Program Officer - Life Skills and Vocation Specialist

This is a full-time, on-site position for an Abu Dhabi based non-profit Foundation. The Program Officer will lead the design, development and delivery of structured inclusive programs to provide life-long learning opportunities, upskill youth of determination using Social Emotional Learning and prepare them for vocational and employment readiness. Functional Responsibilities:Lead end-to-end planning, designing, and delivering of inclusive skill development programs that prioritize accessibility, holistic upskilling, and social-emotional learning for People of Determination.Drive cross-functional collaboration with internal teams, volunteers, and external stakeholders (corporates, cultural institutions, healthcare providers) to deliver high quality, community-centered initiatives.Conduct research and benchmarking to integrate global best practices in inclusion, sustainability, and creative education into program strategy.Co-ordinate with families to conduct needs assessments, develop, implement and track goals and development plans. Lead program monitoring and evaluation by developing KPIs, dashboards, and reporting mechanisms, using data-driven insights to inform decision-making and continuous improvement.Standardize frameworks, toolkits, and SOPs for consistent delivery across teams and contexts.Develop and implement programming scalability plans, delivery models and frameworks that support sustainable growth and quality assurance.Build and maintain strong relationships with parents and guardians, ensuring consistent communication, engagement, and involvement in program journeys.Design and deliver tailored trainings, awareness sessions, capacity-building workshops and consultation sessions for public and private sector organizations, educators, and facilitators to promote inclusion, accessibility, and best practices.Maintain a database of interested, trained and ready candidates for internship or employment opportunities and corporate partners and government entities offering vocational training, internships, and employment opportunities. Support PODs throughout the employment journey and monitor progress of placed candidates.Represent the foundation at conferences, forums, and community engagements.Contribute to cross-functional collaboration across teams during all programs and events.Requirements:A university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Social Sciences, Psychology or EducationMinimum 3-5 years of progressive work experience as a Life Skills Teacher, Instructor or Trainer, ideally in NGOs or social impact organizationsUnderstanding of behavior management protocol development  Excellent command of spoken and written English and ArabicDesirable:Experience working with accessibility and inclusionUnderstand concept of supported employmentFamiliarity with tools such as Canva and platforms supporting digital innovation and data-driven decision-makingStrong understanding of behavior management strategiesExcellent communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to work effectively within a teamCreativity in designing engaging learning activities