Productive Learning Specialist

Food For The Hungry Inc•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

Responsible for providing specialized technical assistance in the design and implementation of quality youth-focused Productive Learning initiatives, including formal and non-formal learning approaches. The purpose of this role is to strengthen the capacity of country teams to equip young people with life skills, business development, and entrepreneurial pathways that enhance their assets, agency, resilience, and economic participation. The role supports the development of market-relevant, real-world learning models that integrate non-formal education with practical skill-building, linking knowledge acquisition to sustainable livelihoods and enterprise opportunities. Working under the strategic direction of the Productive Learning Lead, the Specialist collaborates with country teams and partners to promote professional excellence, foster enabling environments for meaningful youth participation, and contribute to evidence generation, innovation, and knowledge assets that advance global productive Learning programming.

Requirements

Strong networking and relationship-building skills, with demonstrated ability to engage private sector actors, training institutions, and market systems stakeholders to link youth skills development to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Working knowledge of education systems (formal and informal), youth development, and foundational learning principles, including understanding of transition-to-work pathways.
Hands-on experience in training needs assessment, curriculum and tool development, and delivery of capacity strengthening initiatives in developing country settings.
Proven experience in youth programming, livelihoods development, and business and entrepreneurship support.
Excellent computer skills.
Proficiency in spoken and written English required; Spanish speaking is an added advantage.
Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and meet tight deadlines.
High degree of initiative, flexibility, strategic thinking, and creativity.
Ability to work effectively within a small team and independently with minimal supervision.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, international development, social sciences, or a related field preferred; a combination of relevant education and significant experience will also be considered.
Minimum of 7 years of experience in youth development, business development, education, or related fields, including non-formal learning programming.
Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and scaling youth-focused programs in developing country contexts.
Prior experience in a complex, matrixed, or multi-country organization, with the ability to scale processes and support multiple Country Offices in a professional, service-oriented environment.
Proven track record in capacity building, technical support, and program innovation for youth life skills, employability, and entrepreneurship initiatives.
Vibrant personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a Christian commitment to serving the poor and in full agreement with FH’s Christian beliefs.
Ability to travel 25% of the time per year to insecure countries or locations.

Nice To Haves

Relevant certifications or training in non-formal education, youth livelihoods, entrepreneurship, or training/learning design are added advantages.
Proficiency in spoken and written English required; Spanish speaking is an added advantage.

Responsibilities

Provide demand-responsive technical leadership to design, adapt, and implement youth-focused Productive Learning initiatives that integrate life skills, business development, and entrepreneurship.
Strengthen the integration of youth competencies and non-formal learning approaches within the broader Productive Learning strategy.
Design and support capacity-building initiatives for country-based specialists and youth teams to improve program quality, innovation, and youth engagement.
Contribute youth-focused technical input to product development processes in alignment with organizational strategy.
Provide demand-based technical backstopping to Country Offices to ensure high-quality implementation of youth programming, both formal and non-formal.
Promote fidelity, quality assurance, and adherence to FH standards across youth-focused initiatives.
Support proposal development, annual planning, and program reviews related to youth business development, entrepreneurship, and skill-building programs.
Strengthen inclusion, gender responsiveness, safeguarding, and youth voice to ensure equitable, impactful, and culturally relevant programming.
Support Country Offices in developing strategic partnerships with private sector actors, training institutions, financial service providers, and community-based organizations to create pathways for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
Contribute technical expertise to grant design, proposal development, and pre-positioning for youth-focused funding opportunities.
Collaborate internally across flourishing pathways and technical specialization areas to align youth programming with foundational learning, adolescent physical and mental well-being, business development, and entrepreneurship.
Represent FH in selected external forums related to youth employment, enterprise development, and non-formal learning, in coordination with the Productive Learning Lead.
Contribute to research, innovation, and learning agendas with a focus on youth assets, agency, employability, and entrepreneurship outcomes.
Support development and implementation of monitoring frameworks and learning metrics for youth-focused programs.
Document promising practices, lessons learned, innovative and scalable youth programming models across Country Offices.
Develop youth-focused knowledge products, tools, and learning briefs that link non-formal education to real-world enterprise and creation of assets.
Other duties as assigned.