Technical Expert (Skills Training & Employment) Job in Hargeisa, Somalia

About us

For over 90 years, Save the Children has been making a difference in children’s lives in more than 120 countries. 

We are the world’s largest independent child rights organization. 

From emergency relief to long-term development, Save the Children secures a child’s right to health, education and protection.  

Save the Children is an equal opportunity organization dedicated to our core values of Accountability, Ambition, Collaboration, Creativity and Integrity.  

We are looking to recruit for this position to be based in Hargeisa, Somalia.

Title: Technical Expert – Skills Training & Employment 

Somalia/Somaliland Country Office
 
Vacancy Announcement No. SCI/SOM/15/13
 
The Technical Expert – Skills Training and Employment, will provide overall technical advice and support to all projects related to skills training and employment to SCI’s TVET programmes in Somaliland and Central South Somalia. 

It will play a leading role in capacity building of Area teams, partners, consortium members and other local actors in Somalia/Somaliland in the areas of skills training and employment. 

The TE will also play a pivotal role in providing adequate technical support to the Area/operations teams to ensure technical quality throughout the project implementation cycle.

She/he will work with quality programmes and Area teams to promote and disseminate good practices and lessons learned in technical aspects in projects internally and support Area teams in advocacy at Area level on quality education for children.

Technical Expert – Skills Training & Employment

Somalia/Somaliland Country Office
 
Team / Programme: Technical Support Team    

Location:  Hargeisa
 
Grade:  TBC  (Competitive Package)    

Post Type: National or International
 
Child Safeguarding: Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people

Role Purpose: The Technical Expert – Skills Training and Employment, will provide overall technical advice and support to all projects related to skills training and employment to SCI’s TVET programmes in Somaliland and Central South Somalia. 

It will play a leading role in capacity building of Area teams, partners, consortium members and other local actors in Somalia/Somaliland in the areas of skills training and employment. 

The TE will also play a pivotal role in providing adequate technical support to the Area/operations teams to ensure technical quality throughout the project implementation cycle. 

She/he will work with quality programmes and Area teams to promote and disseminate good practices and lessons learned in technical aspects in projects internally and support Area teams in advocacy at Area level on quality education for children.    

Scope of Role:

Reports to: National Thematic Manager - Education

Dimensions: Save the Children works in four regions in Somalia/Somaliland with a current staff complement of approximately 450 staff and current expenditure of approximately US$60 million each year.

Staff directly reporting to this post: TBC

Key Areas of Accountability:

Programme Development 
  • Participate in development of thematic strategy in education in line with Save the Children’s Country Strategic Plan for Somalia/Somaliland programme
  • Participate in development of ambitious yet practical education plans as part of the Country Annual Plans
  • Provide high quality technical inputs in to developing cost-effective, innovative and sustainable proposals related to skills training and employment for children and other priority groups 
  • Plan and ensure adequate budgets are available in proposals for staff, partner, community capacity building in technical areas in line with project objectives
  • Work with quality programmes team to provide technical guidance and inputs to the Area/operations teams for them to develop concept notes and proposals related to skills training and employment as mandated under education strategy
  • Forge links, wherever applicable, with other thematic areas of the country programme i.e. child protection, child rights governance, health & nutrition, DRR and Food security & livelihoods for developing integrated projects for difficult to reach children in Somalia/Somaliland
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
  • Develop and implement a relevant and sustainable capacity building plan for Area/operations teams, partners and consortium members on skills training and employment in education for quality delivery of projects and enhanced local capacity for sustainable promotion of Save the Children’s goals on skills training and employment goals for youth in the Area Programme Offices 
  • Support Area/operations teams and relevant project/programme managers in relevant technical capacity of parents, communities, schools, teachers, institutions and government to improve overall quality and relevance of education for children in Area Programme Offices
  • Build technical capacity in the area teams, partners and consortium members to produce top class donor reports of projects related to skills training & employment, by working with quality programmes team
  • Support the Area/operations team in identifying and addressing technical gaps in planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of skills training and employment projects, in coordination with quality programmes team
Representation and Advocacy
  • Work with other members in education team and quality programmes team to support Area/operations teams in developing local-specific advocacy strategies and messages in the area of skills training & employment and broadly in education. 
  • Support Area teams as requested and build their capacity to lead representation and advocacy in technical, government and civil society fora within the Area, for skills training & employment in education  
  • Participate as delegated in relevant external fora including donor meetings and clusters related to education   
  • Support National Manager in identifying key opportunities and events for Save the Children to position itself as the leading organisation for children’s education issues in Somalia and Somaliland
  • Along with National Manager, identify and secure potential technical resource persons and organisations for their support in advancing Save the Children’s advocacy in the sector. This involves forging partnerships.
Assessment, Monitoring and Evaluation 
  • Work closely with quality programmes and operations teams to ensure that all projects related to skills training and employment components have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guidelines
  • Assist the Area teams in technical assessments of local/implementing partners
  • Assist quality programmes team technically to support Area teams and partners to carry out regular monitoring and measure and report on achievement and progress towards project objectives and results.
  • Along with quality programmes team, organise periodic technical project review meetings with Area teams (programme/project managers) and consortium partners and internally share progress and action
  • Carry out extensive field visits to document observations and experiences and share them with Area, quality and technical teams and influence management action for improvement of technical aspects in projects. 
  • Work with quality programmes team to carry out relevant studies and document and disseminate good practices in projects related to skills training and employment and other relevant education areas. 
People Management and Coordination 
  • Work closely with quality programme and operations team in a matrix management environment for development and implementation of high quality projects in education, specifically skills training both in development as well as emergency situations. 
  • Functionally line manage relevant technical staff in the Area/Operations teams by coaching, mentoring and providing periodic constructive feedback for learning and development and capacity building 
  • Support the development of an organisational culture that reflects our dual mandate values, promotes accountability and high performance, encourages a team culture of learning, creativity and innovation, and frees up our people to deliver outstanding results for children and excellent customer service for our members and donors.
Skills and Behaviours (our Values in Practice)
 
Accountability:
  • Holds self accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
  • Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved
Ambition:
  • Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages others to do the same
  • Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
  • Future orientated, thinks strategically
Collaboration:
  • Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters
  • Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
  • Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to
Creativity:
  • Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
  • Willing to take disciplined risks
Integrity:
  • Honest, encourages openness and transparency
Qualifications and Experience
  • Degree in education or technical/vocational studies or a related field. Additional training in technical and vocational education and training is needed if the qualification is different
  • Recommended a minimum of six years of relevant technical experience including two years at senior level
  • Proven experience of developing and managing skills training and employment  programmes in both formal and informal settings; and in institutional and private/enterprise- based approaches
  • Proven skills and experience in undertaking assessments and designing/writing quality technical proposals in the sector
  • Proven experience in programme development, project cycle management and monitoring and evaluation related to the sector including writing up high quality project/donor reports
  • Proven experience of developing and managing high quality, innovative and cost-effective technical education projects in fragile and insecure environments, preferably in Somalia context and with International NGOs
  • Proven experience and skills in advocacy and building work relationships with local/national governments and influencing institutional, private and/or corporate donors
  • Solid experience and excellent skills in capacity building of systems, staff, partners and other actors related to skills training and employment
  • Ability to extensively travel for project monitoring and provide on-site technical support to field teams
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching
  • Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
  • Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
  • Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in
  • Ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner
  • Ability and willingness to dramatically change work practices and hours, and work with incoming surge teams, in the event of emergencies
  • Willingness to be deployed part or full time in to emergency response as per need and as directed 
  • Fluency in English, both verbal and written, required
  • Commitment to Save the Children values
How to apply

Interested candidates are required to submit a CV and mandatory cover letter quoting the Job Title and Vacancy Announcement No. SCI/SOM/15/13 on the subject line.  

The file name of the CV and attachments must be the applicants name and sent to Somalia.vacancies@savethechildren.org. 

For more information please visit our website www.somaliangoconsortium.org

Applications close on 31st May 2013. 

We work with children, communities and governments all over the world and we believe in the right person for the job regardless of where you come from and how you identify yourself. 

We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to ensuring that only those who are suitable to work with children are considered for these posts. 


All successful applicants will therefore be required to complete a Police Check and must sign onto our Child Protection Policy and organizational Code of Conduct.