Advisor for Skills Development (80-100%)

We are a leading organisation for the implementation of international development projects. We promote inclusive economic, social and ecological development to make an effective contribution towards sustainable and widespread prosperity in developing and emerging economies.

Swisscontact is represented in 41 countries with over 1300 employees. The foundation is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland.

The Skills, Labour and Migration Team provides technical expertise and support for internal and external clients in advisory services, training, and research, assures the quality of implementation, fosters innovation, and engages in knowledge sharing in its fields of expertise. It engages in discussions and a regular exchange in internal and external networks, and we are passionate about contributing to thought leadership and the positioning of the organisation in the field of Skills Development.

Our understanding of Skills Development includes the core topics of Initial Vocational Education and Training including the link to basic education, Labour Market Insertion, and Upskilling and Reskilling (Lifelong Learning). We work in close contact with our practitioners and experts working on projects within the organisation in seven regions, and we meet regularly for interesting thematic exchanges as part of our global core working groups.

To complement our dynamic and ambitious team, we are looking for an experienced, highly motivated, outgoing, and client-oriented person who can cover the breadth and manage the diversity of Skills Development projects as a versatile team member in the role of Advisor for Skills Development (80-100%) with effective start from 1 October 2023 or by agreement.

Contract duration: unlimited
Place of work: Zurich, Switzerland or any other Swisscontact office

Tasks

• Provide technical support, strategic guidance, and technical backstopping and advisory of project teams in the field of Skills Development.
• Contribute to the identification of trends and thematic areas where skills development products and solutions are needed, and support positioning Swisscontact’s thematic expertise within and outside the organisation.
• Carry out advisory services, research, training activities, and reviews for internal and external clients.
• Lead and contribute to business development: bid management, partner engagement, bid writing, etc.
• Assume thematic leadership for the working areas “Initial Vocational Education and Training”: (virtual) core group facilitation, member liaison, provision of technical inputs and reviews, identification, and documentation of good practice, etc.
• Contribute to the development of training and capacity building sessions/courses and support their delivery to internal and external audiences.

Requirements

• Graduate degree in Education, Technical and Vocational/Professional Education and Training (TVET/VPET), Labour Market Sociology/Economics or equivalent.
• At least 4 years of project implementation experience, in technical advisory and support to projects in development cooperation, of which at least 4 years in developing countries in the field of Technical and Vocational/Professional Education and Training.
• Specific expertise related to the green transition/green economy, curriculum development, or other specialisation is welcome and an asset. Please disclose this in your application.
• Proven experience in business development incl. bid proposal writing.
• Proven experience in carrying out applied research incl. evaluations in the field of Skills Development.
• Excellent multi-lingual communication, digital and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and spoken command of English and either French or Spanish. Command of German and other languages is an asset.
• Ability to collaborate and co-create with other team members in a decentralised organisation.
• Excellent self-management, multitasking skills and ability to work independently.
• Flexibility and willingness to regularly travel internationally.
• Business-oriented, initiative, dynamic, and ambitious personality.

Swisscontact offers attractive working conditions in an international and multicultural context. We see our work as a joint effort in an agile organizational culture: mutual respect, trust and teamwork.

We look forward to receiving your online application with the following documents in English: letter of motivation, curriculum vitae (no more than 3 pages), diploma, and references. You may include one example of a report or publication authored by you, if applicable. Please apply exclusively via the online application portal.

In case of questions, please contact Sonja Hofstetter sonja.hofstetter@swisscontact.org