FHI 360

Economic Strengthening Advisor

Ngo & Social Services Jobs
Salary
Negotiable

Job Description

Position: Economic Strengthening Advisor

Location: Harare

Program Description:

We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the role of Economic Strengthening Advisor to support the upcoming USAID/Zimbabwe Adolescent Girls and Young Women Reaching Their Dreams activity, which will play a central role in advancing DREAMS programming in Zimbabwe. DREAMS is an ambitious approach to programming for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), developed by the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The goal for DREAMS programming is to help girls develop into Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe women.

The Adolescent Girls and Young Women Reaching Their Dreams activity will operate in 12 provinces of Zimbabwe. It will work through local implementing partners to scale up HIV prevention interventions that empower AGYW aged 10-24 years to reduce their risk of HIV acquisition; strengthen families to provide a safe environment for AGYW; mobilize communities for social and gender norms change; and reduce the risk of sex partners. Economic strengthening (ES) is a key element of DREAMS programming, as increased economic security among AGYW and their households increases resilience to HIV-related risks and supports uptake of services. The Technical Lead, Economic Strengthening will be responsible for providing expert guidance in aligning ES activities with PEPFAR DREAMS guidance that aims to increase AGYW access to profitable market niches for employment and entrepreneurship.

This position will be based in Zimbabwe and Zimbabwean nationals are encouraged to apply. Employment is contingent upon the award of the Adolescent Girls and Young Women Reaching their Dreams program to the coalition of partners in which FHI 360 is involved. This position will be hired by FHI 360 and seconded to the prime organization.

Position Summary:

The Economic Strengthening Advisor (ESA) will be the lead technical expert on private sector engagement and strengthening market and job linkages of AGYW to accessible, growth-oriented segments of the local market. The ESA will oversee the implementation of labor market and value chain assessments in each district, provide expert guidance in the development of benchmarks to track ES activity progress, and advise on ES strategy and appropriate programming models to achieve DREAMS programming goals. The ESA will work in close collaboration with the rest of the technical team in-country and Home Office technical advisors to ensure integration and coordination of all elements of DREAMS programming to maximize program benefits to AGYW.

Duties and Responsibilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Technical Director, the Economic Strengthening Advisor will be responsible for:
• Leading the development of annual plans to conduct or update labor market assessments (LMAs) in each province.
• The Economic Strengthening Advisor will work with Home Office technical advisors on the strategy for LMAs, provide high-level oversight of expert consultant teams implementing the LMAs, and ensure that on-the-ground support is provided by Economic Strengthening Coordinators and Officers at the national and district levels.
• Collaborating with Home Office technical advisors and local implementing partners to identify and develop strategies for economic strengthening programming that is responsive to local growth sectors’ labor market demand.
• Providing expert advice to local implementing partners on translating the findings of LMAs into programming that prepares AGYW ages 15-24 to enter into or engage more productively with profitable, growth-oriented segments of local markets as employees of existing businesses or entrepreneurs.
• Working collaboratively with Home Office technical advisors and the project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor to establish appropriate benchmarks for monitoring ES activity progress.
• Overseeing the monitoring ES activity progress against benchmarks, providing technical assistance to ES Coordinators and Officers.
• Identifying opportunities to strengthen project engagement with private sector actors and providing expert assistance to local implementing partners on strategies for communicating with and engaging the private sector as employers and mentors for AGYW participants.
• Facilitating problem solving and strategic planning among project stakeholders to address critical opportunities, challenges and barriers to improve the delivery of ES activities that are aligned with market demand.
• Working in close collaboration with the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Lead and Protection and Safeguarding Technical Officer to ensure that effective participant protection mechanisms and approaches for ES activities are in place.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Qualifications and Job Requirements:
• A degree in economics, business, behavioral science, political science, or other relevant fields, a master’s degree is highly desirable
• At least 8 progressive years of professional experience related to increasing employment and other economic opportunities for youth and vulnerable populations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the business and labor market landscape in Zimbabwe.
• Strong interpersonal and coordination skills.
• At least five years’ experience in managing and supervising a team.
• Proven leadership and ability to build and motivate diverse and talented teams
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain compatibility among project staff, subcontractors, consultants, and recipients of assistance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Familiarity with PEPFAR and USAID policies, procedures, rules, regulations and reporting requirements for DREAMS programming is strongly desired.

How to Apply

Apply online, visit the website below.

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