Skill Development and Capacity Building Specialist

Title: Skill Development and Capacity Building Specialist  

Location: Senegal River Valley, Sine Saloum zone, and Casamance

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that catalyzes private sector growth and creates economic opportunity for people and communities across the economically developing world. Since our founding in 1964, we have delivered lasting solutions across 139 countries.  

IESC is a valued partner to people and communities. We share proven business skills and experience with entrepreneurs, jobseekers, businesses, farmers, cooperatives, and governments. We also offer resources—human, technological, financial—that sustainably build capacity and empower communities. Our long legacy of strengthening economies is matched by our vision for the next generation: a world with economic opportunity for all, where people and communities thrive. 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 USAID Youth Development Activity in Senegal. The objective of the program is to provide both technical and social solutions to youth un- and underemployment, ultimately leading to youth’s greater access to productive economic resources and improved livelihoods. The program will achieve this by (1) linking youth to the skills, assistance, and resources needed to pursue employment or entrepreneurship (via self-employment) in agriculture, and (2) strengthening the capacity of local training and service providers so that they can sustainably and effectively deliver improved youth training and support programs. The program prioritizes interventions under two intermediate results:  

Sub IR 1: Enhance capacity and increase access to incubators and training centers  

Sub IR 2: Increase youth awareness of economic opportunities 

The Skill Development and Capacity Building Specialist will lead the delivery of capacity building interventions with skills development providers such as TVETs, incubators, and CREs (Centres de Recherche et d’Essais), among others. Likewise s/he will support the delivery of technical assistance to support local implementing partners to advance youth agency and advance youth assets. This includes linking youth to skills, resources, and providing an enabling environment for youth to pursue employment or entrepreneurship  

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify institutions and organizations in the identified zones of influence (ZOI) that have capacity to support training; and assess the supply and demand of labor including GESI and disability inclusion considerations for workforce development.  

• Collaborate with local CSO’s to identify youth who could form part of a Youth Advisory Council to guide interventions and play a leading role in collaborating learning and adaptation (CLA).  

• Participate in organizational capacity (OCAT) analysis and co-develop capacity strengthening plans (CSP) for local providers.

• Leverage partners to identify opportunities to mobilize and deliver targeted technical assistance including mentorship, advisory assistance, and training or the trainers.  

• Build skills, standards, and capacity of training and service providers to deliver products and services for youth consistent with the demands of the market.

• Provide technical assistance to training providers to enhance their existing skills development platforms and training programs and, as needed, learning initiatives. This includes developing and implementing work readiness training curricula to prepare out-of-school youth for the workplace as well as providing financial training to improve youth financial management.  

• Scale up successful skill development approaches and propose innovative solutions to sustainably expand service provision in the ZOI

• Establish or strengthen referral networks among local providers to enhance youth access to employment and entrepreneurship, including self-employment in the Zones of Influence (ZOI).  

• Monitor the delivery of interventions and following up with beneficiaries and partners to collect data as needed.

• Support efforts to raise awareness of youth, their families, and communities of opportunities for skills development and improved livelihoods.  

• Work closely with the grants team to develop and implement grants.

Qualifications:  

• At least 5 years experience managing discrete components of donor-funded programs, with budget, staff management, and workplan ownership.

• Technical expertise in skills development with demonstrated understanding of the training landscape in the ZOI.

• Experience with capacity building of training providers and other youth-focused service providers in Senegal.

• Knowledge of education-to-employment transitions and the opportunities available to youth to find self-employment or a job.

• Demonstrated experience integrating GESI and inclusive growth considerations into program activities.

• Degree relevant to education, skills development or economic development required.

• Fluency in English and French is required.
  
  
  

IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note that this position is intended for a Senegalese national or a person with legal residency and work eligibility in Senegal.  CV and letter of interest should be in English. CV and salary expectations are required with submission. CV and salary expectations are required with submission.  

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Finalists will be contacted by IESC.

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