Learning & Development Facilitator, Generation Work Initiative

Posted by United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey on January 30, 2017

This position is part-time and grant funded.

About Generation Work: This Annie E. Casey funded initiative includes UW/JOIN along with YouthBuild, Philadelphia Youth Network and 1199C Upgrade and Training Fund to increase the number of 18-29 year olds working in Philadelphia through a bold policy and systems change agenda supported by a long -term, national philanthropic initiative. This initiative seeks to align resources, policies and programs across various systems in an effort to scale evidence based practices for young adults. The Learning and Development Facilitator will work closely with the District 1199C Training Fund, the practitioner partner leading the learning community development, and Generation Work Project Manager to facilitate capacity building of the sector in order to increase the number of young adults working in Philadelphia. The position will have matrixed report to District 1199C Training Fund’s Director of Workforce Development and to the Generation Work Project Manager. This position is part-time and grant funded.

In Philadelphia the need for action and change is urgent; nearly one in five young Philadelphians is disconnected – out of work and out of school. Across the country, millions of young people — particularly young people of color and from low-income families — face obstacles to employment or education, and the percentage of young people ages 18–29 in the job market has steadily declined in recent years. At the same time, employers often struggle to find workers with the right set of skills for available positions.

This project leverages the collective expertise of four nationally-recognized core partners in Philadelphia — the UW/Job Opportunity Investment Network (JOIN), Philadelphia Youth Network, YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, and District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund – and connects Philadelphia to a national learning community for eight years of national, philanthropic investment in building the infrastructure needed to get more young adults working.

General Description: Generation Work is seeking a highly-motivated, collaborative professional with superior interpersonal and facilitation skills to fill the role of Learning & Development Facilitator. This role develops, coordinates and facilitates workshops, convening, special events, change management strategies and training materials. The Facilitator co-creates and facilitates peer to peer training and learning, identifying the learning and technical assistance needs presented by the group. S/he has an engagement style that balances the need to build consensus with advancing decisions and reaching goals efficiently. Expertise in economic and/or workforce development, education, youth programming, or policy analysis preferred.

Background and Experience
 Facilitation experience with strong track record
 Experience managing meetings, timing, content effective guidance and steering.
 Experience synthesizing different voices and discussion to cull out the most important information from a discussion.
 Quick learner of new content and issues

Primary Responsibilities:
 Establish clear objectives for all workshops, activities and projects and communicate those objectives to
participants
 Provide a positive environment in which clients are encouraged to be actively engaged in the learning process.
 Codify the group’s learnings, decisions and recommendations to inform the process moving forward and make recommendations to other stakeholders
 Conduct training needs analysis to support development of instructional designs.
 Define learning goals for each training initiative.
 Identify the most appropriate and cost-effective training approach, including selection of training media.
 Researches literature and other materials to assure services are developed to the most current evidence-based practices in the subject of the program.
 Facilitate formal and informal workshops and learning experiences for large and small group presentation.
 Coordinate or perform administrative functions necessary to deliver and document learning and development programs.
 Compile tests and other evaluations to be used to measure learning and performance as a result of learning initiatives.

Communications and Engagement
 Build and maintain relationships with community partners
 Facilitate smooth and consistent communications among diverse audiences

Required Experience & Skills:
 This position requires a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, with at least 3 years of experience in group facilitation.
 A Master’s degree in Communication, Education, Adult Education, or related field is preferred.
 Bachelor’s Degree required, Master’s Degree or comparable experience preferred
 Three to five years of experience in group facilitation
 Superior interpersonal skills; ability to build consensus among diverse array of stakeholders, including public, private and non-profit leaders
 Strong collaborator with dynamic skills, including experience organizing and facilitating meetings
 Experience with project management and demonstrable ability to move work plans to completion
 Proven track record of initiating, cultivating and managing relationships
 Willingness to engage, learn and grow continuously
 Strong verbal, written and public speaking communication skills
 Experience in a fast-paced, dynamic and complex organization
 Microsoft Office skills and experience

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to alatshaw@uwgpsnj.org. Applicants should indicate the position in the subject line of the e-mail. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. EOE.