Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community.  We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries.  We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.

For more information on Counterpart, please visit our website at www.Counterpart.org

Nigerien Nationals are strongly encouraged to apply

Job Profile: 

Counterpart International is currently seeking aEconomic Empowerment Specialistfor the implementation of the anticipated USAID-funded Youth Connect projectwhich will seek to equipvulnerable young women and men in Niger with the skills, networks, and capital for increasedstrategic economic opportunities in Niger. This position is contingent upon award of the Program to Counterpart International.

The Economic Empowerment Specialistwill lead activities related to all four of the Program’s objectives as they relate to employment and entrepreneurship skills building and access to income generation activities for young people. The Economic EmpowermentSpecialistwill be at the  forefront of ensuring thatappropriatetechnical skill building interventions and access to markets and business networksare integrated into the Program, especially for youth living in conflict areas and at risk for engagement in CVE. He/Shewill work with a range of stakeholders (civil society, government, the private sector, and international and regional partners) to ensure that the Program promotes inclusion and contributes to increased economic opportunities among vulnerable young people.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Work with partners to identify existing programs, resources, and materials that support youth technical skill building in market-driven industries and workforce readiness coaching,especially among at-risk youth;
• Demonstrated experience analyzing labor market information in order to develop programming to support youth emplotment and entrepreneurship opportunities, including micro and small enterprises, with inclusion for young women and low-literacy populations;

• Cultivate dynamic partnerships with local private sector partners, including local business owners to serve as employers and mentors of young people;
• Demonstrated experience of programming that directly facilitates job placement and business incubation for young people, especially youth that may migrate;
• Knowledge of effective programming for access to credit and capital for young people, which may include links with microfinance institutions, savings and loan associations, and e-money solutions.

Qualifications:

Education:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Education, Economics, Public Policy, or other relevant areas of study;

Experience:

• At least five years of demonstrated experience in advancing youth economic opportunities, inclusion both employment and self-employment;
• Extensive knowledge in labor market analysis, workforce development, value chains, entrpreneurship, and gender equity and inclusion;
• Knowledge of leveraging public-private partnerships and programs that promote access to capital and credit for youth;
• Previous experience overseeing technical skill-building and business coaching programing for youth preferred, especially with low literacy populations and youth at risk of migration;
• Demonstrated knowledge of theagricultural and water resource managerment labor markets preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to perform at a high level and apply diplomacy skills with a wide range of stakeholders (i.e., national, provincial, district and local government officials, private sector, technical training institutes, CSOs/NGOs, informal community organizations, youth, and beneficiaries);
• Strong presentation, reporting, and communication (both oral and written) skills;
• Leadership capacity and experience supervising teams of diverse staff;
• Previous experience working with youth in conflict settings is recommended, preferably with experience in Tillaberi;
• Previous experience on a USAID-funded programs highly preferred;

Languages:

• Fluency in French required;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in Englishpreferred.

To apply, please follow this link: https://careers2-counterpart.icims.com/jobs/1226/economic-empowerment-specialist/job