Senior Capacity Building & Economic Development Specialist

Title:  Senior Capacity Building & Economic Development Specialist

Reports to: Senior Project Manager

Location:  Juba, South Sudan

Travel:   Frequent travel between project sites.

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking applicants for a Senior Capacity Building & Economic Development Specialist (CB & ED Specialist) to be based in Juba, in South Sudan. For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through economic development and governance initiatives. NEF’s work is organized around three core program areas: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Position Description:

The CB & ED Specialist is a key member of the Near East Foundation team in South Sudan. The CB & ED Specialist has the responsibility to ensure the smooth management and implementation of the objectives and activities of NEF’s multi-state and multi-year project advancing self-reliance of groups and communities impacted by displacement and climate shocks. The project delivers holistic and innovative business and employment services, complementary community development initiatives, and investments in essential services through 19 partner community associations, cooperatives, and non-government organizations in addition to academic and private sector partners. The project strengthens those partnerships through targeted capacity building aimed at partner organizations and associated Master Trainers. The project leverages NEF’s pioneering Siraj livelihoods hubs and services operating in four countries. The project is implemented in Unity, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal, Warrap, and Abyei, and is part of a global multi-country initiative.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the CB & ED Specialist will have the following duties and responsibilities:

• Lead capacity assessments of organizational partners and associated Master Trainers and Field Coaches and develop capacity building plans for each group;
• Work with NEF’s technical specialists (Livelihoods, Protection, and Agriculture Specialists) to implement finalized capacity building plans through comprehensive capacity building activities. These activities include but are not limited to: classroom or online training, coaching, systems development, training manuals and procedures, and monitoring and performance indicators; supporting NEF’s pioneering online and mobile-friendly training platform;
• Work with the Project Manager to oversee the identification, prioritization, and financing of partner-led economic development and community-led priority interventions (social innovation initiatives and community initiatives);
• Lead the development and/or update of trainer manuals for Master Trainers and Field Coaches;
• Work with Master Trainers to develop schedules, Key Performance Indicators, and monitoring and improvement plans;
• Contribute to the conceptualization and roll out of employment readiness & job placement program in support of displacement affected persons;
• Build capacity of partner organizations to cascade and deliver capacity building programs;
• Build and maintain effective relationships with partner organizations and other organizational stakeholders in areas related to organizational capacity building;
• Coordinate with the program’s MEL Lead to track supported stakeholders’ progress in achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);
• Represent NEF at relevant clusters and working groups; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Qualifications:

• University degree in a relevant field such as international development, rural development, economic development, sociology or related field;
• A minimum of eight (8) years of progressive responsibility in capacity building for organizations and professionals;
• Demonstrated expertise in devising and implementing economic development programs, particularly labor activation programs;
• Demonstrated expertise in facilitation and training in both large, formal settings and strong interpersonal skills for coaching and mentoring in informal settings;
• Experience in displacement affected settings in support of improved livelihoods;
• Demonstrated experience in Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA);
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication and presentations skills;
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English.

NEF will accept a rolling application until the procurement is completed.  Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  Deadline of applications is August 18, 2022.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents in the English language:

1. Cover letter (not more than 1 page) outlining all relevant experience and skills based on the requirements above, availability date, and proposed daily rate
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references

Please note only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.