ACDI/VOCA Workforce Development Expert

We are seeking a Labor and Workforce Development Expert for an existing two-year USAID-funded workforce development project in Iraq that seeks to improve economic opportunities for Iraqis, with special emphasis on serving internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees, women, youth and other vulnerable populations. The program aims to help create a demand-driven employment system by building capacity of training organizations and job placement firms to respond to private sector workforce needs and link qualified job seekers to employers. The position will be based in Erbil, Iraq, with frequent travel throughout the country.

Responsibilities:

•assist in employer identification of employment opportunities, targeting industries with strong Iraqi job growth opportunities
•network and establish linkages with domestic and international private sector firms
•develop innovative ways of strengthening strategic linkages among workforce development training and service providers to develop demand-driven workforce development •facilitate dialogue with government and private sector stakeholders to identify ways to remove impediments to quality employment opportunities, with a focus on vulnerable populations
•liaise with workforce intermediary organizations and other donors to improve the capacity for delivering quality demand-driven vocational education and job-matching services •oversee the establishment of new training programs, and draw on short-term technical assistance, as required, to provide guidance for highly specialized industry training development •liaise with other donors to coordinate workforce development efforts with existing initiatives

Qualifications:

•master’s degree in curriculum development, technical vocational education, business/private sector development; Ph.D. preferred •minimum of five years of experience designing and implementing demand-driven workforce development initiatives in environments comparable to Iraq •demonstrated ability to build partnerships and strengthen relationships among key private stakeholders, industry leaders and government officials •experience in helping training institutions and job placement agencies organizations develop and implement employability services •experience working with youth, women, IDPs and vulnerable populations in areas including skills training and workforce development highly preferred •experience in helping training institutions and job placement agencies organizations develop and implement employability services •prior work experience in the MENA region required; experience in Iraq preferred •fluency in English required; proficiency in Arabic preferred.

How to apply:

Please apply online at http://acdivoca.maxhire.net/cp/?E55E68361D43515B7E59192F77571E6A05627F. No phone calls please. Only finalists will be contacted. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. EOE.