Chief Technical Adviser, SACA

Vacancy No: KABUL/2015/04 Title: Chief Technical Adviser, SACA Grade: P.5 Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment Duration of contract:  One year (with possibility of renewal)	Date: 3 November 2015 Application Deadline (midnight Geneva time) 17 November 2015 Vacancy Notice Closed (automatic)   Organization unit:   RO-ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Duty Station:  Kabul, Afghanistan
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General. In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the following vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their curriculum vitae online by the above date (midnight Geneva time). Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance. The following are eligible to apply: - ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations. - External candidates Conditions of employment are described in Appendix II. The Office is a non-smoking environment.
INTRODUCTION The World Bank (WB) is providing the International Labour Organization (ILO) with over 7 million dollars to deliver the Skills Assessment and Certification Project in Afghanistan (SACA), through the Deputy Ministry for Technical Vocational Education and Training (DMTVET). The project is started in mid-2014 and is for 3 years. The project is nested in the ILO Kabul Decent Work Country Program (2012-2015) and is one component of the Afghanistan Skills Development Program II (ASDP II), funded by the World Bank to create and reform the skills development system in Afghanistan. The project responds to recommendations in Afghanistan's National Development Strategy and the National Priority Program 1 on developing "Sustainable Decent Work through Skills Development and Employment Policies for Job-Rich Growth". The overall objectives of the ILO project are to: 1. Improve the quality of national occupational skill standards (NOSS) and curriculum for priority occupations and sectors in the formal and non-formal sector; 2. Implement NOSS and associated curricula through the major government providers of TVET (MoE and MoLSAMD); 3. Oversee certification of 15,000 TVET graduates by an internationally recognized institution (An equitable division will be decided upon between MoE and MoLSAMD's institutions); 4. Develop a set of core/generic NOSS and curriculum modules for inclusion in TVET programs; and 5. Assess the feasibility of introducing new regulatory arrangements linked to the Afghanistan National Qualifications Framework (ANQF). The SACA project has been designed with two components: Component 1: NOSS & Curriculum Development Component 2: Assessment and Certification Systems Implementation The project will be lead by a Chief Technical Adviser (CTA), and staffed by one international (Senior Expert / Deputy CTA) and two national skills development specialists, national programme officers and other support staff. There is also provision for hiring both national and international short-term consultants. The CTA is effectively the project manager for the project on behalf of the ILO and will work in partnership with a National Project Director within DMTVET. The ILO Decent Work Team for South Asia, in New Delhi, will implement technical monitoring and backstopping, for this project. In addition to the role of project CTA, the incumbent will also be responsible for technical oversight and inputs for Component 1 of the project. Through this component, ILO technical assistance will focus on strengthening standards and curriculum systems based on National Occupational Skill Standards (NOSS). Priority occupations and curricula will be identified with reference to existing GoIRA priorities and available data on skill demand and supply. Within the policy and procedural requirements established by the ILO and the Kabul Liaison Office, the Chief Technical Adviser will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of all aspects of the SACA project including its operational, financial, administrative and human resource management, resource mobilization, country and global operations, the content of training manuals and information materials, and public statements. The incumbent will promote ILO policies in the project related technical areas and other fundamental rights at work. The CTA will work under general supervision of the ILO Senior Coordinator for Afghanistan and will receive technical guidance and support from relevant technical specialists at the Decent Work Team for South Asia, in New Delhi. He / She will be further be supported by a Senior Expert / Deputy CTA. He / She will also oversee the work of international experts (including the Senior Expert / Deputy CTA), national officers and any other international and local consultant hired during the course of the project.
Description of Duties Project management: 1. Ensure effective coordination and planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities, in conformity with ILO policies and project strategies, and in accordance with ILO programming guidelines and country / action programs, and administrative and financial procedures, in consultation with the responsible field office if applicable. 2. Responsible for the effective management of funds/budget assigned to the project. 3. Manage efficiently the human resources of the project / program including recruitment, performance and talent management aspects. Technical leadership and contribution: 4. Provide technical support to the project team and when / if necessary to the stakeholders of the project including relevant government agencies and other key institutions and more specifically act as a technical specialist, together with the Senior Expert / Deputy CTA and the rest of the team, to: a) Undertake curriculum mapping to identify relevant NOSS and current curriculum gaps for priority occupations in key industry sectors. b) Review, update and/or develop priority NOSS and revise curricula to ensure alignment with NOSS. c) Support MoE (DMTVET), MoLSAMD (NSDP) and other major delivery agencies to modify and update standards and curriculum development methodologies and systems. d) Conduct a feasibility study and develop an action plan as required for establishment of the National Vocational Education Training Board (NVETB). Advocacy, networking and partnership: 5. Foster contacts and relations with governments, ministries, the employers' and workers' organizations, non-governmental organizations, target groups and donors, and promote opportunities for collaboration towards planning and implementation of programme activities. 6. Liaise with the other UN agencies counterparts to promote ILO's values, increase the project's visibility and facilitate the scaling-up of the project's interventions. Ensure a more effective coordination with a range of relevant national policies and the strategies of various projects, including those being undertaken by other agencies or in complementary fields of activity. 7. Promote ILO policies in the related technical areas of the project / program, other fundamental rights at work and the relevant International Labour Standards in collaboration with other technical / labour standards specialists. Mobilization of resources: 8. Promote relationships with multi-lateral and bilateral donor community and oversee and monitor resource mobilization proposals in coordination with the Liaison Office and Pardev. Knowledge management: 9. Develop and review project / program information materials. 10. Ensure the development of information systems covering ILO technical activities covered by the project / programme, prepare periodic and ad hoc reports on the status of program planning and implementation, and establish coordination with concerned ILO departments and programs. 11. Identify training needs and organize training workshops and meetings for the tripartite partners, NGOs, other agencies, target groups and staff as appropriate to reinforce the professional capabilities. 12. Represent the Office at project meetings, seminars and evaluations and build and enhance strategic partnerships and sub-regional networks of government policymakers, worker's and employer's organizations and civil society organizations. 13. Any other duties requested by the Senior Coordinator. Required Qualifications
Required Qualifications
Education An advanced university degree in the fields of education, skills development, economics or management.
Experience At least ten years work experience in senior management positions at a national education and training agencies, ministerial departments, large specialist TVET institutions, or large technical cooperation projects. Experienced in the reform of TVET policies, systems, and overall management practices. Experience with competency based training and assessment. Experience with the development of competency standards and competency based curriculum would be an added advantage. Other competitive advantages for this assignment involve: -Considerable knowledge of TVET systems and institutions in developed and developing countries; -Research and development experience in the relevant areas; -Consultancies undertaken on competency based training in developing countries and -Knowledge of the ILO's and WB's policies, rules and regulations. Experience on TVET projects particularly in Afghanistan or other South Asian countries will be considered an extra advantage.
Languages An excellent command of English is required. Knowledge of another working language of the ILO (French or Spanish) and/or Dari would be an advantage.
Competencies  - Proven ability to take ownership of all responsibilities, to act with integrity and transparency by maintaining social, ethical and organisational norms, and to meet all commitments within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards; - Ability to develop clear strategic goals consistent with the project/programme's objectives, and to design and synthesise strategies for programme development; - Ability to advocate and provide policy advice; - Excellent leadership skills, ability to work effectively in a team and excellent interpersonal skills; - Ability to formulate new concepts and methodologies, and to synthesise research and reach empirically based conclusions on related subjects by understanding both the qualitative and quantitative approaches in social science research; - Ability to support the development of training materials, alternative courses of action, project proposals, policy, procedural matters and present them at high-level meetings; - Ability to promote knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office, and to focus and guide others to meet objectives at individual and group level; - Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write accurate reports and to build networks to obtain cooperation with partners; - Should be open to and able to make changes to accommodate culture and gender differences in order to interact effectively with individuals; - Proven capacity to initiate and implement technical co-operation programmes and activities with ILO constituents and NGOs, including negotiation skills with governments, social partners and to mobilise the support of international donor agencies and provide quality services; - Ability to plan and support the development of individual's skills and abilities for a more effective fulfilment of current or future job/role responsibilities; - Develop self-awareness and show empathy by demonstrating the qualities, traits, or attributes that contribute to the ability to effectively relate to and identify with others. - Ability to maintain effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or environment, and to adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures; - Drive to seek or encourage others to seek opportunities for different and innovative approaches to organisation problems and opportunities for improvement.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR WRITTEN TEST.
APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY IF SELECTED FOR AN INTERVIEW.
APPENDIX II CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Grade: P.5 Salary and post adjustment (with dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 87948 rising to Maximum 111097 Post adjustment for Kabul Minimum 48019 Maximum 60658 Salary and post adjustment (without dependants) US$ Salary Minimum 81704 Maximum Maximum 102042 Post adjustment for Kabul Minimum 44610 Maximum 55714
Please note that the above salary levels are determined according to the criteria established by the International Civil Service Commission. The ILO is international public sector employer and salary and other employment conditions are not negotiable. Other allowances and benefits subject to specific terms of appointment: Children's allowance (except for the first child if the dependant rate of salary is paid in respect of that child); Children's education grant (per child per year); Pension and Health Insurance schemes; 30 working days' annual leave; Assignment Grant; Entitlement to transport expenses of personal effects; Repatriation Grant; Home-leave travel with eligible dependants every two years; Rental subsidy (if applicable). Recruitment is normally made at the initial step in the grade. Salaries and emoluments are exempt from taxation by the Swiss authorities and, on the basis of international agreements or national law relating to presence or residence abroad, are generally exempt from taxation by other governments. In the absence of exemption, in most cases tax paid will be reimbursed in accordance with an ILO document which will be supplied upon request. While the successful candidate will be initially working in Kabul, he/she may be assigned to any duty station designated by the Director-General of the ILO.
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit ILO's e-Recruitment website at: erecruit.ilo.org. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants. Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.