Scope of Work  

Skills Development Team Lead

Program: USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity

Location: Skopje, North Macedonia

Duration: 5 years

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that fosters private sector development in the economically developing world. Since 1964, we have delivered lasting solutions that have resulted in more than 1.5 million jobs in 137 countries. We partner with businesses, cooperatives, entrepreneurs, jobseekers, and governments to sustainably build capacity, create jobs, and grow enterprises, sharing proven skills and experience that improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities around the world. Our major funders today are the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), among others.

IESC is implementing the $7m USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity in North Macedonia. The purpose of the Activity is to increase positive youth contributions to society and collective youth leadership across North Macedonia. The Activity prioritizes three broad areas of intervention:

Component 1: Create partnerships to support the development of economic opportunities that are attractive to youth.

Component 2: Strengthen youth competencies for jobs, progressive careers and active civic participation.

Component 3: Promote values that underpin self-reliance, such as responsibility, independence, lawfulness, strong ethics, civic engagement and striving for accomplishment.

Under the direction of the YACO Chief of Party (COP), the Skills Development Team Lead will work full-time and be based in Skopje. The Skills Development Team Lead is responsible for overseeing implementation of technical interventions under Component 2 above. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Build capacity of education and training providers to develop youth competencies related to employment and career development.
• Identify foundational skills that support successful youth navigation of life experiences and develop related materials, including innovative and/or specialized training in high opportunity sectors, research, work-based learning, and life skills acquisition.
• Develop pathways for youth and other marginalized groups to access skills development training, career development, and employment services.
• Collaborate with education and training institutions and other non-formal training providers to provide in-demand skills for high-growth sectors.
• Ensure inclusion of diverse populations and youth within different age ranges in Activity interventions under Component 2. 
• Participate in regular meetings with senior management related to implementation, technical delivery and monitoring and evaluation. 
• Assist with Activity reporting on Component 2 interventions, including contributions to annual work plans, annual reports and quarterly performance reports. 
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by Activity leadership to meet Activity objectives. 

Qualifications:

• Minimum of seven years of experience in workforce development, skills development or youth education. USAID experience is preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience working with relevant Macedonian stakeholders in education, training, entrepreneurship, and employment to design and deliver effective interventions in youth skills development.
• Experience designing and implementing programming focused on capacity building of organizations to deliver market-relevant training. 
• Proficiency in addressing factors that maximize social inclusion in economic and civic activities. 
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, relationship-building abilities, leadership, integrity, and organizational skills. 
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel across North Macedonia for site visits as needed.
• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, international development or other relevant field is required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Fluency in English and Macedonian.

NOTE: Candidate must currently have the right to live and work in North Macedonia. IESC cannot provide international relocation or sponsorship for this position.

How to apply: Please submit a Curriculum Vitae in English and a letter of interest. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Finalists will be contacted by IESC.

Deadline for submission is March 6, 2023.

IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in selection and employment practices.