Professional Growth and Innovations Platform (PROGRO) Supervisor

Background

The position of “Professional Growth and Innovations Platform (PROGRO Supervisor” (hereafter “PROGRO Supervisor”) is in direct support of UNDP’s joint project with the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population, titled “Promoting Innovation and Employment in Azerbaijan”, implemented with funding from USAID. The overall goal of the project is to promote youth employment and employability through professional growth trainings and engaging with all relevant stakeholders of local labour markets. The project is implemented jointly with the State Employment Agency under the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population. The project concept includes modern job-seeking methods, entrepreneurship, systematic business and person-to-person networking, professional soft skills for office environment, etc. The project supports youth employment and employability through Youth Professional Growth (PROGRO) Centres in Ganja, Zagatala and Sumgait. By providing capacity building, motivation and networking support for rural youth to improve their workforce capabilities, the project will enhance the employability of the unemployed youth, which will in turn facilitate their integration in local labour market and ensure that the youth’s entrepreneurial energy is channelled to the benefit of local communities and economies.

PROGRO Supervisor will provide the overall supervision for PROGRO Platform in Ganja, Zagatala and Sumgait, while simultaneously serving as the Coordinator of Sumgait PROGRO Center. The incumbent will report to Project Manager of “Promoting Innovation and Employment in Azerbaijan” project and will be responsible for ensuring a) effective performance of PROGRO Center in Sumgait and b) stronger coordination among all PROGRO Centers in Ganja, Zagatala and Sumgait. For this purpose, the incumbent will administer the participant selection process and training workshops on career planning and professional development for unemployed youth, ensure safe and efficient operation of PROGRO Centers, and liaise actively with key stakeholders in local labor markets, including the youth, employers, universities and other relevant agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Represent the Professional Growth and Innovations Platform (PROGRO) in meetings with UNDP, MLSPP, USAID, local businesses, universities and other relevant stakeholders.
Plan, initiate and oversee implementation of appropriate project services, events and activities towards accomplishment of the project’s key objectives.
Plan and oversee each training cycle, including the participant selection, at PROGRO Centers in accordance with the standard PROGRO methodology, including on-site and online activities and conducting the job search, career planning, professional development and other trainings for unemployed youth according to the PROGRO methodology.
Plan and oversee the timing and implementation of English language courses at all PROGRO Centers, and oversee the performance of English course subcontractor, including the quality of their English instruction, targeted numbers of beneficiaries acquiring Intermediate English language proficiency, and overall reporting/monitoring of English course subcontractor.
Plan and oversee the PROGRO Platform’s effective PR visibility, including promotion of PROGRO activities and events among local youth, employers and project stakeholders, quality performance and monitoring of PROGRO.az Web Portal, and PROGRO’s active presence on social media.
Ensure proper integration of PROGRO materials/resources with English courses, such as organizing presentations on soft skills in English, attracting English course participants to PROGRO’s web resources and job finding assistance, including English course participants in PROGRO trainings and networking events.
Ensure the quality of M&E aspects of PROGRO activities, including: Inform Project Manager promptly about PROGRO- and project-related issues, risks, recommended actions, milestones, and success stories; submission of regular reports summarizing the results achieved by PROGRO Centers and English course subcontractor; observations related to youth employment in local labor markets; information of selection, content and achievements of participant cohorts; complete participant records; and any/all information on project context and data on key indicators as requested by Project Manager.
Provide logistical support during project events, site visits or monitoring trips, as well as general admin support to ensure smooth performance of PROGRO Centers (security of premises, safety protocols, facilities, internet connectivity, office supplies, etc.).
Perform any other tasks required for successful implementation of PROGRO Platform or as requested by Project Manager.

PROGRO Supervisor will report directly to Project Manager of “Promoting Innovation and Employment in Azerbaijan” project.

Competencies

Core competencies

Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Delivery: Ability to get things done

Level 2: Execute & Learn (Perform defined tasks)

Functional competencies

Persuasive communication skills with diverse groups of people (youth, business owners, educators, officials, etc.)
Knowledgeable about the issues/prospectives in local labor markets or private sector in target areas
Able to generate innovative ideas and technology oriented initiatives, especially for collaborations with businesses, online learning and project monitoring/reporting
Competent in teamwork, leadership, time management and conflict resolution
Demonstrated competence in digital skills for writing emails and reports, working with spreadsheets, making presentations, managing chatrooms, conducting online events, etc.
Demonstrated competence in basic social media skills for administering social media accounts, copywriting draft posts, running ad campaigns, etc.
Demonstrated competence in web administration skills for overseeing the PROGRO.az web admin panel, planning and posting blog articles, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in education/teaching, business or economic related fields

Experience:

At least 3 years of work experience as instructor/trainer, administrative support, youth, and/or private sector
Previous experience with international organizations or UN agencies will be an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in Azerbaijani is required. Working level of English is required.