EDC is one of the world’s leading nonprofit research and development firms. Established in 1958, EDC designs, delivers and evaluates innovative programs to address some of the world’s most urgent challenges in education, health, and economic opportunity. Our services include research, training, educational materials, and strategy, with activities ranging from seed projects to large-scale national and international initiatives.

EDC seeks a Deputy Chief of Party - Private Sector Specialist (DCOP-PSS) for an anticipated USAID-funded workforce development program in Jordan.

The DCOP-PSS will oversee and co-manage the program, replacing the COP when needed. The DCOP-PSS will manage the project’s technical team and provide leadership to ensure high technical quality and strong partnerships among stakeholders. The DCOP-PSS will serve as the primary link between communities, the local (governorates) governments, the private sector partners at national level and other value chain actors/small medium enterprises at the governorate level. S/he will lead initiatives to catalyze investment in high demand sectors, identify innovative opportunities and business models, employ market driven strategies for both product and service upgrading, facilitate relevant linkages, align incentives of the key partners and facilitate innovation across the WFD project and priority sectors in the target governorates.

Job Responsibilities:

• Overall program management, complementary to the activities of the Chief of Party;
• Oversee, coordinate and align the contribution of private sector partners and assessing their deliverables;
• Oversee and coordinate activities of consultants/staff hired to support business development in the governorates;
• Work with local governments to ensure strong incentives such as appropriate laws, financial incentives and reduce barriers for entrepreneurs that enter the market or public private partnerships;
• Support the development of value chain analyses in the priority governorates through effective research and designing interventions; determine the key demand and supply side constraints in the value chain and opportunities that the project can leverage;
• Work with the private sector partners to develop sustainable and effective information collection and dissemination mechanisms;
• Design and implement a market driven strategy that creates incentives for investment in priority sectors/governorates;
• Develop appropriate strategies for rural areas in Jordan to mobilize private sector investment and training;
• Work with key stakeholders in government, civil society and private sector to develop new PPP models in high demand sectors; and
  
• Facilitate, document and share lessons learned and best practices within the consortium. Promote learning and innovation among stakeholders.

Education:  A minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline such as Development Economics, Business management / Entrepreneurship Development, or other relevant field is required.

Required Skills and Experience:

• At least 8 years demonstrated experience and skills in project management, planning, and implementation in cross sectorial development programs;
• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in private sector or providing technical assistance to improve private sector performance, value chain development, business development of MSMEs and/or micro-finance;
• Entrepreneurial attitude and innovative and creative in solving problems;
• Good understanding of and experience in working with local communities and government agencies at national, regional (governorate), and local levels; and
• Experience in Jordan or the MENA region desired.

Language:  English fluency (written and spoken) is required. Fluency in Arabic (written and spoken) is desired.

Your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EDC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/D/V) and has Affirmative Action Plans for Women and Minorities and for Disabled Workers and Veterans. EDC is a smoke-free workplace.