Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion. Beyond our competitive compensation, full array of insurances, generous 401(k) plan, parental leave, commuter subsidy, career development, we also offer a vibrant, friendly, diverse, inclusive, passionate, and inspiring work environment.

The Technical Director, Youth and Gender is responsible for leading the implementation of ACDI/VOCA's Youth Strategy through the provision of technical support to project-based teams and new business initiatives, and development and dissemination of high-quality technical approaches and resources. As part of the Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) Team in the Technical Learning and Application (TLA) Division, the Technical Director will report to the Vice President, Gender and Social Inclusion and will manage staff members that are assigned to report to this position. Duties and responsibilities will fall under four operational categories: technical support and services (approximately 40%), new business development and design (approximately 30%), organization-wide learning and resource development (approximately 15%), and management of staff (approximately 15%).

Master's degree required in international development, international studies, gender studies, behavioral or agricultural economics, agronomy, sociology or other related field preferred. Additional years of experience will be considered in lieu of advanced degree.
• Minimum of seven (7) years' experience, including overseas work, in international development or related field.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally required; may be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 based on country requirements.

The salary range for this position is $87,770 to $131,086; the candidate's relevant experience and skills, as well as our internal equity, will be considered before an offer is extended.

Lead implementation of ACDI/VOCA's Youth Strategy in support of ACDI/VOCA's Gender, Youth, and Social Inclusion (GYSI) Practice: Ensure technical quality and provide support to project teams.

• Lead and support the operationalization of the ACDI/VOCA Youth Strategy, including the development of organizational strategic priorities for youth programming, coordination of technical resources, organizational learning questions and indicators.
• Provide ongoing, responsive technical support and guidance to projects to enhance quality application of ACDI/VOCA's GESI Policy, GenderFirst, and/or Positive Youth Development approaches.
• Lead and/or oversee discrete and ongoing technical services collaboratively with project teams, including initial startup staff trainings, conducting GYSI analyses, designing project strategies and facilitation activities, developing GYSI strategies and action plans, and developing strategies for engaging youth in project activities.
• Lead, design, supervise, and support research encompassing innovative, high quality mixed- and complexity-aware methods, qualitative and quantitative studies that adhere to ethical standards.
• Provide ongoing mentoring and technical guidance during annual work planning, and inform appropriate monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches.
• Build capacity of project teams to implement ACDI/VOCA's GESI Policy, GenderFirst, and/or Positive Youth Development approaches through facilitated training and remote engagement.
• Write insightful products for diverse audiences, including research reports, white papers, and other outputs, such as learning briefs and reader-friendly blogs.
• Collaborate with Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) staff to integrate gender, youth, and social inclusion in the development of conceptual models and MEL frameworks that guide research as well as program evaluation, design, and adaptation.
  
  

New Business Development: Provide technical guidance and leadership to new business teams and develop proposal content.

• Lead and coordinate organizational positioning, identification, and prioritization of strategic youth opportunities, including development and management of partner relationships.
• Provide technical oversight and support to proposals, ensuring gender, youth, and social inclusion are effectively integrated throughout the proposal process.
• Serve as technical writer, contributing writer, or subject matter expert for proposals.
• Integrate best practices for Positive Youth Development and engaging youth in climate-smart agriculture, inclusive market systems, resilience, food security, and nutrition.
• Build strategic relationships with key donors and other partners that support ongoing business development in gender, youth, and social inclusion.
  
  

Organizational Learning and Resource Development: Promote and cultivate collaborative opportunities for learning and sharing internally and externally.

• Provide leadership in promoting and enhancing ACDI/VOCA's Positive Youth Development, youth engagement, and/or GYSI approaches.
• Lead, oversee, and facilitate the dissemination of learning, promising practices, and resources on Positive Youth Development, youth engagement, and/or GYSI from project offices across the organization.
• Engage with partners and thought leaders in the industry through external events, professional development opportunities, working groups, and communities of practice.
• Strategically promote ACDI/VOCA's image as a learning organization with technical strengths in gender, youth, and inclusive agriculture and market systems. Foster good relationships with industry partners and individuals and participate/present at international and domestic meetings, workshops, and conferences.
  
  

Technical Supervision: Supervise technical staff through ongoing coaching, mentorship, and managing youth technical assignments.

• Manage staff reporting to this position, including providing technical supervision, coaching, and mentorship.
• Determine resource allocation to projects, proposals, and technical initiatives, particularly related to youth technical support needs.
• Identify capacity building needs and provide recommendations for professional development.
• Instill, strengthen, and promote a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within the team, driving behaviors that staff will emulate.
  
  

Additional duties:

• Host or attend in person meetings as needed, when required.
• Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Exceptional leadership, management, analytical, and critical thinking skills with the ability to work across a global, matrixed organization.
• A collegial management style that emphasizes both achieving results and working in a highly skilled, collaborative, and diverse team.
• Master's degree in international development, international studies, gender studies, behavioral or agricultural economics, agronomy, sociology or other related field preferred. Additional years of experience will be considered in lieu of advanced degree.
• Minimum of seven years' experience, including overseas work, in international development or related field.
• Demonstrated experience and technical knowledge of positive youth development within international development, particularly related to workforce development, climate-smart agriculture, and market systems development required.
• Demonstrated experience and technical knowledge in gender and social inclusion within international development, particularly related to food security, climate-smart agriculture, market systems development, and nutrition required.
• Experience with USAID and USDA agriculture and market systems programming, particularly Feed the Future and Food for Peace, strongly desired.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods and standards, with field research experience required.
• Experience conducting gender analysis/assessment and gender training for US and overseas audiences required.
• Strong interpersonal and team skills, with ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Fluency in English required. Professional proficiency in French or Spanish strongly preferred.
• Must be available during core business hours and/or operating hours for international time differences; flexibility to work more hours when needed.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally required; may be required to be fully vaccinated against Covid 19 based on country requirements.
• Must adhere to our company's Health Safety Code of Conduct and demonstrate the organization's commitment to sustaining a healthy and safe work environment.