Skills Program Officer - Sri Lanka Support Unit 2

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Job Description

•    Sri Lanka Support Unit 2 is seeking a Skills Program Officer to support the implementation and performance oversight of anticipated new skills activities funded through DFAT in Matale district in Sri Lanka.
•    Contract term up to July 2027 - based in Colombo, Sri Lanka
•    Candidates are required to be located in, or in close proximity to, Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts.

About the Program

The Sri Lanka Support Unit manages part of Australia’s aid program in Sri Lanka and provides strategic and technical advisory services to the Australian High Commission (AHC), along with administrative support. In doing this SLSU implements and coordinates the monitoring and evaluation of SLSU-managed investments.  

SLSU Goal: Investments in priority areas as agreed by the Sri Lankan Government and Australian Government are efficient, effective and equitable.  

SLSU Objective: To provide flexible, high quality and responsive support to the Australian Government’s bilateral development program in Sri Lanka contributing to mutually agreed development priorities.  

SLSU’s End of Facility Outcomes are: 1. Effective and equitable investments in priority areas 2. Efficient and equitable platform management.

About the Opportunity

The Program Officer will support the implementation and performance oversight of anticipated new skills activities funded through DFAT in selected geographical location(s) in Sri Lanka. The Program Officer will work closely with the Skills Lead and the Team Leader on all matters related to skills activities and overall program delivery.  

The Program Officer will serve as a central point of contact in selected districts managing all on-ground program activities, ensuring project timelines align with funder priorities and outcomes are successfully delivered. He/she will be working closely with key stakeholders including local government authorities, small businesses, private sector and other relevant community organisations while managing partner’s performance and critical relationships.  

The assignment will have an initial six-month probationary period.  

Suitable candidates are required to be located in, or in close proximity to, Matale district, and to have strong existing relevant networks in the area.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a key point of contact in selected districts in relation to implementation of new skills program activities  
• Provide Skills Lead with timely and necessary operational and technical support and advice which leads to successful regional program implementation, meeting project timelines.  
• Work closely with MERL team and contribute to responsibility for the preparation, data analysis and reporting of monitoring missions, program activities mid-term reviews, final evaluations, and similar tasks grant evaluation processes, including assessing grant applications, and drafting short and long list reports.
• Support due diligence assessments and contracting of new partners in selected districts.
• Coordinate learning and knowledge sharing tasks, including assisting with the design, preparation, implementation, data analysis and reporting of networking forums, communication & outreach events, trainings, learning and reflection dialogues for the skills program.
• Contribute to delivery of onboarding workshops with grantees, covering expectations, relevant policies (e.g. child protection, fraud, anti-corruption, etc.), contract obligations, financial management, risk management, reporting, and branding, communications and public diplomacy.
• Provide oversight of regional partner’s performance and assess progress towards agreed end of project outcomes, including achievement of milestones linked to payments.
• Maintain strong relationships with program partners at districts and divisional level and represent SLSU at meetings, conferences and workshops, as needed  
• Other tasks requested by the Skills Lead or Team Leader.

About You

• Extensive experience working in skills sector particularly with micro, small or medium businesses and/or workforce development programs in selected regions.  
• Demonstrated experience in identifying and facilitating technical, operational and support requirements to address constraints on programs, including leading the implementation of program annual plans.  
• Excellent planning, organising and coordination skills  
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven experience in developing and maintaining relationships with local organisations, partners, government officials, donor representatives and other key stakeholders.
• Excellent local language skills, with fluency in Sinhala language essential. Trilingual applicants will be highly regarded.  
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in International Development or TVET will be well regarded.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people with sexual diversity or disability, are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single requirement for a position. At Abt Associates we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you are excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every role requirement, we encourage you to apply in any case. You may be just the right candidate for this or for other roles.

How to Apply

Please apply online via our Abt Careers website Search Jobs - Abt Global Careers

Please attach a cover letter and a detailed CV as a single document, addressing how you meet the requirements of this role.

Closing Date: 25^th April 2025, 11:59pm, Standard Sri Lanka Time

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