Youth Education Forum is opening the position of  Youth Engagement Team Lead.

Program: USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) (employed by sub-awardee YEF)

Location: Skopje, North Macedonia

Duration: 5 years

Youth Educational Forum (YEF) is a youth community that provides education for debate, legal literacy, personal and professional skills; creates research and policies; provides media space and information; supports activism, self-organization and participation; for social development of young people. YEF fulfills its mission by implementing activities in its programs: Debate Program; Street Law Program; Youth Activism program; Program for Research, analysis and creation of youth and educational policies and Radio MOF.

IESC, and partners Youth Educational Forum (YEF) and CEED Hub Skopje, are implementing the $7m USAID Youth Actively Create Opportunities (YACO) Activity in North Macedonia. The purpose of the Activity is to increase positive youth contributions to society and collective youth leadership across North Macedonia. The Activity prioritizes three broad areas of intervention:

Component 1: Create partnerships to support the development of economic opportunities that are attractive to youth.

Component 2: Strengthen youth competencies for jobs, progressive careers and active civic participation.

Component 3: Promote values that underpin self-reliance, such as responsibility, independence, lawfulness, strong ethics, civic engagement and striving for accomplishment.

Under the direction of the YEF Executive Director and YACO Activity Chief of Party (COP), the Youth Engagement Team Lead will work full-time and be based in Skopje. The Youth Engagement Team Lead is responsible for overseeing implementation of technical interventions under Component 3 above.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Engage with and build capacity of youth networks and young leaders to engage positively in their communities.
• Identify constraints and opportunities for youth and other marginalized groups to engage in productive economic opportunities and connectedness to their communities.
• Integrate positive youth development across Activity interventions.
• Collaborate with youth serving organizations to build their capacities and relationships, and enhance youth capabilities to serve as leaders.
• Integrate diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility through Activity interventions.
• Participate in regular meetings with senior management related to implementation, technical delivery and monitoring and evaluation.
• Assist with Activity reporting on Component 3 interventions, including contributions to annual work plans, annual reports and quarterly performance reports.
• Any other relevant tasks assigned by Activity leadership to meet Activity objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of five years of experience working with workforce-aged youth or on topics directly affecting Macedonian youth. USAID experience is preferred but not required.
• Deep understanding of best practices, approaches and methodologies related to youth engagement, service learning and civic engagement.
• Knowledge of operating environment in North Macedonia and constraints facing youth, women, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.
• Technical knowledge and experience in youth development, training, group facilitation, and related support services for youth from various backgrounds, as well as previous engagement with youth networks.
• Deep appreciation for youth energy, leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.
• Demonstrated leadership, integrity and organizational skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel across North Macedonia for site visits as needed.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Fluency in English and Macedonian.

Youth candidates (up to age 29) are highly encouraged to apply!

NOTE: Candidate must currently have the right to live and work in North Macedonia. IESC cannot provide international relocation or sponsorship for this position.

How to apply: Please submit a Curriculum Vitae in English and a letter of interest on the e-mail info@mof.org.mk and teodora_stolevska@mof.org.mk with the subject line Application for Youth Engagement Team Lead. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Finalists will be contacted by YEF.

Deadline for submission is 12.03.2023.