SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND EMPLOYMENT (SDE) PROJECT COORDINATOR - (AATL)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

POSITION VACANT:

SKILLS Development and employment (SDE) PROJECT COORDINATOR

Since July 2014, the Australia Awards Timor-Leste Office (AATL) has managed the Australia Government’s scholarship programs in Timor-Leste, including Australia Awards Scholarships. AATL is managed by Palladium International Pty Ltd on behalf of the Australian Government.

The Australian Government’s overarching aid policy underscores the importance of a skilled population for the growth of an economy.  In particular, it states that Australia will prioritise skills for growth, by improving access to quality assured technical education and training, which matches the needs of the private sector. Skills and employment supports the two objectives of the aid program: private sector development and human development. When well-targeted it also supports women’s economic empowerment, by providing young women with skills to enhance their ability to participate in economic activity.

From 2016, AATL, under a new program name, the Workforce Development Program Timor-Leste (WDPTL) will take on further workforce development activities to improve Timor-Leste’s human resource capacity in targeted areas; and foster ongoing linkages between Australia and Timor-Leste at the individual, organisational and country levels. WDPTL will achieve its goals through the delivery of the following three components:

1.       Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS) for study in Australia and support for returned Scholarship alumni;

2.      Skills Development and Employment (SDE) activities with support for skills, qualifications and employment activities in partnership with the Secretariat of State for Vocational Training and Employment Policy (SEPFOPE) and the National Labour Force Development Institute (INDMO);

3.      Human Resource Development activities for emerging priorities to provide a range of technical and grant assistance including evaluations and designs for a new English language program.

The Workforce Development Program Timor-Leste is currently seeking applications for a full-time Skills Development and Employment (SDE) Project Coordinator.

The SDE Project Coordinator will work across all SDE activities. Supporting SEPFOPE and INDMO, SDE has three sub-components:

•             Skills Development: development and piloting of vocational qualification packages;

•             Employment: support for the employment opportunities including the Australian Government’s Seasonal Workers Program; and

•             Institutional Support: support for SEPFOPE’s institutional capacity, including in labour market information systems.

Responsibilities

a)      Support DTL in coordinating planning and implementation of the three components of the SDE program, including liaison with SEPFOPE and other stakeholders;

b)      Provide support and facilitation of technical activities associated with skills development

c)       Coordination and facilitation of employer engagement activities, including working with the Industry Sub-Commission.

d)      Support DTL and the WDPTL M&E Coordinator to carry out performance and quality activities of the SDE program, including gender and other relevant cross-cutting issues

Essential Professional Attributes and Skills

a)      Demonstrated skills in strategic thinking, evaluation, analysis and innovation

b)      Sound judgement and problem-solving skills to deal with complex organisational issues including; program implementation and stakeholder engagement

c)       A high level of communication and interpersonal skills that can be applied in building productive working relationships with stakeholders

d)      Sound knowledge and experience in program management

e)      Track record of working with stakeholders and government at different levels

Desirable Attributes and Skills

a)      experience in the education, training and development sectors in Timor-Leste

b)      experience with DFAT processes and procedures, particularly those relating to monitoring and evaluation

c)       Bahasa Indonesia and Portuguese an advantage; 

Specific Outputs

a)      Support DTL to prepare annual work plans and budgets for the component activities for the SDE program and ensure alignment to SEPFOPE Annual Action Plans. Assist in the preparation of ToRs for long- and short-term technical assistance;

b)      Provide logistic support for the mobilisation of technical assistance including adviser mobilisation and event management for workshops and training activities

c)       Prepare program documentation and report to the Program Management Unit on all component related issues;

d)      Work collaboratively across SEPFOPE, training providers and selected employers to support the program implementation

e)      Assist in the monitoring and reporting activities for the SDE program, covering the monitoring and evaluation plan, quarterly and annual reports for submission to DFAT and SEPFOPE;

f)       Provide secretariat duties for governance and management committees, including drafting and distributing meeting documents, venue logistic, and drafting and distributing meeting minutes;

g)      Develop high quality first drafts of formal correspondence for the DTL and the Australian Embassy;

h)      Maintain and manage electronic and hard copy files; and

i)        Other duties as discussed and agreed with the Deputy Team Leader or Team Leader.

Working arrangements

The Project Coordinator will be located in the Australia Awards Timor-Leste Office in Dili, but may also work from time to time at SEPFOPE Headquarters. S/he will work in collaboratively with the Directors of National Training Authority (INDMO), National Division for Professional Training (DNAFOP), National Division for Rural Employment (DNE) and other SEPFOPE staff on day-to-day planning and implementation.

Selection Criteria

All applicants must address the five selection criteria below to be considered for this position. Responses to the selection criteria below should be no more than four A4 pages in total. Your response should include examples of results you have achieved and/or lessons learnt from your past work experience.

1.      In the past, how have you supported and contributed to organisational strategic direction through your role?

2.      In the past how have you achieved results with competing priorities and heavy workloads?

3.      Values Teamwork and Builds Partnerships

4.      Works and communicates with influence: Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, both oral and written The ability to speak in Tetun and English (very good oral and written English) is essential

5.      Specific specialist/professional knowledge, skills and experience

a.       Relevant Tertiary qualification in the area of management and education.

b.      Minimum 3 years working experience in development programs funded by international donors.

Duration: Full-Time: (up to 3 years)

Location: Dili, Timor-Leste (Locally Engaged: this is not an ARF position)

Application details

If you are interested, please deliver your CV, along with a covering letter addressing the essential criteria listed above to the Australia Awards Office at:   the ex-Café Aroma site, Rua. Belarmino Lobo, Bidau Akadiru-Hun, Dili, or email your application to: Simon Kaldy, AATL Team Leader, email: simon.kaldy@thepalladiumgroup.com

Applications closes 5pm AEST on Sunday 7^th February 2016. Late applications will not be considered, only successful applicants will be contacted.