Job Description
Opportunity 2.0 (O2) is a P1.9-billion ($37.5 million) program designed to support existing programs and mechanisms for Filipino out-of-school youth (OSY) that seek to improve their education, employment, and livelihood outcomes by 2025. The five-year program is implemented by U.S.-based Education Development Center (EDC) in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and in partnership with Accenture, Philippine Business for Education, Catholic Relief Services, Voluntary Service Overseas, and SEAMEO INNOTECH.
Program activities support DepEd and TESDA, as well as local governments to provide quality education, skills and opportunities to more than 180,000 OSY. O2 will work with more than 2,000 teachers and 2,200 employers to build valuable partnerships between the education system, industry, community leaders, and government agencies who provide services to OSY. The Activity operates in 15 sites across the Philippines.
Key Activities Include:
- Support second-chance education programs teach innovative learning content that is relevant and responsive to youth aspirations for education and jobs through enhanced soft skills training, advancement to additional training programs and higher education, work-based learning opportunities, and entrepreneurship trainings
- Policy and capacity building support for growth of The Bureau of Alternative Education (BAE) Alternative Learning System (ALS) as a bureau under DepEd
- Support for the ALS to enhance teachers’ access to and use of flexible delivery modalities to meet the needs of diverse OSY population
- Support in linking higher education institutions, local government units, and relevant agencies through YDAs to better address the needs of OSY
- Foster a network of higher education institutions that actively support initiatives to address the needs of OSY in their communities
- Supporting national and local systems to provide foundational skills that are responsive to employers’ needs in work readiness and entrepreneurship
- Engaging the private sector by bringing youth to the workplace through activities such as Work-Based Learning and work immersion; connecting industry and training and by listening to industry needs
- Expanding the network of Youth Development Alliances
- Building productive alliances with industry and higher education
Job Description:
The Chief of Party (COP) will provide technical leadership, administrative oversight, and overall coordination of the activity. S/he will serve as the principle institutional liaison with USAID and key stakeholders. S/he will manage staff and ensure Opportunity 2.0 meets stated goals and reporting requirements, as well as ensure the quality, timeliness, compliance, and efficiency of all products and activities generated under the USAID Opportunity 2.0 Activity.
Qualifications:
The candidate for the position of Chief of Party shall have at a minimum the following qualifications:
Education:
Master’s degree in economics, business, international development, public policy, education, or other relevant field.
Skills and Experience:
- 10+ years related experience (8+ years related experience with PhD), preferably in youth education, demand-driven youth employment, workforce development, enterprise development, or youth development;
- 8 years supervisory/project management or program development experience with USAID funded projects, including senior management/leadership positions on projects of comparable size;
- Specific technical expertise relevant to education and/or youth programs and operations; accelerated/alternative education or cross-sectoral youth programming preferred;
- Experience working in conflict-affected environments, CVE etc., preferred;
- Demonstrated ability to navigate complex policy issues related to workforce development, community development, partnerships with private sector actors, etc.;
- Experience with projects focused on systems change or systems frameworks preferred.
- Experience implementing cross-sectoral activities in agriculture, health, education, conflict mitigation, civic engagement and/or economic growth is preferred;
- Demonstrated ability to engage a variety of stakeholders, including national and sub-national government ministries, donors and implementers, private sector and employers, local NGOs, faith and community leaders, and others;
- Knowledge of USAID administrative and procurement processes
- Capacity to work in difficult conditions and function well under pressure;
- Extensive international experience and experience in a developing country required; and
- Experience in the education sector in Southeast Asia (ideally in the Philippines), with ample experience in project implementation preferred;
Language:
Proficiency in English is required.
About the Organization
Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity. Since 1958, we have been a leader in designing, implementing, and evaluating powerful and innovative programs in more than 80 countries around the world.
EDC promotes equity and access to high quality education and health services and products that contribute to thriving communities where people from diverse backgrounds learn, live, and work together. We support an inclusive workplace culture that embraces many perspectives and broadens our understanding of the communities we serve, enhancing and enriching our work.
