World Learning – Industry Partnerships Specialist - Higher Education Program – Lebanon

World Learning is a leading international non-profit organization advancing education, systems strengthening, and inclusive development through programming around the world. We are seeking an experienced Industry Partnerships Specialist for an anticipated USAID-funded program in Lebanon focused on strengthening higher education institutions capacity to improve the quality of their programs and build relationships with the private sector to ensure that their graduates are well-prepared to enter the workforce. The Industry Partnerships Specialist will lead the strategies and approaches for the capacity strengthening of HEIs to create and sustain effective partnerships with industry, working closely with key HEI and private sector stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in private-sector engagement and experience with HEI-industry partnerships. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project. Only finalist candidates will be contacted. No telephone inquiries, please. Responsibilities • Lead the development of strategies and approaches for strengthening the capacity of HEIs to build and sustain productive private sector partnerships that adequately plans for sustainability; • Provide technical assistance to HEI communities of practice focused on private sector engagement and industry partnerships; • Develop evidence-based and contextually relevant models, resources, and tools for market-driven internships, apprenticeships, and other work-based learning interventions; • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with private sector firms and associations in selected sectors and seek their active participation in sector development; • Facilitate the establishment of sector-specific HEI-industry clusters and ensure their successful implementation, recommending appropriate interventions to overcome entrenched challenges; • Monitor and evaluate activities (track, monitor, evaluation and report on results) • Contribute to work plans, reports, visibility products, and other program deliverables • Provide technical guidance to the Chief of Party, program staff and consultants, and consortium partners to troubleshoot problems related to the project’s technical approach and deliverables; • Other responsibilities as assigned. Requirements • Bachelor’s degree in a related field; master’s degree preferred; • A minimum of (5) five years of demonstrated experience in private sector partnership development for donor-funded projects, preferably in Lebanon; • Experience sustaining or supporting the creation of HEI–industry linkages preferred; • Experience in capacity development and/or institutional strengthening in private sector engagement preferred; • Strong communication skills and ability to build and maintain strong relationships with private sector and higher education institutions counterparts; • Understanding of the economic, entrepreneurial, and employment landscape in Lebanon; • Experience with USAID projects is a plus; • Professional level of verbal and written fluency in English and Arabic, French a plus; • Commitment to inclusive programming that encourages full participation of individuals regardless of gender, disability status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or other marginalized status. World Learning is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action/veterans/ADA employer, committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.