Senior Workforce Innovation Manager

Job Announcement

For External Use

Location: Pristina, Kosovo

Group/Practice/Unit: Education Practice

Who We Are

IREX is a global development and education organization. We strive for a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world—where individuals reach their full potential, governments serve their people, and communities thrive. With a projected annual portfolio of more than $150 million and more than 750 staff worldwide, we work with partners in more than 100 countries in four areas essential to progress: cultivating leaders, empowering youth, strengthening institutions, and increasing access to quality education and information.

Job Summary

Under the guidance of the Deputy Chief of Party, the Senior Workforce Innovations Manager will support the private sector (PS) in developing an inclusive and sustainable approach to workforce training that meets the needs of the targeted high-growth sectors. He/she will monitor the work of the grantees and engage Workforce Innovation grantees, helping them define the technical assistance they require to deliver new or improved training programs. Coordinating technical expertise, he/she will ensure technical assistance is tailored for grantees and advances their ability to scale and sustain. He/she will also drive the Cisco pilot and will work closely with the Data & Performance Manager to ensure grantees are able to assess their workforce solutions.

Specific tasks for assigned role include:
Performs additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, and the Activity, as well as performs duties as assigned by the supervisor.

We are doers. Our decades of on-the-ground experience help us create greater impact, practical recommendations, and lasting partnerships.

Are you the next member of our team?

Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in related field required, Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 +years of progressive job experience in Kosovo, or a master’s degree and 9 years of experience.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively on the technical aspects of implementation with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience and proven track record coordinating private sector cooperation with government agencies and policy development to reform the TVET sector to align with Private Sector needs, address the skills gap and contribute to greater market system competitiveness.
• Proven experience with curriculum design, accreditation, certificate development, internship/mentoring programs, or other workforce development activities.
• Experience drafting workplans, monitoring partners and grantees, and reporting.
• Experience working and forming partnerships in priority high-growth sectors (ICT, Wood Processing, Agribusiness, and Energy) preferred.
• Experience working on USAID funded programs and/or other international donor-funded development projects is preferred.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with senior government officials, education professionals, CSOs, private sector leaders, and international donors, etc.
• Strong writing, representational, and organizational skills. Ability to communicate professionally and provide written reporting in English is required.
• Must possess the technical, managerial and communication skills to assume all related responsibilities of the Component Lead position on a full-time basis if needed.
• Effective oral and written communication credentials.
• Very good command of English Language and Albanian is required.
• Strong representational and organizational skills.
• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted authorization to work in Kosovo
• Lead Component 2 activities to strengthen training institutions to develop and deliver demand-led training that supports students into employment, and use data to understand impact and create responsive, sustainable, and resilient market-based workforce development systems.

Your Daily Tasks

Task and Project Coordination/Management

• Leverage existing capacity and identify priority areas for technical assistance (TA) to further the development and implementation of the projects. Coordinate and supervise consultants providing TA on assignments ranging from financial modelling to institutional planning and strengthening, career center development, and occupational standards development. Define SOWs and ensure deliverables and timelines are met.
• Provide TA or facilitate TA to subgrantees on:
  • Cost analysis, financial modeling, and sustainability planning;
  • Certification and accreditation support;
  • Bridges to employers; and
  • Other tailored TA as needed for curriculum development and delivery.
• Drive Cisco program and facilitate learning for future programs.
• Work closely with the Data & Performance Manager to ensure each grantee has integrated an effective feedback mechanism to assess their workforce solutions, including skills and employment outcomes.
• Work closely with the Grants and Contract Officer to ensure proper monitoring and implementation of the grantee's contract, including Scope of Work and milestones.
• Develop and manage detailed approaches and workplans and be responsible for quarterly and annual reporting for Component 2.
• Manage team’s internal IREX and USAID reporting requirements e.g., quarterly, and annual reports.
• Other support duties as needed.

Relational Communication

• Engagement with each Workforce Innovation grantee and help them define the technical assistance required to deliver new or improved training programs.

Partner Engagement / Business Development

• Serve as a senior representative for the project and develop key relationships with external stakeholders, donors, and high-level government and PS partners, specifically relating to Component 2.

Budget, Financial and Project Compliance

Responsible for financial planning for Component 2. Ensures compliance with IREX’s and USAID’s policies. Accountable for the compliance and financial integrity of activities under Component 2 Responsible for the approval but may not be the required signature.

Teamwork and Leadership

• Supervise, manage, and build the capacity of the Workforce Innovations Officer and Program’s Associate

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

Use Senior Workforce Innovation Manager, Education Practice | IREX Job Board (ultipro.com) link to apply. This position is open until filled. For best consideration, apply by April 28, 2024.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.