Header

Regional Technical Vocational Education & Training Specialist, Asia.

About the Role

Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalised with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively.

The purpose of this position is to provide regional leadership and strategic direction for Plan’s Technical Vocational Education & Training programmes in the Asia region. The post holder will be responsible for facilitating the development of Plan’s strategy for TVET in Asia with a particular emphasis on supporting the replication of market oriented TVET models such as ‘Livelihood Advancement Business School’(LABS) and other similar approaches to livelihood enhancement for young people. He/she will serve as the region’s principal point of contact for TVET providing regular technical guidance to at least 4 donor funded programs and strategic support to another 6 to 7 country programs who seek to scale up their TVET programs. This will entail supporting the overall design, development, monitoring and evaluation of Plan’s TVET programmes. In addition to this the incumbent will also be responsible for promoting organizational learning, facilitating resource acquisition, providing technical guidance to scale up and sustain TVET programs and representing Plan with donors as well as in regional and global forums.

Dimensions of Role:

  • As an expert in the area, the Regional TVET Specialist influences Plan’s decision makers -the regional management team, country management teams, countryprogrammeteams - on quality TVET programming, and provides overall quality assurance for 4 donor funded TVET programs and strategic support to another 6 to 7 of the 14 country programmes in the Asia region.
  • The total regional budget for TVET interventions is approx. USD 2 million per year, but is anticipated to grow substantially. The current annual operational budget for the Regional TVET Specialist covers travel costs, annual network meetings and representation at regional and global conferences; however, the Regional TVET Specialist is expected to secure further multi-year funding for regional, multi-country and country initiatives to expand TVET programming in Asia.

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:

  • A comprehensive TVET strategy for Asia will be developed within 12 months, including sub-strategies such as ICT4V, scaling up, funding strategy and organizational sustainability;
  • Plan’s TVET approach to be fully documented and replicated in at least 6 countries;
  • Standardized M&E systems will be in place providing common performance indicators which demonstrate meaningful impact to both the youth who participate in the program and employers who recruit the program graduates
  • Tools will be developed for market scans in order to identify appropriate local employment sectors with sufficient demand for the skills that have been acquired; developing strategy and tools for identification and selection of suitable local training and business partners; ICT4V tools to compliment and enhance traditional face to face teaching methodology, develop cost-effective scaling up model and develop mechanism for following the alumni etc.;
  • Research and baseline studies as well as midterm and final evaluations will be completed;
  • New donors will be identified so that investment in TVET interventions for the Asia region are double and program is scaled up in country as well as in the region from 4 to 10 countries in 3 years;
  • Strategic and operational partnerships will be established at the country, regional and global level;
  • Country and partner organizational capacity will be assessed and action plans developed to address knowledge and skills gaps;
  • Country Offices will be provided with technical support to ensure quality program design and its implementation;
  • Internal/external organizational learning and a knowledge management system is in place to enable Plan to build on the wealth ofprogrammeexperiences and improve the overall quality of TVETprogrammes;
  • Documentation is accessible and disseminated internally and externally through user-friendly and user-oriented channels;
  • Plan is known as a key player in TVET by donors, businesses and communities of practice; and
  • Plan’s is represented at national, regional and international forums.

Dealing with Problems:

  • The Regional TVET Specialist will be responsible for providing technical support across a range of country operating environments throughout the Asia region, some of which have very well developed TVETprogrammesalready in place;
  • He/she will provide overall country and regional management quality assurance and monitor that programs are appropriately designed, program quality standards and targets are being met, and the right partners have been identified;
  • He/she will serve as the region’s principal point of contact for regional and multi-country funding arrangements and will support country office relationships with donors as appropriate;
  • He/she will also ensure that Plan’s Child Centred Community Development and Child Protection principles are built intoprogrammesincluding Plan’s special focus on marginalized groups (especially girls and other excluded groups; and, that there are appropriate linkages with otherprogrammesundertaken by Plan.

Communications and Working Relationships:

  • Influence the countryprogrammeteams and management on the formulation and implementation of TVETprogrammes;
  • Network with regional level key players (including donors, strategic and organizational partners) in the field of TVET to increase Plan’s visibility in the area; and,
  • Foster exchange platforms for the network of TVET Specialists in the region in order to ensure sharing of lessons learned and adoption of best practices across the region.

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

  • Proven knowledge of the latest issues, research, policy and practice in TVET programming in a range of contexts. knowledge of Livelihoods Advancement Business School (LABS) methodology will be a plus
  • Senior professional qualification on TVET and/or related area
  • Up-to-date on latest M&E frameworks, baseline studies and evaluation models
  • Knowledge of ICT integration in education programs and proficiency in the use of ICT
  • Knowledge of the Asian context would be desirable

Skills

  • Demonstrated managerial or senior level technical advisory expertise in the design, implementation and evaluation in TVET
  • Experience in the development of workable guidelines and standards
  • Demonstrated facilitation and training experience
  • Influencing, representational and advocacy skills
  • Excellent communication skills operating at a distance and across a wide variation in cultures

Attitude

  • Self motivated
  • Culturally sensitive
  • Flexible, adaptive while maintaining the big picture
  • Inclusive of others: gender sensitivity and inclusion of those with special needs is central to effective TVET

Physical Environment and Demands:

  • Frequent travel within and outside the region (50%).

Languages

  • Excellent written and spoken English required

Location: This position will be based in Bangkok.

Type of role: 3 Year contract

Reports To: Deputy Regional Director, Programmes

Grade: F

Salary: US$50–65,000

Closing Date: Friday 13th April 2012

This is an accompanied position and full expat benefits will be available.


References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community.

Your online application form can be saved, reviewed and amended before submission.

Click here to Apply for this Job
Apply for this Job