Expression of Interest: Skills, TVET, Economic Development, Governance, and GEDSI Professionals - Sri Lanka Support Unit 2

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Job Description

The Opportunity

The Sri Lanka Support Unit, managed by Abt Associates, provides strategic, technical and administrative support to Australia’s aid program in Sri Lanka.  

SLSU is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from Sri Lankan international aid and development industry professionals residing permanently in Sri Lanka. International applicants will not be considered. We are calling for applicants with demonstrated experience in the areas of:

• Skills: Extensive experience in skills and workforce development activities particularly with micro, small or medium businesses.

• TVET Sector: Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector related experience focused on developing skilled workforces, capacity building and sustainable business practices.

• Labor market economic analysis: labour market and employment trend analysis at the national and/or regional level.

• Organisational strengthening relevant to SMEs: organisational capacity building including upskilling and reskilling the workforce, workforce planning and development, organisational planning and development.

• Climate change, energy efficiency and the environment: including but not limited to - adaptation, mitigation, resilience, and clean energy, as relevant to small businesses skills sector

• GEDSI: Gender, social inclusion, and disability expertise specifically in relation to skills, SMEs, and TVET.  

• Productivity and quality improvement: Experience in working with MSMEs to build capacity and best practices to improve business productivity and quality measurements for improved business performance

• Sector / industry specific training: subject matter expertise related to specific business segments i.e Agriculture, tourism, retail, manufacturing, industry or services

• Experience in working with small businesses providing business development support and business acceleration guidance at regional level  

• Skills/TVET policy skills:   Policy design, review, and advocacy experience relevant to the skills, SME, entrepreneurship and TVET sectors.

The Candidates

SLSU is seeking a range of subject matter expertise to contribute to our work across Sri Lanka including a demonstrated proficiency in one or more of the thematic areas identified above through holding similar positions advising governments (national or subnational), chambers of commerce, TVET institutions, skills training providers, donors, CSOs or similar clients.

For all roles, we have a strong preference for candidates whose CVs demonstrate:  

Strengths in, and a commitment to locally-led development, gender equity, disability and social inclusion;

The ability to work in teams;

Strong engagement skills with a wide range of government, non-government and donor organisations;  

At least five years of demonstrated experience in the field in which they are applying;

Undergraduate and post-graduate qualifications in fields relevant to the application. Candidates with undergraduate degrees and professional experience are also encouraged to apply;

Language proficiency in Sinhala or Tamil strongly preferred;

Experience working in Anuradhapura and/or Matale districts is highly desirable

Abt is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply.  

How To Apply

Please Note: At this stage we are only seeking expressions of interest. Please send your CV, as well as brief covering note (maximum one page) summarising your interest, and clearly stating which field of specialisation/s you are expressing your interest in. Our team commits to screen and process all applications received.

We welcome and thank all applications, however due to the anticipated volume of submissions, only shortlisted applicant will be contacted. If shortlisted, SLSU may be in contact to request further details, such as an expanded CV or a response against a structured key selection criterion.

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