to Learning
Agenda issues
Perform any other duties as designated by the supervisor.
Qualifications and Requirements
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University degree in education, curriculum development or equivalent background
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Two years’ experience in similar capacity with international donor-assisted programs; individuals with
management experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
Experience working with community based organizations, elders, youth, private sector entities, and
other local entities.
Ability to verbally communicate in an engaging manner and write clearly and concisely
Experience as an engaging and effective trainer (preferably with experience training youth);
Proactive and creative, get-the-job-done spirit;
Ability to work hands-on, independently, and within team under pressure and in difficult work
environment
Excellent written English and ability to write reports
Willingness to frequently travel to Liberian counties covered by the project
Reporting and Organizational Relationships:
This position is located in Monrovia, Liberia and reports to the Technical Team Lead, Livelihoods. This
position will maintain close communication relationships with other technical teams.
Application Details:
 Applications for this position should be sent via electronic mail to Tetee Smith at
liberiajobs@edc.org
 Applications should include a cover letter of no more than 1 page stating why they wish to apply for
the job and why they possess the necessary skills, experience and qualifications.
 Applicants should include a CV of no more than 4 pages with the contact information of three
references as well as contact information for all supervisors for the past five years.
 Applicants may be tested on their communication and writing skills and other skills as required for
the position.
EDC is committed to diversity in the workplace. EDC offers a supportive work environment. EDC is
committed to diversity in the workplace. EDC offers a supportive work environment, competitive
salary and an excellent benefits package.
Please submit your CV by Friday, April 10, 2015
*Please note: Previous applicants need not re-apply.