Workforce Development Component Lead (Re-advertisement)

Job Category: Programs

Requisition Number: WORKF01942

Full-Time

Location: Kabul, Afganistan

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Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

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Position Summary:

The Workforce Development Component Lead will take a lead role in improving the quality and relevance of Small Medium Enterprise (SME) export-oriented demand driven skills training, job intermediation services, and employment support offered by targeted workforce development institutions for an upcoming USAID-funded export-oriented competitiveness program in Afghanistan. The anticipated opportunity provides targeted support to enhance market-driven growth of Afghan export-oriented SMEs.  

The Workforce Development Component Lead should expect to manage results, including but not limited to: i) identify private/public sector workforce demands and design targeted/responsive programs, ii) provide job placement and follow-up to job seekers, SMEs, among others. S/he will also work with workforce development institutions and Afghan export associations, and SMEs to improve and expand their service offerings—either through in-house improvements and/or through partnerships—to include job intermediation functions such as internships, job matching, job information, career counseling, mentoring, entrepreneurship support and other important follow-on support.

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Reporting & Supervision:

The Workforce Development Component Lead will report to the Chief of Party.

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Expected Outcomes:

• In line with USAID Afghanistan expectations, the project will increase the number of full-time equivalent jobs, increase the value of exports of targeted agricultural and non-agricultural commodities, increase the number of SMEs receiving bank loans, and increase the proportion of female participants with access to productive economic resources;
• Strengthen feedback mechanisms between private employers, job seekers, and training institutions;
• Sufficient public or private Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), business education and skills training and higher education institutions are engaged in the project and strengthened to provide effective job matching and career development services across the country;
• Job placement services effectively link job seekers with appropriate jobs;
• Higher education and TVET institutions provide technical training based on market demand; and
• Afghans, notably youth, are aware of the job-related services being provided.

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Primary Responsibilities:

• Identify major educational/workforce development skill shortfall areas and assist TVET, business education and skills training, and higher education institutions to develop new curricula to address gaps;
• Develop processes for education institutions to learn from career counseling center activities, both in placement and curricula development and adaptation;
• Support in establishing additional career counseling centers and/or upgrading existing counseling centers to serve all regions;
• Provide recommendations on regulatory reforms to enable public and private higher educational institutions to operate effectively and efficiently;
• Support higher education, business education and skills training and TVET institutions to achieve foreign or international accreditation; and
• Measure the quality of the match between graduates and employer expectations/needs.

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Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in Education, Human Resource Development, Organizational Behavior, Business, Economics, or other relevant field highly desired;
• Excellent track record of achieving improved employment outcomes in similar workforce development activities;
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in workforce development in a developing country, including experience working with host country training or higher education institutions;
• Experience designing and delivering capacity development programs and service provision with business associations, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs; and
• Pashto and/or Dari is preferred and English fluency required.

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Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Position contingent upon donor funding.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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