Youth Engagement and Localization Specialist, USAID, Center for Education

Job Description

Dexis Professional Services is recruiting for a Youth Engagement and Localization Specialist who will be embedded within USAID’s Center for Education, Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation through the Education Support Initiative 2 (ESI 2) institutional support contract.

USAID has a track record of engaging with youth to further education development goals. The Agency has piloted partnerships with youth as literacy volunteers to support reading programs in Senegal under the Harnessing Volunteers as Literacy Leaders (HYVALL) and with the local National Youth Bunge Association in Kenya under USAID’s Tusome Activity. Under Youth Excel, local youth research organizations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are conducting implementation research to inform new Mission youth skills training programming. The Center for Education seeks to learn from and replicate these initiatives in other contexts as part of its commitment to locally led development and equitable youth partnerships.

USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy and Innovation integrates technical expertise with values-driven, cross-cutting priorities, and modern approaches to the way USAID performs its work. It provides client-centered technical services to USAID’s Missions worldwide, supports programming to innovate, learn, and address emerging issues, and provides technical leadership within the Agency and externally to enhance development impact.

The Bureau’s Center for Education (DDI/EDU) leverages its expertise, partnerships, and global perspective to guide and influence the education sector, advancing U.S. Government development priorities.

All members of DDI are measured on how they foster a climate of respect in interactions with others, value differing perspectives, and treat others in a fair, equitable, and culturally sensitive manner. All members of the Bureau are expected to value diversity, equity, and inclusion in performing everyday duties and responsibilities.

The Youth Engagement and Localization Specialist will be responsible for advancing USAID priorities of youth inclusion and locally led development approaches across the education continuum from basic to higher education programming. The position is expected to participate in and coordinate on assignments that involve youth engagement and localization across the Center and with other USAID/Washington Operating Units and Missions. Responsibilities will include the following:

Technical Support to Programs, Projects and Trainings

• Contribute to the design and technical oversight of integration of youth in education programs, desk reviews, youth assessments, youth and risk assessments, and research across the education continuum.
• Ensure that education and youth activity designs, implementation, and evaluations include strategies for equitable partnerships with local organizations (including local youth organizations) and for strengthening the capacity of these types of organizations.
• Ensure integration of approaches for youth engagement in programming across the education continuum in support of the 2022 Agency Youth Policy and 2018 USAID Education Policy.
• Adapt models and tools for local development (with a focus on local youth organizations) to education programming.
• Develop and apply best practices and lessons learned for local organizations to be included in and benefit from programming across the education continuum.

Project Management and Reporting

• Serve as activity manager under youth and education awards and work streams.
• Support various performance management, budgeting and communications functions.
• Assist with tracking analytical data on youth and education programming including tracking results around relevant indicators, such as CBLD-9 and YOUTH Standard Indicators.

Knowledge Management and Coordination

• Collect, analyze, and find ways to apply best practices and lessons learned from youth activities on youth engagement and locally led development to education programming.
• Serve as point of contact in the Center for reporting, coordination, and sharing of guidance and best practices related to local capacity development and youth engagement in education programming, such as strengthening capacity of youth-led and youth-serving organizations to implement local education activities.
• Interface with the Center’s communications colleagues to ensure consistent, quality communications on USAID youth and education programming.
• Support internal Agency coordination between the Center for Education and YouthCorps, Inclusive Development Hub, New Partnership Initiative in the Local, Faith, and Transformative Partnership Hub, and other interagency working groups/communities of practice.
• Ensure the Center is fully apprised of YouthCorps activities and encourage Center participation in YouthCorps activities

• Bachelor’s degree and six or more years of experience or Master’s degree and four or more years of experience in relevant fields such as youth development, education, locally led development or a related field.
• Familiarity with organizational capacity strengthening and youth engagement principles and approaches.
• Demonstrated commitment to USAID’s mission and to improving youth/educational outcomes in multiple environments
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Strong team player and excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.
• Experience in multicultural, multilingual environments preferred
• Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance required.

Dexis is on a mission to help solve today’s most pressing global political, social, and economic challenges and create a world where all people are safe and prosperous. As a Dexis employee, you will be challenged, empowered, and mentored. Our motto is “find a way or make a way” — that’s how Dexis goes “all in.” How will you?

If you are passionate about this opportunity, apply now!

Only those applicants who meet the above criteria will be contacted for interview.

Dexis is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, pregnancy, disability, age, genetic information, military service, veteran status, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, childbirth and related medical conditions, including lactation, or any other protected class under applicable law.

If you are hired for a position that is paid from the Dexis home office, you will be required to submit proof that you have received the COVID-19 vaccine unless you qualify for a legally recognized medical or religious exception to the vaccine requirement. This does not apply to AL, AZ, FL, KS, MT, NH, ND, or TX residents.

About the Organization

Dexis is a professional services firm that solves the most pressing social challenges in complex environments, paving the way for a more secure and prosperous world.

Dexis embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions.

At Dexis, you will experience a corporate culture of inclusiveness, fairness, and trust. You will be given the means and mentorship needed to succeed, and your creativity will be rewarded.