International Team Leader "Aligning Education And Training With Labour Market Needs" (ALLED Phase II)

Project Title:                     “Aligning Education and Training with Labour Market Needs” (ALLED Phase II)

Position:                            Team Leader (International)

Starting date:                     01 April 2024

Assignment period:          12 Months with a possibility of extension subject to start of the new project phase

Type of employment:        Full-time position

Location:                            Prishtina/Pristina, Kosovo

Introduction:

The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) is the Operational Unit of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC). It is in charge of implementing all bilateral programmes and projects in ADC's partner countries and administers the budget earmarked for this. Under the European Commission’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance Programme for 2017 (IPA 2017), ADA has been delegated to implement the project “Aligning Education and Training with Labour Market Needs” (ALLED Phase II)”.

For the implementation of this EU and ADC-funded project a Team Leader will be recruited.

The Team Leader is acting under the direct supervision of the ADC Head of Office and the overall supervision of ADA HQ. The Project Management Team is based in Prishtina/Pristina. The working language is English.

The overall objective of the project is to reduce poverty through increased labour market participation and improved employability of youth.

The specific objective of the project is to strengthen the quality and relevance of education and training programmes for the labour market and to support the adaptation of the legislative framework and mechanisms as a precondition for increased employability of youth.

The project has the following five results:

• Study programmes in the public Higher Education institutions serve as a competence hub for the industry and Vocatoin Education and Training (VET) system;
• Professional qualifications and occupational standards meet NQA criteria for validation;
• VET schools and Vocatoin Education and Training Centres offer qualitative programmes based on the Labour Market Needs;
• Education and training system related governance procedures support the alignment of education and training with labour market needs;
• The link between the VET and the business sector is more structured.

The Team Leader is responsible for:

Project Management Team and Project Finances:

• Under the supervision by the Head of Coordination Office, provide overall coordination, direction and leadership for the Project Management Team;
• Responsible for project team controlling procedures (e.g. work plans, communication, Project Operations Manual, etc.);
• Responsible for the overall management of the project in terms of priorities, content, policy dialogue, ensuring overall coherence of approach, linking with other stakeholders, and ensuring adequacy to the needs, the objectives and purposes of the project and delivering timely quality outputs and outcomes;
• Ensure effective project management in regard to contract management, supervising of the staff and hiring external experts, procurement, narrative and financial reporting;
• Ensure that project is implemented in accordance with the Special and General Conditions signed between EUOK and ADA, as well as ADA internal directives and guidelines;
• Continued monitoring and analysis of project environment, timely readjustment of project, determination of required revisions, coordination of budget revisions and closure of project activities in line with all relevant ADA and EU regulations;
• Ensuring the timely preparation of Progress and Final Reports for the EU and Steering Board Meetings;
• Contracting and supporting expenditure verification and evaluation measures;
• Monitoring risks and development of risk mitigation measures;
• Provision of technical assistance to all components;
• Regular reporting to ADC Prishtina/Pristina Office and facilitating monitoring and backstopping missions from ADA HQ;
• Ensure close coordination with the European Union’s Office in Kosovo, the Ministry of Education Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare under the supervision of ADC Head of Office Prishtina/Pristina;
• Liaising with project stakeholders, beneficiaries, other donors and the public;
• Organizing the Project Steering Board Meeting (SBM) and assure the implementation of its recommendations.

Coordination and Representation:

• Ensure close coordination with the European Union’s Office in Kosovo (EUOK), the Ministry of Education Science, Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare under the supervision of ADC Head of Office Prishtina/Pristina;
• Liaising with project stakeholders, beneficiaries, other donors and the public;
• Organizing the Project Steering Board Meeting (SBM).

Visibility:

• Manage and monitor the foreseen communication and visibility activities in liaison with the ADC Coordination Office in Prishtina, the EU Office in Kosovo and support public relation activities related to the project, as required;
• Ensure proper visibility of the project according to EU and ADA visibility guidelines and the project’s Communication and Visibility Plan.

Profile Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in the relevant field (social sciences, development studies, education, economics or related areas);
• Post graduate degree (Master level or higher) is an asset;
• Minimum of 10 years of senior technical and managerial experience in international organisations or development programmes and projects;
• Sound understanding of donor procedures and rules applicable to funding received from large international donors (in particular EU funded initiatives);
• Extensive experience with Project Cycle Management including Financial Management;
• Sound knowledge and understanding of education sector of Kosovo with a focus on Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training;
• Sound understanding and professional working experience in the region of Western Balkans is essential, working experience in Kosovo is an added value;
• Experience in strengthening the capacities of local partner institutions;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective, social inclusion and environmental protection into tasks and activities;
• Excellent leadership and management experience;
• Flexible team player committed to reach results;
• Excellent ability to effectively coordinate a multi-disciplinary team of experts and consultants;
• Business fluency in English is essential, German and local languages (Albanian and Serbian) are an advantage;
• Computer literate with practical experience in Microsoft applications;
• Valid driving licence;

How to apply:

All applications are due by COB 20.03.2024 CET. If you wish to apply for this position, please submit your application (Cover Letter and CV as well as other relevant documents) via our E-recruiting system to www.entwicklung.at/ada/karriere. We ask for your understanding that only those documents that have been uploaded online via the application portal can be considered.

Women are especially encouraged to apply. ADA supports gender equality on all levels and attaches great value to a gender balance in senior positions. In case of equal qualification for the position and at the absence of other outweighing factors, preference will be given to the female candidate. We also welcome applications of persons with a migrant background and/or of persons with disabilities.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence and no application fees or information with respect to bank account details are required by ADA for our recruitment process. Please note that in the event of an invitation for an interview, ADA is unable to reimburse costs incurred. Candidates must expect that references from previous employers will be requested by ADA. Only those candidates who are selected to participate in the subsequent stages of recruitment will be contacted.

Note: These Terms of Reference are intended to provide an overview of the position and the key responsibilities. They may be subject to revisions and refinements based on project needs, ADA regulations, and EU guidelines.

This project position is subject to the pending signature of the Amendment to the Delegation Agreement between the EU and ADA. ADA retains the discretion to re-advertise the vacancy, to cancel the recruitment, or to offer an appointment with a modified job description or for a different duration.