Workforce Development Program/Task Order No. 4 Director

The Lebanon Community Support Program (CSP) is a 5-7 year project funded by USAID to support municipalities and underserved and vulnerable communities in providing better services and enhanced economic opportunities to improve lives and reduce tensions that contribute to conflict and violence, primarily in Lebanon’s North, South, and Beqaa regions.

Under the CSP program, the Work Force Development (WFD) activity will provide technical assistance and other support to improve labor skills and employment opportunities through partnerships with the private sector, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) organizations, municipal governments, other public sector entities, and the private sector. The main objective of this task order is to improve skills and employment opportunities, mainly for beneficiaries from vulnerable rural communities.

The Workforce Development (WFD) Program and Task Order (TO) No. 4 Director is a senior member of the CSP team, charged with overall responsibility for the performance of all requirements under the WFD TO of the CSP IDIQ. Requirements include the overall leadership and management of the WFD program’s various tasks, including the technical oversight and creation of employment opportunities through supporting TVETs and establishing linkages with the private sector; establishing a scholarship and internship program for youth from CSP’s areas of intervention; and improving the enabling environment for TVETs. Reporting to the Chief of Party, the WFD Program Director will also serve as the main point of contact between Chemonics and USAID for requirements under Task Order No. 4.   

1.  Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

• In coordination with specialized technical assistance, provide technical input and feedback related to the design and scope of the labor market study and stakeholders mapping deliverable that will serve as a foundation for the WFD program strategy.
• Manage the implementation of the labor market study and stakeholders mapping deliverable.
• Lead the WFD program implementation – improving vocational training quality; improving job placement outcomes; establishing a scholarship and internship program; and improving the enabling environment –  based on the findings fdrom the labor market study.
• Act as CSP’s primary WFD technical focal point, and lead advocacy and policy efforts as needed.
• Supervise TVET and SME development specialists, as well as other staff assigned to the task order.
• With the Chief of Party, represent the progress, achievements, and challenges of the WFD task order to USAID.  
• Build relationships with other USAID (or other donor) programs implementing complementary work in similar areas. Seek opportunities for collaboration to avoid duplication; build efficiencies; and maximize impact.
• Establish and nurture relationships with target TVETs, private sector, municipalities, and civil society organizations, and other relevant public sector entities for the successful implementation of the WFD Program.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other task orders under the CSP IDIQ in order to source beneficiaries that might enroll in the internship and scholarship program.
• Act as lead report writer on the WFD program, including the writing of weekly, quarterly, and annual progress reports to USAID.
• Coordinate closely with the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) department to ensure activities have been implemented according to their design; have achieved results according to the program’s MEL plan; and lessons learned are incorporated into the design and implementation of future activities.
• Coordinate closely with the Activity Fund (grants, subcontracts, and procurement) team to ensure sound and timely implementation of program activities.
• Coordinate closely with the communications and outreach department to meet the outcomes listed in the CSP Communication Plan and promote the impact of CSP activities on WFD related activities and impact.
• Serve as a member of the CSP IDIQ Senior Management Team (SMT)
• Other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

2.  Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; masters degree preferred in relevant areas such as economics, education, business administration, or other
• At least ten years of relevant experience in workforce development programming, working with training and vocational training centers, on job placement programs with the private and/or public sector or other relevant activities
• Senior level management and supervisory experience required, with international donors or international organizations; experience with USAID preferred.
• Experience working with ministries and other governmental and sub-national government entities
• Experience designing and/or implementing labor market assessments and educational and training centers assessments and evaluations
• Experience working on curriculum design, accreditation, and standardization activities preferred
• Familiarity with grants, subcontracts, and commodity procurement preferred with a particular emphasis on knowledge of USAID rules and regulation
• Experience working across Lebanon, specifically the North, Beqaa and the South regions
• Fluency in spoken and written Arabic and English. Advanced writing skills in English required.

3.  Duration and Place of Assignment

The WFD Program Director will be based in the program’s office space in Sin El Fil and will be expected to travel to areas of operation throughout the country as needed for an expected period for three years.

4.  Reporting

The WFD Program Director will report directly to the CSP Chief of Party, or equivalent.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants who can legally work in Lebanon will be considered for employment based on their qualifications without discrimination.