Small Business Outreach Officer

Company Description

Education Development Center (EDC) is a global nonprofit that advances lasting solutions to improve education, promote health, and expand economic opportunity, with a focus on vulnerable and under-served populations. 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.

EDC is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.

We are looking for candidates who share EDC’s commitment and understand the importance of cultural responsiveness in today’s context.

Project Description

The USAID South Sudan Youth Empowerment Activity supports South Sudanese youth and communities to develop, promote and strengthen the skills and assets of youth, and to create an enabling environment for the youth to be productive and positively contribute to their communities. The purpose of this activity is to support and empower at-risk out-of-school youth ages 15-29 with focus on developing the basic education and foundational skills of youth, strengthening employment skills for improved livelihoods, and supporting the creation of an enabling environment for improved youth productivity. Gain the necessary skills they need to lead productive lives, gain employment, and positively contribute to their communities with the following intended results:

• Improved youth access to functional literacy, numeracy, soft and life skills
• Increase youth entrepreneurial, employment, and vocational opportunities.
• Increase behavior changes among youth to make positive adolescent reproductive health choices.
• Improve social cohesion among youth and their communities.

USAID/South Sudan also envisions that Youth Empowerment Activity will adapt and/or pilot a Youth Corps Service model as a modality to creatively achieve the activity's stated goal and integrated objectives. Unemployed South Sudanese youth who are graduates from high school and universities, and non-graduates of exceptional demonstrated ability, will be mobilized, trained, coached, and mentored to become Youth Corps Service members. They will deliver specific Youth Empowerment Activity -prescribed activities to disadvantaged targeted youth beneficiaries and their communities.

The activity will help leverage youth for the youth’s benefit, build a sense of belonging and solidarity, and help to promote peace. The Activity is implemented through a consortium led by EDC and comprised of at least 7 national and international NGOs. It supports service delivery via over 100 community-based organizations and entities.

Job Description

The Small Business Outreach Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the USAID South Sudan Youth Empowerment Activity by fostering youth entrepreneurship and enhancing employability through small business development. The officer will be responsible for coaching youth in the creation and management of their businesses, linking them with private sector opportunities for work experience and internships, and building strong relationships between the program, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders. The ideal candidate must possess a passion for youth empowerment, a deep understanding of small business development, and the ability to engage with diverse communities and partners. Additionally, the Small Business Outreach officer will be the focal point in ensuring the youth corp members are equipped with the trade skills, linked with networks necessary to succeed in the labor market and equipped with entrepreneurial attitudes and skills necessary to up their own small enterprise ventures in their communities.

Key Responsibilities:

Program Implementation and Coordination:

• Coordinate and implement workforce development activities and entrepreneurship programs in line with the objectives of the USAID South Sudan Youth Empowerment Activity.
• Collaborate and advise civil society organizations (CSOs), Anchor Organizations, TVET institutions, Relevant Ministries and Directorates and local communities to identify target participants and ensure inclusive participation of diverse youth and youth groups.
• Work closely with the youth corp coordinator in ensuring the youth corp members sand the youth corp leaders get the right places for work experience and internship
• Design/develop cooperation agreements with agreed partners and ensure adherence and implementation of such agreements
• Develop work plans, schedules, and budgets for program activities, ensuring efficient and effective use of resources.

Training and Capacity Building:

• Support the program team in the adaptation of resources/curricula required for training in various aspects as will be required by the youth corp members.
• Support the design and deliver training sessions on employability skills, vocational training, business development, and entrepreneurship tailored to the needs of the youth.
• Work with local trainers, mentors, and experts to provide technical support and capacity-building to young entrepreneurs.
• Lead the setting up of work experience for youth graduates of pathway two in private sector/business to expose youth to the world of work and gain experience
• Facilitate workshops, seminars, and peer learning sessions to enhance youth skills in areas such as financial literacy, business planning, and market analysis.

Youth Engagement and Mobilization:

• Lead efforts to mobilize youth participants through outreach and engagement strategies, ensuring broad awareness and participation in program activities.
• Work with youth groups, community leaders, and local CSOs to foster a supportive environment for young entrepreneurs and job seekers.
• Encourage youth leadership and active participation in program design, implementation, and evaluation.

Private Sector Engagement and Partnerships:

• Establish and maintain partnerships with private sector entities to create work experience/internship, apprenticeship, and in a long run, employment opportunities for the youth.
• Collaborate with small businesses to identify workforce needs and develop responsive training and placement programs for the youth.
• Strengthen work-based learning with the youth undergoing Work Ready Now/Be your own boss/WRNBYOB
• Promote corporate social responsibility initiatives that support youth employment and entrepreneurship.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting:

• With the support of the M&E technical team, support the implementation of monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track program outcomes and measure impact of the program activities.
• Support data collection on program participation, skills development, employment rates, and entrepreneurial success to inform program adjustments and improvements.
• Prepare regular weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports on program progress, challenges, and achievements for internal and external stakeholders, including USAID.

Stakeholder Collaboration and Communication:

• Liaise with project partners, including EDC teams, USAID, government agencies, CSOs, Anchor Organizations and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated efforts and alignment with broader USAID South Sudan Youth Empowerment Activity overall project goals.
• Represent the project in meetings, workshops, and forums related to youth workforce development and entrepreneurship when requested.
• With the support of the communication specialist, develop communication materials, such as success stories, and social media content, to raise awareness about the program activities and outcomes.

Mobilization and Sustainability:

• Identify and advise youth on local and sustainable funding and resources options to finance youth business ideas for sustainability.
• Work with local stakeholders to develop and strengthen the program sustainability and the continuation of youth workforce and entrepreneurship support beyond the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics, Economics, development studies.
• At least 2-4 years of experience in workforce development, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship support, or a related area.
• Strong experience in project management, including planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs.
• Proven ability to deliver training and capacity-building initiatives to diverse audiences, particularly youth.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including youth, community leaders, private sector partners, and international donors.
• Experience in data collection, analysis, and reporting, with a strong ability to use data to inform program decisions.
• Knowledge of the socio-economic context of South Sudan, including challenges related to youth employment and entrepreneurship, is highly desirable.
• Experience in setting and running own business with very good understanding of the business climate is instrumental
• Proficiency in English is required; knowledge of local languages is an advantage.

Key Competencies:

• Leadership and Teamwork: Ability to lead and work collaboratively with a team to achieve project goals.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Understanding and respect for the cultural, social, and economic contexts of South Sudan.
• Adaptability and Flexibility: Ability to adapt to changing project needs and work effectively in a challenging environment.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills and the ability to address challenges and find innovative solutions.
• Results-Oriented: Focus on achieving measurable outcomes and delivering high-quality results.

Additional Information

Language:

Fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of Juba Arabic and local dialect is essential.

Application Instructions:

• Job closing date: September 27th , 2024
• To apply, Applicants are encouraged to visit the Careers Page at: https://go.edc.org/SouthSudanJobsOnly if technical difficulties occur, applicants may send their resumes to: YEA [email protected] listing “Job Title- Small Business Outreach Officer -South Sudan” in the Subject Line.

 Or hand delivery applications, enclosed in an envelope to Afex Security Reception to the attention of Basic Education Specialist, Education Development Center, (EDC), USAID Youth Empowerment Activity. Indicate on the envelope the position applied for.

Applications will be progressively reviewed as they are received.

Due to the volume of applications submitted, only finalists will be notified. No phone calls, please.

EDC is committed to enhancing the diversity of its workforce and ensuring an equitable and highly inclusive work environment. EDC is a smoke-free workplace, and offers a supportive work environment, competitive salary, and excellent benefits. Women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.