Scope of Work  

Economic Opportunities 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 Economic Opportunities Team Lead will work full-time and be based in Skopje. The Economic Opportunities Lead is responsible for overseeing implementation of technical interventions under Component 1 above. 

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership on demand-side considerations, including engagement with the private sector, and prioritization of important high-growth and attractive employment sectors for productive youth employment.
• Develop and implement a clear outreach strategy for systematically engaging the private sector. 
• Actively engage in new partnerships and maintain existing partnerships among the private sector, business associations, and other relevant stakeholders. 
• Serve as liaison between private sector and youth to ensure private sector understands and is responsive to youth needs, in addition to enhancing the private sector’s mindset on youth employment.
• Identify areas of opportunity for youth as they emerge and maintain flexibility in implementation such that quick shifts and additions can be made when new employment or entrepreneurship opportunities for youth arise.
• Strengthen youth entrepreneurship, including social entrepreneurship, through capacity building for young social entrepreneurs and awareness-raising campaigns.
• Ensure inclusion of diverse populations in Activity interventions under Component 1.
• Participate in regular meetings with senior management related to implementation, technical delivery and monitoring and evaluation.
• Assist with Activity reporting on Component 1 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 combined experience in the private sector facilitating business linkages and partnerships, private sector investments, and/or working on impactful economic development programs is required. USAID experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated understanding of private sector engagement principles is required, and experience working with youth entrepreneurs is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to engage businesses and private sector stakeholders and lead innovative, market-led, and inclusive approaches to economic development and youth employment issues.
• Exceptional communication, relationship/partnership building, networking and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity, and organizational 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.