Private Sector Engagement and Higher Education Partnerships Specialist

Amideast is a leading American non-profit organization engaged in international education, training and development activities in the Middle East and North Africa. Founded in 1951, Amideast in its early years focused on promoting U.S. study to students in the MENA region and managing U.S. scholarships and exchanges such as the flagship Fulbright Foreign Student Program.  While these important programs continue apace, our work has expanded significantly. Today Amideast programs and services touch the lives of half a million individuals a year – improving educational opportunities and quality, strengthening local institutions, and developing language and professional skills critical for success in the global economy. Read More at: https://daleel-madani.org/civil-society-directory/amideast Copyrights © 2019 Lebanon Support. All rights reserved.

Summary of Position: Amideast seeks a qualified Private Sector Engagement and Higher Education Partnerships Specialist for the anticipated $12M, five-year USAID-funded New Higher Education Capacity Development Activity in Lebanon. This activity will aim to provide technical assistance and institutional capacity building to local higher education institutions and to key official higher education entities in areas such as strategic planning, administrative and financial management, and collaboration with other stakeholders, to improve their effectiveness at the system level and to develop linkages with the private productive sector. The Private Sector Engagement and Higher Education Partnerships Specialist will focus on designing programs that align industry needs with higher education capabilities, resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes for both sectors. The Specialist will work closely with the Chief of Party to establish and strengthen partnerships, with initiatives such as private sector-supported university incubation hubs, joint research programs, internships, externships, and visiting scholar opportunities. This position requires a strategic thinker who understands the intersection of higher education and industry and can drive impactful initiatives. **Only citizens of Lebanon or permanent residents with work authorization will be considered. This position is contingent on funding** 

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic and Technical Support:
  • Provide technical guidance to the Chief of Party, program staff, and consortium partners, addressing challenges related to technical approaches and deliverables.
  • Develop strategies to strengthen collaboration between private sector entities and Lebanese HEIs.
• Partnership Development:
  • Facilitate relationships between the private sector and Lebanese universities to create win-win opportunities.
  • Support HEIs in nurturing private sector partnerships and establishing effective mechanisms for collaboration.
• Sector Engagement and Alignment:
  • Maintain a strong understanding of Lebanon’s priority growth sectors and identify opportunities for collaboration between HEIs and the private sector.
  • Assist HEIs in aligning course offerings and pedagogical approaches with market demands based on private sector feedback.
  • Enhance HEI capacities to meet workforce needs, contributing to job creation and economic development.
• Applied Research and Innovation:
  • Identify opportunities for applied research and technological innovation addressing industry challenges.
  • Support HEIs in building outreach strategies to engage industry groups, foundations, and private sector firms.
• Capacity Building:
  • Work with HEIs to understand private sector skill needs and growth opportunities, enhancing their responsiveness to market requirements.
  • Build institutional capacity for sustainable collaboration with industry partners.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Development Economics, Business Administration, Management, Entrepreneurship Development, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in Lebanon working with the private sector to enhance workforce development and job skills.
• Minimum 3 years of experience collaborating with higher education institutions in Lebanon or the region, preferably focused on increasing market relevance.
• Proven expertise in private sector engagement, workforce development, cluster development, sector analysis, and partnership building.
• Experience providing strategic planning, policy implementation, and technical guidance to host governments and HEIs.
• In-depth knowledge of Lebanon’s private sector landscape, workforce development needs, higher education systems, and economic development opportunities.
• Strong ability to conduct market research and analyze industry trends.
• Demonstrated facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven ability to work both independently and within a team.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills, with sensitivity to multicultural environments.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English is required.