Research Assistant-Career Counselor Employer Outreach Officer

About Project
Through a Food for Training (FFT) module, the Digital Skills Training Program will target 1400 vulnerable host community young adults in two locations of Lebanon. The target population is 100% Lebanese; at least 50% female; 18-35 years of age; and financially vulnerable. Areas targeted include areas with high refugee populations and poverty among Lebanese: Talabaya, Bekaa (700 young adults) and Tripoli (700 young adults).

The program aims to prepare young adults for innovative models of employment in the future including online microwork and free-lancing, entrepreneurship, and other forms of employment in the field of technology, as well as fields that increasingly rely on technology. The model helps young adults overcome the limitation of needing a degree, builds their skill set, and addresses human factors affecting employability such as encouraging a growth mindset and increasing self-confidence.

CCECS Summary
The Center for Civic Engagement and Community Service (CCECS) builds bridges between the university community, stakeholders, humanitarian agencies, policymakers, and community partners, with an overarching mission to integrate developmental planning aimed at empowering marginalized communities with experiential learning for leadership development and transformative education.
Accordingly, the Center has developed an operating framework in order to become more responsive to the exacerbating local needs on one end, and to be more strategic in pervading the culture of impactful engagement across all faculties on the other end. The dyad of (1) Transformative Education through Civic Engagement and (2) Community Development Projects, reflects the Center’s journey through the decade.

Position Summary
To address placement of graduates in online and traditional work opportunities using digital skills, the program will have one dedicated central staff member who will work actively with all five training centers including regular site visits to the regions. The new staff member: A dedicated career counselor and employer outreach officer will work with center coordinator teams to develop a program of individual guidance and additional training appropriate to different tracks for participants: start-up support track, further vocational training track, education/scholarship track, internship track, or employment track. The career counselor/employer outreach officer will develop the tracking system and train coordinators on following up and guiding participants. Center coordinators will provide individualized career counseling and support in application processes for further opportunities for participants. The career counselor/employer outreach officer will develop and maintain effective relationships with employers at the local and national levels to increase recruitment of program alumni as interns and employees. This position will assist with center-based information sessions and will oversee the posting of employment opportunities to center participants.

Essential Job Responsibilities
• Assist with developing and maintaining an active listing of available job and internship openings to which participants can be referred;
• Collaborate with potential employers to determine workforce needs;
• Assist with developing marketing and outreach strategies that promote current and potential employer working relationships;
• Participate in employment and career fairs to develop and foster working relations with prospective businesses or job sites;
• Work with center coordinators to ensure participants timely and appropriate employment referrals. Compile monthly Job Placement reports;
• Promote job retention among referred/placed participants and mentoring to participants;
• Monitor the program participants' employment process with a 6-month follow-up for up to one year, and track employment history;
• Follow up with employers on program participants' employment progress.

Knowledge and Experience

The candidate should possess at least a Bachelor's degree in Social Science or Social Studies or any relevant discipline.  
AT least four years of work experience in a relevant field is required.  
Good communication skills – both written and oral is required.  
Analytical and report writing skills are necessary.  
The incumbent should be able to work independently, if and when required and be able to come up with creative ideas to resolve work-related problems.

Supervisory Responsibility
None

Accountability
Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and AUB's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues