Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Manager Iraq

POSITION TITLE: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship Manager

POSITION LOCATION: Baghdad, Iraq

REPORTS TO: Project Manager, Iraq

CONTRACT TERM: One Year, renewable

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 23 October 2023

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BACKGROUND

WUSC is a leading Canadian international development organization that works with and through its southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957 and currently working in 22 countries worldwide with an annual budget of approximately $45 million dollars, WUSC’s mission is to foster human development and global understanding through education and training. Our internationally recognized programs support youth, women and other marginalized populations, focusing on three thematic areas of education, employment and empowerment. Globally, WUSC works with a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty and community leaders that can be leveraged to support our work.

Canadian Leaders in International Consulting Inc. (CLIC), founded in 2007, is a professional services firm that provides high quality technical assistance and strategic advice in governance, institutional development, restoration and capacity building to public, private and not-for-profit sectors. CLIC works extensively in conflict and post conflict environments providing livelihood and stabilization services. In addition, CLIC conducts research, implements monitoring and evaluation and development projects globally with a focus on the broader Middle East and North Africa. Over the past 3 years CLIC has implemented, or is currently implementing, contracts in Iraq with the WB, UNDP, the ILO and several international organizations and bi-lateral funding agencies.

WUSC and its consortium partner, CLIC, are implementing the Training And Workplace Advancement Solutions for Opportunities in the Labour Force (TAWASOL) project in Iraq. TAWASOL, a project funded by Global Affairs Canada, aims to enhance economic empowerment for female and male youth in Iraq; through establishing more inclusive employment environments enabling youth to make the transition from training to employment, and increasing more equitable participation of male and female youth graduates in the workforce. The TAWASOL project will be implemented over a period of five years, from April 2023 to March 2028 in four locations in Iraq (Baghdad, Basra, Najaf and Mosul).

WUSC is seeking to recruit a Employers Relations Manager, based in Baghdad, to develop, integrate and manage the Employers Relations strategy of the project. The Employers Relations Manager’s role is key to facilitating sustainable partnerships between stakeholders and engaging private sector employers for internship and employment opportunities for graduate youth.

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Employers Relations Manager will be responsible for the following:

Partnership Development:

• Identify and engage with employers, industry associations, and relevant stakeholders to develop partnerships and collaborations.
• Assess employer needs and workforce requirements to align training programs with industry demands.
• Facilitate the establishment of Industrial advisory boards (IABs) at the Technical Universities and Programme Advisory Councils (PACs) to promote ongoing dialogue and collaboration.

Employer Engagement:

• Work closely with the Training Institutions Partner Manager to facilitate linkages between TVET institutions and employers to facilitate effective communication and collaboration, as well as identifying incentives and approaches for sustained cooperation.
• Organize and facilitate meetings, workshops, and events to foster networking and knowledge sharing between employers and TVET institutions.
• Advocate for the value of TVET education and promote the benefits of hiring TVET graduates to employers.
• Ensure a private sector led approach to all project activities, focusing on ways to ensure increased employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth

Grant (Matching-Funds) Management:

• Managing the financial aspects of the grant funds, including developing and monitoring funds, tracking expenditures, and ensuring compliance with funding guidelines and regulations.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records of grant funds, preparing financial reports, progress reports, and other required documentation for funders or stakeholders.
• Ensuring compliance with grant agreements, regulatory requirements, and auditing standards. This involves keeping track of expenditures, documenting project activities, and providing necessary documentation during audits.
• Conducting evaluations to ensure that grant funds are effectively utilized and aligned with the project goals.

Internship and Apprenticeship Programs:

• Work with employers and technical training institutions to develop and implement internship and apprenticeship programs to provide hands-on training opportunities for TVET students.
• Coordinate with TVET institutions and employers to match students with appropriate internship or apprenticeship placements.
• Work with stakeholders to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of internship and apprenticeship programs and provide recommendations for improvement.

Entrepreneurship Opportunities:

• Work closely with the Project Manager and Training Institutions Partner Manager to facilitate linkages and referrals of students to Business Development Services (BDS) and other entrepreneurship support services
• Help to identify partners to provide BDS and entrepreneurship support to students through the Technical University Career Development Centers and the VTCs.

Management and Reporting

• Recruit, orient, and manage an Employer Relations Coordinator
• Work with the project team to implement, revise and update the project work plans and strategies according to successes, challenges and lesson learned through working with employers, technical institutes and other stakeholders
• Contribute to the development of project annual work plans and annual reports for submission to the donor, showcasing success stories and highlighting key results
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to manage and monitor the budget allocated to the key activities of responsibility, and contributing to the financial reports as needed
• Work closely with the M&E manager to ensure targets are set, and results are being monitored according to the PMF, as well as identifying and highlighting any unintended results
• Work closely with the Gender Equality Manager to ensure that the GESI considerations are integrated into activities according to the GESI strategy and work plan.
• Actively participating in team meetings, stakeholder meetings and other events as required
• Foster and maintain close coordination with focal points at the Ministry of Labor and Ministry of Higher Education, in coordination with the Project Manager and Country Director.

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QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES

Education

• MA/MSc or equivalent in international development or relevant fields such as education, business administration, or (human rights) required – coursework in employers relations in international development is required;

Experience

• Strong knowledge of vocational and technical training and education systems and labor market dynamics.
• Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining relationships with employers and industry stakeholders (including entrepreneurship support actors).
• Understanding of internship and apprenticeship programs and their implementation in educational settings.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with employers, TVET institutions, and students.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to translate labor market information into actionable strategies.
• Familiarity with project management principles and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.
• Experience with a range of institutional donors, such as Global Affairs Canada.
• Good technical experience in TAWASOL’s areas interventions: vocational training and skills for employment, women and youth economic empowerment, private sector engagement;
• Knowledge and experience working with ministries in Iraq, specifically Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Higher Education.
• Work experience in an intercultural context.

Competencies

• Strong analytical and research skills;
• Proven ability to work productively with a variety of stakeholders to run participatory processes and meet tight deadlines with an emphasis on producing quality products;
• Effective interpersonal and influencing skills, including the ability to build relationships, network, communicate and represent at a senior level are essential;
• Excellent communications skills;.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Flexibility, with a strong work ethic and an entrepreneurial spirit to accommodate high levels of responsibility and multiple priorities;
• Proficiency with information technologies and computer skills (Word, Excel, the Internet, etc.) and familiarity with Google Drive and Gmail is an asset;
• Curious, enthusiastic and willing to innovate and adapt.

Languages

• Complete fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is required.

APPLICATIONS:

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

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