Chief of Party, Industry-Led Skills Development Project in Georgia

Job Description

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Chief of Party, Industry-Led Skills Development Project in Georgia.

Description

Virginia Tech’s Center for International Research, Education, and Development (CIRED) is currently recruiting for the position of Chief of Party (COP) for an anticipated USAID-funded project to support industry-led skills development that will contribute to sustained high-value employment opportunities in the Republic of Georgia. The anticipated program will support USAID/Georgia’s Strategic Development Objective 2- Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth. The USAID/Georgia Industry-led Workforce Skills Development Program has three components:

• Strengthen private sector engagement in skills development
• Establish long and short-term high-quality training programs
• Replicate proven training programs in areas outside of Tbilisi/rural areas

The COP will provide overall project leadership to support industry-driven improvements in training and educational opportunities for workforce development in targeted sectors, including professional, management, and vocational skills development. The project will focus on incentivizing and increasing the level of private sector engagement in skills development, and building communication and partnerships between the private sector and education service providers to support skills development for high-value employment, including on-the-job learning opportunities. The project will also address identified gaps in training and educational programs for the workforce in targeted sectors. The Chief of Party will work closely with component leads to ensure that the objectives of the program are met.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting to the CIRED Executive Director, the Chief of Party (COP) will provide overall day-to-day management and coordination of technical and administrative personnel and functions, including ensuring that appropriate technical and financial reporting requirements are met. These responsibilities include:

• Provide management, vision, strategic direction and leadership in the design and delivery of the program;
• Provide leadership for programmatic efforts related to the project objectives, activities and outcomes, to contribute to a new workforce prepared for more high-value job opportunities that can increase incomes and drive Georgia’s economic competitiveness:
  • Facilitate communication and partnerships between education service providers, private industry partners, and government agencies to develop and deliver high-quality education and training programs in key sectors;
  • Pilot new approaches to incentivize private sector engagement in skills development and the transition from education to employment;
  • Develop short-term training programs addressing the skills mismatch, and long-term training programs creating skills that are demanded by high priority sectors;
  • Expand existing, high-quality programs to Georgians outside of Tbilisi with co-financing from the private sector and/or Government of Georgia;
• As the VT/CIRED representative in Georgia, manage relationships with USAID/Georgia, Government of Georgia representatives, project partners, and other stakeholders to ensure the quality and timeliness of project implementation;
• Oversee the development and review of annual work plans and budgets;
• Oversee the preparation of quarterly and annual reports to USAID
• Ensure project operations comply with Virginia Tech policies and procedures as well as USAID rules and regulations;

Education/Experience

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in Economics, International Development, Education, Business Management, or a closely related field
• Minimum 12 years of professional experience working in workforce education and development, with preference given to experience in Georgia
• Significant experience in leading large and complex donor-funded projects, especially USAID projects; previous COP and/or Deputy COP experience desirable
• Demonstrated ability to establish partnerships between education service providers, the public sector, and the private sector
• Experience recruiting, forming, and successfully managing teams and ensuring the quality of their implementation
• Knowledge of USAID policies and procedures
• Excellent communication skills
• Fluency in English

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing workforce development-related projects in Georgia or the Caucuses
• Knowledge of the political, social, cultural, economic, and development context of Georgia and/or Caucuses experience preferred
• Georgian language fluency

How to Apply

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume by email to: CIRED.Jobs@gmail.com, with “Chief of Party, Georgia Industry-Led Skills Development” in the subject heading. Applications will be reviewed beginning on 27 April 2020, and the position will remain open until filled. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project; this document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment.

About the Organization

Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination or accessibility should contact the Virginia Tech Office for Equity and Accessibility.