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Youth Investment Summit: The Road to Economic Growth

 

 

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“The technical and vocational training of Africa’s youth will equip the private and public sectors with the skilled workforce needed to support their investments and enhance their operations.”
–Crispian Kirk, OIC International President and CEO

Over 200 government and business leaders, entrepreneurs, donors, and youth leaders, and community representatives convened at the La Palm Royal Hotel to examine the “how” for unlocking human potential in unemployed and underemployed youth throughout Africa.

“The youth have challenges and they are not prepared to listen to promises.”
-Baptista Sarah Gebu, Human Resource, OIC Ghana

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According to the World Bank 200 million people in Africa are between the ages of 15-24.  The youth bulge in African countries, with over 60 percent of young people unemployed at 40 percent of the total population.

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The African Union adopted a youth action plan in 2011 to address high youth unemployment in Africa (AU 2011).  Recommendations from the plan include stronger concentration on Technical and Vocational Education Training, also known as TVET.  As a leader in human development training and TVET for over 42 years, OIC International is convening this Summit in Accra, Ghana to facilitate stakeholders’ solutions on how to harness the youth bulge as a driver for economic growth.

“Investment in youth is a valuable investment in the future of our country… to the benefit of not only the individual but to the society as a whole”
– Hon. Nii Ashietey, Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Ghana

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  • Discussions between stakeholders about African youth’s place in the growing global economy
  • Agreement that skills training – market-relevant education and entrepreneurship – are key to empowering and employing African youth
  • Affirmation from the President of Ghana that the government is committed to ensuring youth are able to learn vocational skills and access credit
  • Inclusion and engagement with youth on a policy and employment level

“Ghana is on the world stage and it’s ripe for investments”
-Crispian Kirk, President and CEO, OIC International

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  • Government of GhanaMinister Ashietey announced the establishment of a Labour Market Information System in Accra. This system will:
    • Provide monthly information on job opportunities in Ghana
    • Collect data on employment rates throughout the country
    • Conduct and enforce workplace safety inspections and regulations
  • OIC Ghana – Chairman Dr. William Bray confirmed OIC technical training programs have reached the 1,000 youths-per-year milestone
  • OIC International – President Crispian Kirk reaffirmed the organization’s enduring commitment to empowerment programs in Ghana.

“Today OIC International is recognized as the premier model of excellence for youth training and development not only in Africa, but also throughout the Caribbean… OIC International has successfully built self-reliance and entrepreneurship through technical and vocational skills development.”
– Minister Nii Ashietey, on behalf of President John Mahama

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Introduction

Dear friends,

Where will you be on Thursday, May 16, 2013? Are you interested in learning about opportunities in Ghana, a country that is one of the 10 fastest growing economies globally? Then you will want to join me in Accra, Ghana, at OIC International’s first “Youth Investment Summit: The Road to Economic Growth.”

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The New Face of Agriculture

What is thousands of years old, harbinger of civilizations, and constantly evolving? Agriculture.

Agriculture is crucial for Africa’s economic growth: employing approximately 65% of its workforce and accounting for 32% of the continent’s GDP, this industry is livelihood and staple for individuals and families. While agricultural growth has improved over the past few decades…

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor

Title: Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor
Duty Station: Washington, D.C
Reports to: Regional Director for Africa

DESCRIPTION:

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor is an M&E expert who will manage all aspects of developing and implementing M&E tools, systems, and procedures for OICI programs. She/he will be a key member of the OICI Program Management Team (PMT) and will work closely with OICI field offices to ensure compliance with donor rules and regulations regarding M&E. The Specialist will train and guide field-based staff on OICI M&E systems and procedures. S/he will oversee the development and implementation of a knowledge sharing system to communicate trends, outcomes, and best practices in M&E for program and business development. She/he will serve as the primary point of contact for OICI donors and partners on all M&E related issues and deliverables.  S/he will ensure the accuracy, reliability, and quality of OICI data collection and analysis.

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

M&E FRAMEWORKS, METHODS, AND TOOLS:

  • Developing and managing Performance Monitoring Plans (PMPs), indicator performance tracking tables (IPTT), and M&E databases.
  • Developing and revising indicators and results frameworks as part of the proposal development process and ongoing program implementation and revision.
  • Developing and analyzing M&E budgets with support from field-based staff
  • Leading internal Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and providing oversight to field-based staff on external DQAs.
  • Managing special studies, annual surveys, and other data collection activities as required by the Director of Program Operations.

REPORTING AND NEW BUSINESS:

  • Provide leadership for, as well as contribute to, key M&E documents, and components of quarterly and annual reports in collaboration with PMT.
  • Reporting to PMT and the OICI Executive team on program progress and performance through knowledge sharing and thought leadership activities.
  • Providing inputs to M&E components of proposals for new business development.

MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Managing evaluation for OICI programs, including drafting scopes of work, managing consultant contracts, and overseeing external evaluation processes.
  • Building capacity of HQ and field staff in data quality and analysis tools and skills; establish and maintain quality standards; establish operating procedures.
  • Participating in USAID and other donor working groups and task forces to remain current on changes to USAID evaluation policy and best practices in M&E.
  • Providing additional support to PMT and the Regional Director for Africa as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Master’s degree in related field with strong quantitative component (M&E, statistics, economics, etc.)
  • At least 5-7 years of M&E experience on USAID-funded programs required
  • Knowledge of USAID/Title II M&E requirements (PMP, IPTT, DQA, etc.)
  • Experience in training, guiding, and managing field-based M&E staff a plus
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Access database required, SPSS a plus
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to work well in teams in US and overseas
  • Proficiency in French a plus
  • Travel required (30% or more)

Program Officer- Health and Nutrition

Job Title:  Program Officer- Health and Nutrition
Location: Washington, D.C
Reports to: Regional Director for Africa
Travel: Up to 40% of the time

BACKGROUND:

OIC International (OICI) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.  OICI’s mission is to build self-reliance and entrepreneurship through technical and vocational skill development. Since 1970, OICI has been implementing programs that invigorate local economies, both rural and urban, by developing its workforce. OICI programs are comprehensive and aim to give individuals the knowledge and tools they need to build sustainable futures for themselves, their families and their communities.

POSITION SUMMARY:

OICI is currently recruiting a Program Officer- Health and Nutrition to work as part of the Program’s Team to provide program oversight and technical guidance for all OICI Health and Nutrition program activities.

The Health and Nutrition Program Officer will be based in Washington, DC and will serve as the primary technical point of contact for all OICI health and nutrition related activities. S/he will work under the supervision of the Associate Director of Programs to ensure the quality of and timely implementation of activities. The specific duties of the Program Officer include:

Program Management

  • Provide leadership, management and technical guidance to OICI health and nutrition activities and act as the primary point of contact for select countries.
  • Develop and manage tools and procedures for project implementation, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, capacity assessment, and/or management consistent with funding requirements
  • Identify, screen and recruit experts and consultants for undertaking assignments on projects and proposals, and prepare Scopes of Work for same.
  • Serve as the OICI technical guide (Health and Nutrition) and backstop all OICI Health and Nutrition projects while assisting with the capacity building of country offices and implementing partners to manage programs.
  • Contribute to the Program department’s annual strategic and work planning.
  • Undertake periodic field visits as may be required to OICI project sites to provide support and technical direction for projects.
  • Develop systems and procedures for monitoring progress and reporting on key program achievements and challenges.
  • Liaise with key project/country personnel to prepare, analyze, maintain and distribute project reports to OICI senior management or donors.
  • Ensure grant compliance with USAID rules and regulations, monitor budgeted expenditures against actuals and facilitate budget modifications as necessary.

Business Development

  • Identify new business opportunities and contribute to the proposal development efforts when needed.

Relationship Management

  • Facilitate a harmonious working relationship with OICI grantors, sub-awardees and OICI affiliates.
  • Represent OICI at national conferences, workshops, and meetings, as requested.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nutrition or International Development with Public Health/Nutrition Concentration or a closely related field. Masters’ degree a plus.
  • 5 years’ experience managing international programs with focus on Health and Nutrition.
  • Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations; prior experience managing a USAID-funded project a plus.
  • Strong written, verbal and communication skills.
  • Attention to detail with ability to work under pressure.
  • This position requires travel at short notice to project sites etc. Interested candidates should be able and willing to travel to remote rural project locations.
  • US citizenship or work permit required.

Program Associate

Job Title : Program Associate

Reports to: Regional Director for Africa

The Program Associate provides support to the Program Management Team (PMT) in four key areas: program management; program budgets; program business development; and program outreach.

RESPONSABILITIES:

Program Management

  • Assist in preparing and submitting required reports for donors and partners accurately and on time.
  • Maintain contact lists and chronological lists of deliverables for all projects
  • Work with program staff to reorganize program files and documents into a comprehensive electronic file management system, which can be accessed by all OICI staff.
  • Facilitate travel arrangements for PMT and expatriate field staff
  • Provide overall administrative support for the Program Management Team, and for other teams as available and needed

Program Budgets

  • Assist in managing program finances including budget tracking,  projections and analysis
  • Communicate any over/under expenditure observations and potential implementation issues to the program manager
  • Ensure correct coding of expenses and required authorization before submission to the Finance Department.
  • On a monthly basis, receive/review/analyze financial reports from the field and partners.

Program Business Development

  • Conduct research for new business development and funding sources
  • Monitor potential partners and donors policies and projects
  • Serve as liaison for programs with the business development team on proposal tasks and background research
  • Participate in proposal development meetings with partners and donors as needed

Program Outreach

  • Monitor literature and recent developments relevant to OICI’s projects, including review of professional journals, and disseminate relevant information to program staff
  • Attend events or conferences as needed to share OICI information and collect relevant information from other INGOs, partners, policymakers, and donors.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Master’s degree in related field (international relations, economics, political science, geography, or other social science)
  • At least one year of experience in international development, preferably related to Africa
  • Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Motivated self-starter; able to work independently, multi-task and meet deadlines

Program Development Intern, Washington, DC

Job Title : Program Development Intern

Reports to: OICI Program Development Associate

Location: Washington, DC

Overview:

OIC International seeks an intern to support key aspects of our Program Development Team. The selected intern will assist with work in the areas of TVET (Technical and Vocational Education Training) programs, fund-raising development and communications.  Tasks will be assigned as a balance between those activities that will provide a meaningful learning experience and those activities that will increase productivity in the organization.

Organization Overview:

Opportunities Industrialization Centers International (OIC International) is a non-profit organization headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At OIC International, we dedicate ourselves to the mission set out by our founder, the late civil rights leader Reverend Dr. Leon H. Sullivan’s vision of self-help and self-reliance through technical and vocational education training (TVET).  Since 1970, OIC International has differentiated itself by creating indigenous NGOs in developing and transitional countries. OIC International uses a sustainable, community-based affiliate model by which an “owner/operator” method is used to instill ownership, consistency and sustainability. Today OIC International is building the capacity of communities through technical and vocational training in agriculture livelihoods, health and nutrition.  OIC International is a global organization with affiliates and training centers in 19 countries.

General Responsibilities:

Interns conduct research and gather information on development initiatives; they play an integral role in the organization and they also provide organizational and logistical support.

  • Research the viability of a new program, campaign, or initiative; compile and present statistics.
  • Create a potential social media strategy, evaluate various social media platforms, or come up with suggestions for how your current social media strategy might be improved.
  • Research and identify the most influential blogs in your industry. Follow them and provide weekly reports.
  • Scan industry media for news items; provide regularly scheduled updates.
  • Accompany employees to outside meetings; have them take an observer role, but ask for their input and ideas (and answer any questions) after you’ve left.
  • Evaluate some area of IT functionality (for tech-savvy interns); ask if they see a way to improve efficiency, streamline programs, or cut costs.
  • Take responsibility for some regular task. Even if it’s as simple as taking, and placing, the Weekly supply order, it will demonstrate follow-through and an ability to take ownership.
  • Create support materials, such as charts, graphs, or other visuals.
  • Plan and coordinate an event or meeting.

Requirements:

  • Background or strong interest in global affairs
  •  Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Advanced computer proficiency; must know Excel
  • Strong research and analytical skills
  •  High attention to detail
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks

Internships are open to university level juniors, seniors, and graduate students, as well as recent graduates.

To apply, please send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample subject “Intern” attention, Vanessa Kilcrest at  vkilcrest@oici.org

The cover letter must state dates of availability and the time commitment per week you would be able to devote to OICI. If you are unsure of your schedule, please include a projected date when this information will become available. Additionally, please indicate if there is a particular area of interest within our organization (i.e.  Food Security, HIV/AIDS and Health, Finance, Marketing/Communications, Fundraising, Agriculture, etc.)

Applications will be received by the Intern Coordinator and circulated to interested senior staff for consideration. If interest is expressed, applicants will be contacted for an interview.