EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CENTER (EDC)

EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC designs delivers, and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.

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

Project Description

USAID Youth Advance is a USAID Liberia-funded five-year activity aimed at increasing the economic self-reliance and resilience of 21,000 youths between the ages 15-35 years in Grand Bassa, Lofa, and Montserrado counties. EDC is partnering with Youth Serving Local Organizations (YSLOs) in the three counties of Grand Bassa, Lofa, and Montserrado to roll out a set of adapted modular curriculum – EDC Work Ready Now (WRN!), Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) to cohorts of youth categorized under Pathway 1, 2, and 3.

Position Description

The Youth Development Officer will assist in the technical implementation of the USAID Youth Advance Activity at the county, district, and community level and provide support to the Activity’s implementing partners (YSLOs) by conducting monitoring and support capacity building activities/coaching to YSLOs technical staff and trainers to ensure timely and quality delivery of in-class trainings and post-training transitional support package to youth. The Youth Development Officer will work with the USAID Youth Advance technical team to conduct program assessments, liaise and support YSLOs to conduct health fairs, private sector engagement, and create linkages with YSLOs for youth work-based learning, job placements, and business sourcing opportunities. The Youth Development Officer is expected to support YSLOs to deliver the GROW livelihoods for youth who venture into businesses, or micro-enterprise start-ups.

This position reports to the Training Officer and is based inGrand Bassa County.This post has no benefits entitlement during the temporary service contractual period.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Liaise with Youth serving local organizations partners manager, Youth Development Coordinator (YDC), Training Manager, Training Officer and M&E team to develop and implement monitoring, quality assurance and YSLOs field-level support plan
• Conduct classroom observations and in close collaboration with YSLO technical staff, provide support to trainers in timely manner
• Support YSLO to conduct private sector engagement to ensure transitional activities are implemented with quality and in a timely.
• Support YSLOs to actively create and strengthen key partnerships with local stakeholders that are parts of the Liberian employment and entrepreneurship ecosystem, such as private sector companies, financial institutions, entrepreneurs’ associations, and networks, chambers of commerce, accelerators, incubators, startups, and similar
• Liaise with Youth serving local organization to ensure VSLAs are rolled out and are part of the youth livelihoods plan
• Support the Youth Development Alliances, which is the project sustainability mechanism for the market-driven youth workforce development
• With support of Project Communications Point of Contact, identify and draft success stories that feature in project reporting, Develop and submit Weekly, monthly activity report to the Training Officer and Assist in distribution of materials and tools to YSLOs, track records and reports

The candidate for the position of Youth Development Officer shall haveat a minimum the following qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Community Development, Social Sciences, Project management, or other relevant degree program and 2 to 3 years of progressively responsible and directly relevant experience.

Skills and Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience supporting the implementation of projects with a focus on youth workforce development, entrepreneurship, and skills development
• Experience working with INGO implemented projects, either in coordination, quality assurance and/or monitoring and evaluation
• Prior work in a relevant area such, community and youth development or mobilization
• Practical, experience in the education and youth sectors desired
• Background in Positive Youth Development and gender inclusion
• Demonstrated experience in private sector engagement preferred
• Preferably residingin Grand Bassa County

Language:

Fluency in English is required.

Other:

VACANCY CLOSING DATE: January 31, 2025

Applications submitted without a resume or CV will not be reviewed.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

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EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer 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.