FHI 360

FHI 360 is a global development organization, with a rigorous, evidence-based approach to human development. Our team of professionals includes experts in health, nutrition, education, economic development, civil society, environment, and research. FHI 360 operates from over 60 offices with more than 4000 employees in the United States and around the world. Our commitment to partnerships at all levels and our multi-disciplinary approach allows us to have a lasting impact on the people, communities, and countries we serve by improving the lives of millions.

FHI 360 is currently recruiting for the position of Technical Lead, Youth Economic Strengthening & Private Sector Engagement (PSE) for an anticipated USAID-funded integrated youth activity to enable marginalized and vulnerable Malian youth (age 15-29), particularly young women with disabilities, to become educated, healthy and productive citizens while building their resilience to recurrent crises. Shifin ni Tagne will provide youth with the foundational skills needed to prepare them to become agile learners, able to adapt and learn new things in a rapidly changing environment. The project will provide youth, particularly adolescent girls and young women with disabilities, with the skills and knowledge to access sexual and reproductive (SRH) services and practice healthy behaviors. Additionally, Shifin ni Tagne will provide Malian youth with the relevant workforce readiness, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills to succeed as market actors in the agriculture and livestock value chains, vocational trades, sanitation and green jobs in their communities. The project will operate in Bamako, Segou and Mopti. 

This position will be based in Bamako, Mali and Malian nationals are encouraged to apply. Employment is contingent upon the award of the Shifin ni Tagne program to FHI 360. 

Job Summary: 

The Technical Lead, Youth Economic Strengthening & Private Sector Engagement (PSE) will be the project’s primary technical expert on private sector engagement and strengthening market and job linkages of youth to accessible, growth-oriented segments of the local market in particular for entrepreneurs. The Technical Lead will oversee and participate in the implementation of market and value chain assessments in the project’s geographies (Bamako, Mopti, Segou), build relationships with private sector companies including small and medium-sized businesses, provide expert guidance in successful strategies for entrepreneurs, and advise on the overall PSE strategy and appropriate programming models to achieve Shifin Ni Tagne programming goals. The Technical Lead will work in close collaboration with the rest of the technical team in Mali and FHI 360 headquarter’s technical advisors to ensure integration and coordination of all elements of Shifin Ni Tagne programming to maximize program benefits for marginalized youth. This duty station has been designated as high risk or extreme risk and poses a heightened risk or direct threat to personal safety. Applicants should research this location and the associated risks before submitting an application.

Job Description: 

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Party, the Technical Lead, Youth Economic Strengthening & Private Sector Engagement (PSE) will be responsible for: 

• Lead the activities including the development of the annual work plans for activities under objective 3 of the project “To provide youth with the relevant workforce readiness, vocational, and entrepreneurial skills to succeed as market actors in the agriculture and livestock value chains, vocational trades, and green jobs in their communities."
• Lead the development of the private sector engagement strategy and identify opportunities to strengthen project engagement with private sector actors and provide expert assistance to local implementing partners on strategies for communicating with and engaging the private sector as employers and mentors for marginalized youth. 
• Oversee and participate in the initial sector assessment for each geography to ensure alignment with Shifin ni Tagne goals and establish private sector database to capture data collected. 
• Provide expert advice and support to ensure the findings of sector analysis and LMAs translate into programming that prepare marginalized youth to engage more productively with profitable, growth-oriented segments of local markets as entrepreneurs or as employees of existing businesses. 
• Provide high-level oversight of the implementation of youth-led labor market assessments (LMAs) by program participants. 
• Working from findings of the initial sector analysis, and subsequent YL LMA findings, identify, map, and establish referral mechanisms for micro- short- and long-term skills development opportunities – including internships and apprenticeships - in the private sector, with entrepreneurs, or through Government of Mali programs for marginalized youth in their communities. 
• Identify and develop strategies for economic participation programming that is responsive to local growth sectors’ labor market demand. 
• Lead solutions for safeguarding of program participants, in close collaboration with the Gender Equity and Social Inclusion team and the Protection and Safeguarding Officer, including sufficient screening and partnership mechanisms are in place with training institutions or private sector actors who work with youth in skills development, internships, or apprenticeships. 
• Provide capacity strengthening to consortium partners and community-based organizations on how to effectively engage and partner with the private sector. 
• Oversee the pilot and possible scaling of a youth-led digital labor market information system. 
• Work collaboratively with Home Office technical advisors and the project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning team to establish appropriate benchmarks for monitoring activity progress. 
• Oversee the monitoring of objective 3 activities’ progress against benchmarks, providing technical assistance to project and partner staff. 
• Contribute objective 3 related content to the timely, accurate and high-quality development and submission of all technical deliverables, in accordance with USAID and FHI 360 rules and regulations. 
• Facilitate problem solving and strategic planning among project stakeholders to address critical opportunities, challenges and barriers to improve the delivery of activities that are aligned with market demand. 
• Collaborate with in-country and headquarter-based technical staff to ensure the project is implemented according to FHI 360 and industry best practices, program framework, and regulation. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in economics, business, behavioral science, political science, or other relevant fields. 
• At least 8 progressive years of professional experience related to private sector engagement, increasing economic opportunities, including employment, for youth and marginalized populations. 
• At least five years’ experience in managing and supervising a team. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of the business and labor market landscape in Mali. 
• Experience delivering training and facilitating interactive workshops, in particular with youth. 
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills. 
• Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams 
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, partners subcontractors, consultants, and recipients of assistance. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French required, fluency in Bambara strongly preferred; verbal and written communication skills in English preferred. 
• Familiarity with USAID policies, procedures, rules, regulations and reporting requirements preferred. 

This job description summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time. 

FHI 360 offers competitive compensation and a package of exceptional benefits. Please visit the FHI 360 Career Center at http://www.fhi360.org/careers for a list of all open positions.  

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer. . FHI 360 is committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status. 

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 will never ask you for your career site username or password, and we will never request money, goods or services during the application, recruitment or employment process. If you have questions or concerns about correspondence from us, please email CareerCenterSupport@fhi360.org.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.

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