POSITION TITLE: TVET Program Coordinator-Somaliland
DEPARTMENT: International Programs
RESPONSIBLE TO: TVET/MFI Project Director
STATUS: Full Time
SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: Local TVET Coordinators and TVET/BDS Assistants
DEPARTMENT/COUNTRY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION/MISSION
The American Refugee Committee (ARC) is an entrepreneurial humanitarian organization that assists displaced people to move from vulnerability to resilience, from impoverishment to a basic level of well-being, and from exclusion to inclusion.
ARC, in partnership with FAO, DFID, relevant Somalia ministries, and existing TVET providers, will implement a market-driven work placement program. The overarching goal is to increase job placements and self-employment opportunities for Somali youth through the provision of market driven skills training and by strengthening strategic linkages among business education providers with public and private sector actors. The TVET program will be linked and build on the achievements of the SEED programs’ two major components: (i) market development in: agriculture, livestock, and fisheries; and (ii) investment climate enhancement including a challenge fund. This program will add value to productive sectors and result in significant returns to youth, women, industry and the wider economy of Somalia. It encompasses both the provision of Business Development Services (BDS) and TVET types of skills training to meet market requirements and complement SEED activities.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION
Under the direct supervision of the TVET/MFI Project Director of ARC for Somalia, the TVET Coordinator will oversee the implementation of an innovative and complex vocational training project in the Somaliland, Puntland and South Central regions of Somalia. He/she will provide technical expertise and strategic guidance for the program staff and its partners. This project includes a wide range of implementing partners and thus the TVET Program Coordinator will play a leadership role in ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among all. Anticipated outcomes of this program include: 400 TVET graduates and establishment of 30 business development services (BDS) providers.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Project start up:
DEPARTMENT: International Programs
RESPONSIBLE TO: TVET/MFI Project Director
STATUS: Full Time
SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: Local TVET Coordinators and TVET/BDS Assistants
DEPARTMENT/COUNTRY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION/MISSION
The American Refugee Committee (ARC) is an entrepreneurial humanitarian organization that assists displaced people to move from vulnerability to resilience, from impoverishment to a basic level of well-being, and from exclusion to inclusion.
ARC, in partnership with FAO, DFID, relevant Somalia ministries, and existing TVET providers, will implement a market-driven work placement program. The overarching goal is to increase job placements and self-employment opportunities for Somali youth through the provision of market driven skills training and by strengthening strategic linkages among business education providers with public and private sector actors. The TVET program will be linked and build on the achievements of the SEED programs’ two major components: (i) market development in: agriculture, livestock, and fisheries; and (ii) investment climate enhancement including a challenge fund. This program will add value to productive sectors and result in significant returns to youth, women, industry and the wider economy of Somalia. It encompasses both the provision of Business Development Services (BDS) and TVET types of skills training to meet market requirements and complement SEED activities.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION
Under the direct supervision of the TVET/MFI Project Director of ARC for Somalia, the TVET Coordinator will oversee the implementation of an innovative and complex vocational training project in the Somaliland, Puntland and South Central regions of Somalia. He/she will provide technical expertise and strategic guidance for the program staff and its partners. This project includes a wide range of implementing partners and thus the TVET Program Coordinator will play a leadership role in ensuring effective coordination and collaboration among all. Anticipated outcomes of this program include: 400 TVET graduates and establishment of 30 business development services (BDS) providers.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY
PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
Project start up:
- Engage micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), business associations and cooperatives in selected sectors - livestock, fodder, honey, fisheries, finance, etc.- to define skill sets required to increase turnover and profits using employer surveys.
- Conduct a gap analysis between academic curriculum and market requirements to identify the training for the graduates to meet market requirements and self-employment opportunities.
- Identify specific private sector players prepared to participate; and identify self-employment opportunities in specific value chains.
- Identify the trade and skills gaps required to improve employment opportunities for youth and women, within the value chains.
- Assess the relevant available curricula and design as appropriate.
- Set-up the management structure of the program.
- Develop and adapt participatory M&E tools with SEED II.
- In liaison with relevant institutions, identify qualified skilled graduates to undertake the training.
- Other duties as requested.
Oversee the implementation of:
- Support TVET Training Programme for 400 Trainees
- Establish representative, multi-stakeholder oversight committees for TVET programming
- Work with business, value chain and education stakeholders to develop relevant curricula, pre and post testing materials
- Provide IBTVET and identify cost-recovery models
- Facilitate ECTVET though work placement and apprenticeship
- Establish student and alumni associations
- Strengthen government capacity
- Hold IBTVET and EBTVET Roundtables
- Provide ongoing advice and capacity building in strategic and policy development
- Adaptation of business skill and financial literacy modules for 30 BDS providers
- Business Skill Development for 30 BDS providers & graduates
- Provision of basic business skills, personal marketing, life skill and conflict resolution techniques for TVET graduates
- Provide mentorship TOT and link business mentors to trainees for ongoing support & networking
- Facilitate linkages between MSMEs, business associations, cooperatives and trainees
- Provide start-up kits and facilitate EVC for new users
- Facilitate Private Sector Linkages
- Adapt and rollout peer-to-peer online investment platform
- Facilitate youth entrepreneur days; social and business networking hubs
- Raise awareness on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) models
- Routine and ad hoc administrative, financial and logistical matters of the program.
- Agreements with private sector players on a work placement arrangement during and after the training period.
- Follow-up and monitoring to ensure trainees are provided with appropriate support in the new jobs and self-created microenterprises.
- Facilitation of program coordination workshops and technical and operational training as needed.
- Completion of projects within budget and on time.
- Preparation of narrative, statistical and financial reports as required.
- Adherence to donor, ARC and government requirements and regulations in implementation and documentation of program activities, procurement and expenditures.
Monitoring and Progress Controls:
- Regular site visits to monitor implementation of the program.
- Quarterly review of subcomponent progress against indicators and targets with updates shared with M&E Officer of SEED II.
- Semiannual progress reporting.
- Mid-term review as part of the larger SEED II Program.
- Revision of Logical Framework, detailed implementation plan and M&E tools in alignment with SEED II as necessary.
- End of project evaluation as part of broader SEED II reporting.
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
- Masters degree in business, international relations, development studies, or similar discipline.
- Fluency in English and strong writing abilities.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive professional experience in development work in conflict affected or post-conflict settings.
- Significant technical experience in implementing or advising on basic vocational training projects in developing countries required (preferably conflict affected or post-conflict settings).
- Strong expertise in areas such as: value chains projects, livelihoods, agriculture and livestock, community work, capacity building, and project management with UN or international NGOs.
- At least 2 years of experience of involvement in TVET programs.
- Strong analytical and evaluation skills of vocational/training programs.
- Ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, formulate options, arrive at conclusions, and make sound recommendations.
- Monitoring and evaluation skills experience.
- Proven skills in budget review, tracking, financial and grant management.
- PC experience: Microsoft Office, Excel, Internet, E-mail systems.
KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES
- Commitment to ARC’s mandate and objectives.
- Experience working with diverse communities.
- Highly developed organizational, liaison and communication skills.
- Ability to work under own initiative and as part of a small team.
- Ability to multi-task, work under pressure and be administratively self-sufficient.
