Vocational Training Programme Specialist

Vocational Training Programme Specialist Consultative Services Regarding a Vocational Training Programme and System in Basrah, Iraq

Project:
No of Jobs: 01 (one) Duty Station: Amman / Basrah / Home-Based Duration: 02 Months Starting Date: ASAP Closing Date:

OVERVIEW OF CTG GLOBAL CTG Global is a Personnel Management Service Company specialised in Recruitment, Management Consultancy, and Human Resources in countries experiencing or emerging from armed conflict, natural disasters, or acute social and economic crisis worldwide. CTG Global provides tailored personnel management support enabling a growing number of public and private sector agencies and individuals to achieve their objectives in complex and challenging environments. CTG Global clients currently comprise UN agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and different corporate organisations such as security companies.

OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION Background: In recent years, oil production contracts have been given to various International Oil Companies (IOCs) to operate in Iraq. These IOCs are strongly encouraged to maximize their hiring of Iraqi employees/contractors and usage of Iraqi supplies, but this has proven difficult as economic difficulties and wars experienced by Iraq over the previous 30 years have depleted the nation’s supply of skilled labour. The Ministry of Oil has recognized the need to enhance the entire Oil & Gas supply chain via capacity building of the Iraqi labour force and local contractors. Keeping in mind the new Iraq Integrated National Energy Strategy (INESTA), the MoO seeks a holistic improvement in the capabilities and skills of MoO staff and the entire Oil & Gas sector. A key area in which our client will provide support is scoping the potential for a comprehensive vocational training programme in Iraq. An approach the previous Iraqi regime took to address regional and governorate labour supply gaps was to build or support the building of several vocational training centres (VTCs). However, these VTCs were built decades ago and many have fallen into disrepair again due to Iraq’s difficulties over the previous 30 years. Those VTCs that are offering courses often do so on an ad hoc, on-demand basis without uniform standards for safety and facility quality, without standardized course curricula, and without effective strategies for ensuring that VTC graduates have reliable access to job opportunities. This includes both currently (through local partnerships and mechanisms), and in the future (through providing universally-accepted certifications for graduates). To this end, our client in partnership with Shell Petroleum Iraq is considering modalities and strategies to improve vocational training delivery in selected VTCs in Iraq in collaboration with MoO and regional MoO bodies, such as South Oil Company (SOC) in Basrah. A Vocational Training Specialist is required to serve as our client’s focal point to first conduct a broad range of research related to vocational training delivery and standards in the Arab world, then to support our client, Shell, and the MoO to develop a suitable training programme. Ensure that the vocational training programme implemented is not only effective in the short term, but applicable in the long term. This programme must also comply with the overall objectives of our client, the donor(s) and the Government of Iraq.

GENERAL FUNCTIONS

Objectives • Overall Objective: Provide Vocational Training expertise in developing and supporting the implementation of a vocational training aspect of our client’s overall labour force development initiative. • Specific Objectives: o Support to MoO a. Review both the existing and the previous (3 years old) MoO Training Needs Analysis to determine current gaps, requirements, and challenges, in light of the INESTA b. Support MoO’s Baghdad Oil Training Institute to make comparisons of Job Role Descriptors (JRDs) to determine international standards for similar job roles, and support in developing an action plan to improve/address gaps. o Support to SOC a. Support in the development and initial phases of delivery of a pilot vocational training programme in Basrah, in collaboration with SOC. This will include: • Researching relevant Vocational Training Centres and expertise providers in relevant countries, to determine optimal sources of experts and trainers of trainers (ToTs) for future capacity building programmes through MoO/SOC • Coordinating with Iraqi counterparts the desired standards and certifications sought under the vocational training initiative and capacity development initiative for the MoO. b. Conduct an assessment of SOC Trainers, to determine the way forward for the programme envisaged above. This will include: • Travel to Basrah, Iraq to assess trainers in person and through existing SOC information and documentation • Prepare a detailed assessment report on the way forward for these trainers • Incorporating report recommendations into the plan for the programme envisaged above. c. Support in the development of a plan for the rehabilitation and re-fitting of the Welding Workshop (and possible other facilities/sections/trade shops as needed by SOC) at a SOC vocational training centre into a modern centre that: • Will help meet forecasted Oil & Gas sector labour and skills needs in the surrounding areas • Meets international standards for accreditation and certification of training and trainees (Opito, ISO, etc.).  This may require research, communication and/or cooperation with the relevant international certifications organizations such as OPITO d. Review currently available training materials on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), Procurement, Contract Management, Entrepreneurship, and Training of Learners. This shall be done through independent research as well as the materials provided by previous counterparts. • Review and research on the relevant international standards relevant to these specialties • Review and research on the skill levels in these specialties sought by MoO and SOC • Recommendations on how to revise these training materials to match the relevant international standards and the specifications set out by MoO and SOC. • Recommendations, based on concrete opportunities available in Basrah, on how trainees can best learn and apply the lessons provided in these courses, for optimal knowledge retention.  In particular, consideration should be given to methods such as on-the-job training, apprenticeships, and/or peer shadowing.

In addition, the Consultant will also be required to attend any meetings, discussions, strategy sessions, site visits, teleconferences, and other such events which require the Consultant’s input or which will help crystallize the overall makeup of the envisioned training programme.

Time and Method of Payment • The Consultant shall specify a fees rate per working day for home-based and for Amman (or Basrah, or any of our client’s mission)-based work. • Payment shall be provided upon satisfactory completion of the tasks required. • Payment requests submitted by the Consultant must be certified by the supervisor(s) specified below in 7. Reporting.

Key Performance Indicators during implementation of Services Key Performance Indicators to indicate progress of tasks will include number of meetings joined, ability to synthesize meeting notes into programme action points, and ability to devise programme strategy. However, performance and payment are fully linked to the Consultant’s ability to deliver the above-listed deliverables.

Reporting The Consultant shall report directly to ERPA’s Head of Area-Based Development and Delivery of Local Services. Additional supervisory input shall be provided by the Head of ERPA, and the ERPA Multi-Sectoral Project Management Advisor.

Travel Plan

Country / City # of Travels

1 Jordan / Amman (from home country) 2 2 Missions (Iraq, UAE, etc.) based on project need (from Amman) 2

Working Arrangements • An estimated 50 working days will be required of the Consultant. The number of estimated working days in each of the required locations of this assignment are: • Amman: 25 working days (expected) • Basrah: 10 working days (expected) • Home-based: 15 working days (expected) • These estimates are subject to change based on project needs, timelines, and discussions with project counterparts. • This assignment shall end on 22 August 2013. • Required flight tickets and per diem (Daily Subsistence Allowance, DSA) will be provided per our client’s Iraq’s standard rules, regulations, and rates.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

Education • University degree in Education or Teaching required • Master’s degree or PhD in Education preferred • Focus on Vocational Training/Guidance preferred • Focus on Project Management and Strategy preferred • Certifications in Vocational Training preferred

Work Experience • The Vocational Training Specialist should have a minimum of 20 years of international experience in teaching and specifically vocational training. • Teaching and vocational training experience in crisis or post-conflict countries is essential. • Experience delivering employment and training programmes in countries with high unemployment and skilled labour demand/supply gap issues is essential. • Experience developing training solutions for the Oil & Gas sector is preferred. • Project management experience - in particular within a complex environment involving multi-disciplinary teams within volatile security situations – is strongly preferred

Competencies The Consultant must display the following basic competencies: • Sound management expertise in designing short-term and long-term vocational training strategies; • Excellent interpersonal skills • Experience in remote work and management • Expertise in provision of technical advisory services on vocational training; • Project planning, design and management; • Ability to plan and prioritise work activities to meet organizational goals, and to organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results; • Political, cultural sensitivity and commitment to diversity; • Ability to communicate effectively with and relate to people of different cultures, demonstrating an ability to see issues from different perspectives

LANGUAGES • Fluent/Native English (writing and speaking) is required • Arabic (speaking and/or writing) is strongly preferred but not required

How to apply:

Applicants should send a letter of application and their CV to careers@ctgglobal.com. Please subject your email with BHJOB2678_315.